Full length guide rods in 1911s

[Pistol Packin Preacher]

In reading about the 1911s I have found some (most it appears) have full length guide rods and some have shorter guide rods.

Some question the accuracy of those without full length guide rods.

Are those without the full length rod less accurate according to what you people that have them find?

Did the original Browning model have the shorter or full length?

I have been reading about the Ruger S1911 and how those who have shot them (few since they are near impossible for gun shops to get) love them but the articles have gone to say some have questioned them being produced with the shorter guide rod.

What are your experiences with this and what would be the disadvantages to a shorter guide rod?

Thanks and the Lord's blessings!

Pistol Packin Preacher

[Exbiker]

It's like Ford or Chevy. Easier disassembly with GI aka short guide rod but either should shoot the same. Some really high end 1911s have FL and some have GI.

[Gun]

Some question the accuracy of those without full length guide rods.

Are those without the full length rod less accurate according to what you people that have them find?

Accuracy has to do with the fit of the barrel to slide, which of course has the attached sights. So the barrel bushing, and proper barrel lockup is of concern.

Some think that a FLGR will help with muzzle flip, thus reacquiring the target quicker. Want to control muzzle flip, work on your grip strength, preferably with the 3 fingers holding the frame handle.

[B2Luv2Hunt]

Did the original Browning model have the shorter or full length?

The original had short.

[AcidResGambit]

I swapped the full length guide rod out in my Springfield Loaded and replaced it with a GI style guide rod. It makes it slightly easier to disassemble because you no longer need an allen wrench.

[harold63]

Accuracy has to do with the fit of the barrel to slide, which of course has the attached sights. So the barrel bushing, and proper barrel lockup is of concern.

This, ^^^ for sure. You want the slide to frame fit to be good, as well. If you can move the slide around a bit, it will show up in your groups. If your 1911 is very accurate, lube it like it supposed to be. It will stay accurate, longer.

[PaBimmerGuy]

as i recall from the 70s the intent of the full length guide rod was not increased accuracy but increased reliability. it was posited that with the original guide rod the spring would kink inside of the slide and since it would move differently with every shot it could affect reliability. neither side in the discussion has conclusively demonstrated their beliefs. i do not have a full length guide rod in any of my 1911s.

[harold63]

neither side in the discussion has conclusively demonstrated their beliefs.

Oh yea, this seems to be the concensus. A lot of 1911 competitors do not use the short guide rod because of binding and breaking of the springs. Full length rod virtually eliminates the spring being able to move around, though I personally have never had issues with either the short or the full length.

[Chazman321]

I like the FLGR in my RIA. It doesn't make it any harder to take down than any gun I've ever shot and disassembled... I like the idea of a place for everything and everything in it's place. So having a recoil spring moving all around just can't be good IMHO, but I'm not a 1911 guru either... lol


-Chaz

[mikenac]

I replaced my FLGR with standard GI guide rod with no change in accuracy or (at least after 1000rds) reliability.

It is now much easier to disassemble. I've heard too that the FLGR makes it harder to rack the slide one handed, but have never really tried it out. I would say, if it is a 1 piece FLGR, it's not too different for disassembly (a bit harder without the bushing wrench, but doable), but the two piece FLGR is crap IMHO. Needing an allen to take down a gun is crap.