Full Length Guide Rods

[XUSNORDY]

I did a search here and didn't find much discussion/debate over this. Which surprised me. However, seems every article I've read in the past couple years writers are abandoning the full length guide rod, or stating they would replace it on test guns if it was purchased by them. I've had many a old gun smith and armorer despise these things. Seems they came out right after the "Dwyer Group Gripper" or whatever it was called back then...I understand they have a place in race guns, add weight, balance, reduce chance of spring binds,etc.... I seem to take them in and out of my 1911's.......depends on my mood I guess. Lets here some pros, cons, or just thoughts on them....

[RocketFoot]

My 1911 has a full length guide rod, but I can't really tell any difference! I actually prefer the look of the standard guide rod with the serrated plug...

I guess full length is just supposed to be stronger and prevent spring binding?

[Chazman321]

Full length, tungsten guide rods are almost always seen in IPSC 1911's, and will probably find it's way into my PT1911 one day... lol


Chaztungstenrulesman321

[Xringshooter]

I actually have not seen a difference in my 1911's full or half rod. Maybe it does when running a full race gun, don't know, don't have a full race gun

[XUSNORDY]

My 1911 has a full length guide rod, but I can't really tell any difference! I actually prefer the look of the standard guide rod with the serrated plug...

I guess full length is just supposed to be stronger and prevent spring binding?

I agree with you. I like the standard/traditional look also. I do get a bit more accuracy with the full length. But not much difference to matter.

[Chazman321]

The theory I was always raised with, is that more moving pieces something has, the more chances there are for things to do wrong...


Chazpersonalpreferenceman321

[TonyF]

They add weight "out front" which helps to minimize muzzle rise during recoil and they are a PITA to field strip.

They do not prevent the recoil spring from binding.

If you could look at a cut-away of an assembled pistol with a std. guide rod, about 1/3 of the spring is supported by the guide rod and another 1/3 is contained by the guide rod plug. That means only about 1/3 of the spring is "unsupported" or not "contained".

Spring binding? I don't think so.

[XUSNORDY]

They add weight "out front" which helps to minimize muzzle rise during recoil and they are a PITA to field strip.

They do not prevent the recoil spring from binding.

If you could look at a cut-away of an assembled pistol with a std. guide rod, about 1/3 of the spring is supported by the guide rod and another 1/3 is contained by the guide rod plug. That means only about 1/3 of the spring is "unsupported" or not "contained".

Spring binding? I don't think so.

Guess I imagined all that binding stuff in armorer school......damn government and shoddy training!

[DaveM55]

I have two Colt 1911's and they both have full-length guide rods as advised by the only 1911 pistol smith I trust. He too says it helps prevent spring binding.

[XUSNORDY]

I have two Colt 1911's and they both have full-length guide rods as advised by the only 1911 pistol smith I trust. He too says it helps prevent spring binding.

Dang it!....tried to give you rep for having my back DaveM55......but I've given out too much today....( I was VERY proud of some of the members responses in another thread).

Once you have to take a slide off after a spring binds it shut you will never want it to happen again! PITFA!!!!