Posted: 6/6/2009 9:20:31 AM EDT
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I was looking at a TRP at my local shop. I looked in the guide rod and saw some chips in the guide rod. Is this normal? Is it from the tooling? Thanks for any info.
NOT MY PIC 
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If that's a new pistol, it doesn't look exactly pristine. I don't recall seeing that on either of my two pistols that had the two-piece guide rod, but I didn't necessarily look for it either. Other than for take-down, that's a non-functional hole so the blemishes/flaws/chips shouldn't be of any concern functionally. Looks like that particular pistol has been disassembled several times. If its used or new, those marks shouldn't affect your decision to purchase if they're the only issue.
The two-piece guide rods in my pistols didn't last long for a couple of overly- discussed reasons, and they've long been replaced by the conventional short G.I. system. |
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The pic is one that I found on 1911 forum. I was at my local shop and put a TRP on lay-a-way. When looking over it I saw that stuff in the guide rod. I've been reading that people switch out the rod anyway but for the money that I'm paying I had to ask it what I saw was normal. The guy at the shop didn't know so I came here. Does anyone know what if could be?
ETA= This is my first 1911 so sorry for the question. |
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No need to apologize for the question. As far as the source of the "distress" on the end of the guide rod, I have no idea. Looks like careless work with the allen wrench.
A lot of owners replace the two-piece guide rod with a standard G.I. system because the two-piece tends to unscrew during use (not for everyone), the two-piece is a bitch to reassembly because of the sharp edges on the plug, and last it requires a tool to reassemble/assemble (an allen wrench). Some have no problems and for those, there's no reason to change. No-one can identify any operational advantages to the two-piece system, so if it's causing issues why keep it? The replacement hardware is available from many sources. I used Ed Brown parts––short guide rod and plug. No need to replace the spring. The Ed Brown hardware runs about $25 and the parts are an absolute drop-in. No fitting required, and a heck of a lot easer to install (for me at least) than the factory two-piece system. |
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I think he's talking about the inside of the hex socket.
That's a byproduct of the process that forms those sockets. Nothing to worry about. Mine didn't worry me long at all, since shitcanning the horrible two-piece guide rod was about the first thing I did. I suspect that Springfield has only one reason for installing these –– to make the slide/frame fit feel tighter than it is. |
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Thanks guy's for the info. I feel better. On another note besides the guide rod what should I be looking to upgrade? (Guide rod, polish feed ramp, ect) More for fuction then anything else.
Quoted:
hey VR-15 did you put the 5" on lay away? I was at mikes on friday looking at the 5" just curious if you beat me to it? Yes I got the 5" but I didnt go to Greens if that's what you are asking. That's the only Mike I now so your still GTG. |
| I wouldn't even change the guide rod until you've proven to yourself that the factory configuration needs fixing. Functionally, you wont be able to tell the difference except for the occasional annoyances noted. As for other "upgrades", you're paying a lot of money for a pistol with the upgrades included. I wouldn't start changing stuff just for the sake of change. Get some time with it and go from there. |