1911 Guide rods - how do you feel about them?

[Claven2]

How do you feel about guide rods in 1911's? If you like them what kind do you like? Are there types you avoid (ie, 2-piece, 1-piece of a certain type, etc.)?

Let's have a good chat about these often encountered and much debated 1911 add-ons.

 

[Claven2]

Here's my take: I think they are like promise rings: useless except to make money for the companies that produce them

If you must have one, I prefer the on-piece types that require no tools (ie, Allen wrenches) to disassemble the gun.

I DO feel they make the slide rack smoother when you manually rack the slide and allow easier installations of shok-bufs (which I don't use). I do NOT believe that they increase accuracy, consistency or spring life in any way. I also feel the extra weight at the muzzle is not needed unless you're a limp-wrister.

 

[Musky Hunter]

1 piece tungsten or SS.

 

[rigby]

Agree that they make the slide smoother to rack but other than that do not do too much

I use the one piece ones also
(SS)

 

[Rotek]

I Agree It Doesnt really ad anything to functionality of the firearm. I'm oldschool
(no I'm not old, under 45yrs old) I prefer to pressure check for live rounds in the chamber and I got tired of jamming my fingers. Since accuracy was no better
or worse than without the rod. So I removed it I will admit the fit is tighter with the rod in place .But Again old school, 1911 are not designed to be too tight
To quote an admired custom 1911 builder."We dont build them tight ,we build them right."I believe the quote to be correct ,I could be slightly off .You know what they
say about old age. "the memory is the first thing to go."
anyway thats my 2 cents
regards

 

[Rapt]

The plug makes it easier to clear a jam than if you have a FL guide rod.

The plug also makes take down easier. No doubt though that one piece tool free is the way to go if you're going.

I've racked some "traditional" set ups that were damn smooth, but I'd say generally that the FL makes the spring run a little smoother during compression. Depends a lot on how smooth the inside of the dust cover area of the frame is.

 

[Hitzy]

I think it helps the slide return to battery more consistantly and gives more consitant barrel/bushing lock up tension. My Nork .38 super definately shoots better groups with the FLGR installed. If you have alot of play in the slide frame fit I think it helps with consistant cycling as it's a 3rd bearing surface, definatety tightened my Nork up.
They are only $20 so I don't think anyone is getting rich off them...... :|

 

[JohnC]

i use a tungsten 1 piece guide rod and tungsten spring plug mainly for extra weight. the rod does seem to tighten the lockup.

 

[EdGCNM]

I have a Series 70 Gold Cup and a Valtro. The Colt has the regular length rod and plug and the Valtro the FLGR. I absolutely hate the FLGR. I don't think it does a darn thing except make the gun a pain in the butt to disassemble and reassemble and somebody is going to put an eye out!

 

[BJP]

I've had several of each and never saw a difference. I go with whatever is in the gun when I get it.

 

[Steve David]

The general thought across the market and gun writers field is that they make it a little more accurate and a little less reliable. Well, I have a Kimber TLE II that comes with one. I removed it and installed an Ed Brown standard plug and cap. Out to 25 yards, not one bit of differance! When it came to the reliability, not one bit of differance! If it has one, keep it in, if it does not, don't spend the money, especially on one of those over price mercury filled ones, what a waste of many they are.

 

[Claven2]

On thing I will say is that I HATED the 2-piece I had. I had to bring an allen key with me for every range trip in caseI wanted to disassemble the thing. Yuck. If I ever get one again, it will have to be a "no tool" one piece design. That being said, I probably won't buy another

 

[Hungry]

Both my Springfield Loaded .45 Parkerized and IMBEL 9mm M873 came with the FLGR's.... so I'll keep them in there.

They look kinda cool, just like my SIG P226R 8)

My pistols are range queens so I've always got Allen keys nearby. If I was planning on entering a serious social situation, :wink: I would go with the original plug and issued GI short recoil rod or whatever you call 'em. :lol:

By the way, for any of you Springfield Loaded owners who don't like their FLGR (5/32" Allen key) in a 2 piece format, I'll buy your FLGR off ya !

Cheers,
Barney :lol:

 

[Dustin]

I don't like the 2-piece, I'm getting a one piece and then I'll see for sure whether I like it or not.

 

[NAA]

Generally, I like 'em. Have had both one piece and two piece with the Allen wrench. Actually prefer the two piece for the ease of disassembly when cleaning...

Not all of my 1911's have them, however.

NAA.

 

[shortround]

I have one of the 3 pc one's on my 1911 and it did help take the play out of the racking and did help with accuracy (or maybe I just shot better with it on ) either way I have had no problems with them . As far as allen keys go I always have had one in my case under the foam since I installed it .

 

[sixty9santa]

What brand of no-tool full length guide rods are recommendable?
I have never heard of such a thing to be honnest :?

 

[Hungry]

sixty9santa:

My IMBEL 9mm M973 came with a factory FLGR. This FLGR had a hole about 1/8" in diameter about half an inch from the end of the FLGR by the bushing. :roll:

So on my workbench I use a nail to undo the FLGR (2 piece). Could you call this a no-tool takedown ? Maybe ... :roll:

Now if I can locate a 5/32" allen key 2 pc. FLGR like the FLGR that came with my M1911 Loaded, I would like to keep my FLGR's consistent.

Cheers,
Barney

 

[enfielder]

I just picked up a Wilson Combat FLGR (one piece) for my Commander. I hope to run out to the range today and see if there is any difference.

I bought it because:
I hate to go to the gun store and come home empty handed,
it wasn't that expensive,
it gave me an excuse (like I need one) to dig the Commander out of the safe and bond with it, and
go to the range with it.

I look forward to digging for brass in the snow.

 

[Six Star]

What brand of no-tool full length guide rods are recommendable?
I have never heard of such a thing to be honnest :?

Brownell's sells the Enterpise Arms "Competizione' 1-piece steel guide rod & plug. Pistol assembly/disassembly is no different that with the OEM guide and plug...I find it a bit easier, actually.