HayesGreener
Ronin
I have 1911's with both style guiderods. I see little difference in function
Full length guiderods
- Thread starter EmberTRPCC
- Start date
Annihilator
Hellion
Actually, the only difference to me is the 2-piece guide rod the spring won’t kink or bind since it will ride the guide rod, with the regular guide rods I have seen evidence of springs binding at times.
I'm aware of the Wilson and other options. I've been amateur armoring/smithing on 1911s for a number of years now. I wanna be Jason Burton when I grow up!
I just don't like anything that makes my 1911 more difficult to field strip. A FLGR definitely makes a field strip more awkward, even if no tools are required. It's a personal preference thing.
I've replaced the FLGR on every 1911 I've ever owned (government length, commander length, and a few Springfield Armory 4.0 inchers) with a GI guide rod/spring setup. Maybe we should trade parts
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^^^^^^ THIS! ^^^^^^
It's not really a matter of function, given appropriate spring weights. It's the field strip operation.
If that embarrasses any of ya, you certainly would not want to read the pieces I've written concerning usage of pin gages!! LOL.Like this nice and tight.
Talyn
Emissary
Wilson Combat (or whoever's you purchase) thanks you for your business!
I'll likely go with the Ed Brown 2-piece.
Interesting. It is possible, I know, for an out-of-spec spring to solid stack. I have a quick question for ya: Have you ever checked to see how little rearward travel the slide must cover before the ENTIRE spring is fully encircling a standard GI guide rod? It's not very much, in either the government length system or in the commander length system. The stacking I refer to MUST be carefully checked for if one converts a four incher to the commander system... It will work as long as the spring doesn't stack solid before the rear of the bottom lug feet contact the vertical impact surface. If it does and one runs the gun that way, it won't be very many rounds before the spring cap gets punched out (or the barrel bushing gets broken) and the slide and spring go sailing down range.
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USMC6094
Professional
Neither do Springfield Armory FLGRs, except an Allen wrench.......
[Please pardon me for replying to myself. I don't intend to come across as adversarial on this. Therefore, I want to provided a modified version of my response which more accurately reflects my thoughts and experience:]
Interesting. Elimination of spring binding is an argument frequently put forth by proponents of the FLGR system. Proponents of the GI guide rod often assert that spring binding cannot happen. I'm not sure which side is correct. I simply know that both sides of the argument can't be true. I have a quick question for ya: Have you ever checked to see how little rearward travel the slide must cover before the ENTIRE spring is fully encircling a standard GI guide rod? It's not very much, in either the government length system or in the commander length system.
It is possible, I know, for an out-of-spec spring to solid stack. The stacking I refer to MUST be carefully checked for if one converts a four incher to the commander system... It will work as long as the spring doesn't stack solid before the rear of the bottom lug feet contact the vertical impact surface. If it does and one runs the gun that way, it won't be very many rounds before the spring cap gets punched out (or the barrel bushing gets broken) and the slide and spring go sailing down range. For this reason, it's advisable to check your replacement springs in both the government models and the commanders too!
rcurtner
Hellcat
Have a DW Vigil 45acp & S&W 1911PD 45acp both commander length and light weight frames. Installed WC full length guide rods never had any malfunctions in either of them.
I'm not arguing that a FLGR is any more or less RELIABLE / FUNCTIONAL than the GI guide rod setup. It is all about the convenience of field stripping the gun. That's where the GI guide rod setup shines over the FLGR. But, everyone gets to choose for themselves. That's the cool thing about guns. There's so many of them with so many variations. Surely even the most picky person can find something that suits them. To each their own.
Hi, @Grayfox ! Since I'm relatively new here, I'm a bit unsure about how many previous discussions on the topic of 1911 full length guide rods have occurred in the past. Judging by what I've observed in the past on other forums (which shall remain unnamed by me), it must be something which comes up repeatedly on any forum where 1911s are discussed.We've discussed FLGRs here before. My opinion is well known.
But if the OP wants to put one in, its his gun.
It sounds as if you and I share the same opinion with regard to FLGRs in 1911s, which I have expressed in this thread. I'm hoping that the original poster, @EmberTRPCC , got his real question answered regarding the possibility of damaging his alloy frame IF an FLGR was installed. I realize that the ensuing discussion is all very likely a rehash of what's gone before.
I'm of the mind that if someone really, really wants to do something with their own gun, it is their property to do with as they please. I'm glad that @EmberTRPCC reached out here to get an answer. Beyond getting an answer to his question, what he chooses to DO afterward is his business and no skin off the nose of anyone else here. It's always fun to discuss these things, even if we are beating the proverbial dead horse. I have to assume that not everyone is up to speed on a given topic (just as I have to assume there are some far more knowledgeable than me), so the probability that the discussion is a rehash doesn't really bother me. Differences of opinions keep life interesting and I don't have to have my opinions (and knowledge) validated to enjoy the discussions.
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