Posted: 6/9/2008 11:43:30 AM EDT
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So I'm in the market for a 1911, but I have a two questions: 1. What is the advantage of a beavertail grip safety over the standard? 2. What is the advantage (disadvantage?) of the Full-length Guide Rod? What is the alternative? Thanks for the great board! C |
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As a relative newbie in 1911s consider the following in that context: Q 1 The beavertail grip safety eliminates the possibility of hammer "bite" caused by the hammer recoiling into your the web of your hand between your thumb and forefinger. This may or may not be an issue depending on how you hold/shoot the pistol. I never had a problem with the conventional non-beavertail config but have it anyway on most of my 1911s. Q 2 Assuming you're talking about a standard size 1911 with a bushing/barrel configuration, there has been no justification I've seen for a full length or two-piece guide rod, and there are numerous negatives. Both of my Springers have been converted to the G.I. configuration. Certain 1911 configurations--bull barreled and SA Champions for example require full length guide rods to function properly. Don't know much/anything about those. Just stay away from the two piece configuration for the standard size 1911s with bushed barrels. |
The original intent of the FLGR was to ensure the recoil spring contracted & expanded in a somewhat smooth & utterly reliable fashion. Some argue it was never necessary, some would argue that many 1911s needed all the help they could use in the reliability department. Some don't just think about them if their 1911 had one from the factory, they just leave it alone. Others change theirs first thing to the original shorty type. There was also a company for a while called Haarts (or Harrts?) whom made a FLGR that had balls of mercury in them to absorb some kinetic energy & cut down on muzzle flip. They did help some, as I have one on my mil-surp Springfield 1911 Govt. model. There's no problem at all switching back & forth between the two until you decide which you prefer. I use FLGRs on the models that came with them, personally. An extra 30 seconds on a field strip isn't an issue with me. My .o2 
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Beavertail = Good, prevents hammer bite and allows for a high hold. FLGR = Bad, prevents user from press checking and one hand manipulation of the slide. The two piece styles can come apart and disable pistol. They almost always require a bushing wrench for tear down. ranburr |