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1911
Full Length Guide Rods
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| The
long V.S. short spring guide rod in 1911 auto pistols seems to be
an unending controversy with strong opinions on both sides of the
debate. |
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| D&L
Sports™ Inc. offers custom 1911s with your choice of spring guide rod
lengths to satisfy those committed to either side of the issue. However,
Dave Lauck offers the following information to those interested in
considering their spring guide rod options further. |
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| We
have all probably heard the saying: "If John Browning wanted
a full length guide rod in the 1911, he would have designed the 1911
with a full length guide rod." There are few, if any, knowledgeable
firearm design people that will dispute the opinion that John Browning
was a genius of his time. Many people are very grateful for his contributions
to the firearm design field. However, to say firearms design work
started and ended with John Browning, is like saying automobile design
started and ended with Henry Ford. We now have generations more time
and experience with firearms. It is simply foolish to say there can
be no improvements to the original design. |
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| Better
sights on the 1911 allow for better and faster sighting. A well designed
beavertail grip safety improves handling, distributes recoil, and
eliminates hammer bite. These upgrades are well accepted as practical
performance enhancements to the 1911 design. There is no reason not
to consider other areas for improvements as long as they are field
practical, and don't adversely affect our number one concern - reliability. |
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| Short
guide rod supporters like the simplicity of field stripping without
a bushing wrench and the ability to pinch check the pistol with thumb
and forefinger. Some short guide rod users like to chamber a round
by pushing the front underside of the slide against a solid object. |
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| Knowledgeable
shooters using full length guide rod can still field strip without
a bushing wrench, and can still chamber check using an under or over
the slide grip. Hooking the slide and chambering a round one handed
is also possible with a full length guide rod in place. So there really
are no disadvantages to using a full length guide rod. |
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| What
are the advantages? The pistol runs smoother and stays snug longer
(many, many 1000s of rounds) because the slide is guided straight
back and forward on the guide rod, rather than depending so much on
the frame rails for guidance. |
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| Take
a look at other firearm designs such as the 63A, AR-18, AR-180, SA80,
and G36. You will notice spring guide rods and bolts also operating
on the rods as tracks to minimize wear on the receiver. The same concept
applies to the 1911. Operating the slide on the spring guide rod minimizes
uneven wear on the frame rails, and allows the pistol to operate smoother.
Again, please keep in mind these lessons are learned through firing
literally millions of rounds. The casual shooter may overlook various
benefits due to the limited number of rounds fired. |
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| Another
important benefit of the full length guide rod is that it stops rearward
travel of the slide during front slide impacts. Why is this important?
Here's one reason from operational experience: When a shooter slides
in behind a cover position, and aggressively stabs his pistol past
the cover object to fire, it is possible to catch the front underside
of the slide on the cover object. This makes it possible for the slide
to be pushed back enough to kick out the chambered cartridge on to
the ground. It is possible for the slide to snap back forward as it
skids past the cover object without chambering another cartridge.
In other words, click, instead of bang. This problem does not happen
with a full length guide rod in place because it stops the slide from
being pushed back. |
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| What
does Dave Lauck use in his personal full size carry pistols? A full
length guide rod. |
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| The
final choice is yours, as 1911s can be constructed either way. This
information is simply made available for your consideration. |
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Price:
$45
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| Note: There can be variations in recoil spring internal coil size, as well as poundage weights. Also, sometimes the open end of recoil springs can have a sharp edge that drags between the full length guide rod and spring plug. If you are using a full length guide rod, be sure that both ends of the recoil spring slide smoothly and drag free over the entire length of the FLGR. For 5 and 6 inch 1911 pistols firing full power 230 grain ball ammo, 18.5 pound Wolf brand variable recoil springs are recommended. If you have a FLGR in your pistol, install the recoil spring with closed end of the recoil spring at the muzzle end of the pistol. If you have a pistol with a short guide rod, about 2 inches long, install the recoil spring with the open end at the muzzle end of the pistol. |
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