The Old Debate :FLGR

[plws88]

OK,OK, I know that this is really :dead_hors , because I have read a few posts on whether or not to use a FLGR -- basically ending with the conclusion that it adds nothing to function other than to make it harder to disassemble.However, I think what I may have been reading about was in regards to whether it dampened recoil, with the consensus being that it didn't. I was just wondering whatever other effects it may have -- accuracy? Even though I have noted what I have read here in the forum, the only reason I am asking is because the smith that staked my front sight on suggested a FLGR because he said it would fully support the spring and keep it from kinking or "snaking" around. Just wanted some thoughts on that particular issue -- supporting the spring, and what effects, if any, that produces.

[1911Tuner]

Might wanna suggest to your gunsmith that he should study up on exactly what occurs with the standard recoil system...and he'll see that a FLGR doesn't offer any more "support" for the spring than the original design does.

A FLGR does offer the limited advantage of keeping the slide tracking straighter when the gun is so badly worn out that it probably shouldn't even be shot anyway...but that's about it.

[Hunter]

A recoil spring with the standard guide rod should not bind or snake around. There is not really enough room in the dust cover for the recoil spring to bind. The only occasion where a full length guide rod is a good idea is to replace the guide rod in an Colt Officer's or Compact model and do away with the recoil spring plug with the tab and replace it with a reverse plug. I have heard the tab on the recoil spring plug can sheer off other than that it really does not help. I have two full size Colts with and several without and I have noticed no benefit. My thoughts

[Hawkmoon]

x2 what Tuner and Hunter said.

Take a look at your 1911. Remove the recoil spring plug and look down the tunnel with the spring in place. Now, try to bend or "kink" the spring. Where's it going to go?

Now remove the spring and try to kink it. Heck, some of them come in baggies wrapped in a 'U' shape and they straighten right out when taken out of the bag. Explain to me just how it can be bent any tighter than a 180-degree 'U' while its enclosed in that tunnel.

[plws88]

Thanks for the info, guys. Just wanted a little more clarification on this point, seein' as that guy mentioned it to me, and I hadn't considered (or read) anything about the "snaking" deal. No sense in addin' parts you don't really need.

[John]

If I may add the comment of a famous member of our site (1911Tuner), FLGRs help in two areas, extraction and feeding. The extract money from your pocket and feed them in the pocket of their makers. Other than that, not even the makers of these devices do not suggest that they improve accuracy or reliability. The only thing they say, is what your gunsmith told you, that they do not allow the spring to kink. But as others have said, there is no room for the spring to kink anyway, so a moot point.

If you like the looks of it (when the slide is locked back), go ahead and install one, it won't hurt anything, but it won't improve anything also.

[mike h. buness]

Absolutely correct. The spring has nowhere to go. Add-ons here are a waste of $$. Even if it could, it whould have NO efect on accuracy. The only improvement in this area whold be a spring that doesn't fly when you remove it. mike.

[1911Tuner]

To add a little more insight on how the standard recoil system functions...
Take it out and look at it carefully for a minute or two. As the spring compresses, it starts to stack over the guide rod as the plug slips over it.
When it's at the limit of compression, you can see that it's completely captive...Inside by the rod and outside by the plug.

Neat!

[SargeMO]

I used to think that FLGR's were a waste of money, until I installed them in a few 3.5" 'problem children' like the A/O Pit & Colt Officers. These guns had resisted reliable function after the usual tweaks, like switching mags, extractor tuning/beveling, breechface polishing, barrel bedding etc. I can recall three that really came into their own with the installation of Ed Brown's reverse-plug FLGR system.

On the Commander and GM size guns, I wouldn't bother with it. I don't fool with the 4" Champs, etc., so I can't say on those. But I do think that it can be advantageous in certain 3.5" guns. Whatever system you use, these little shortys eat recoil springs considerably faster than their full-size brethren. If you don't keep good springs in them, they won't work regardless of whether that spring has a guide rod in it or not. If I was carrying one of these little howitzers I wouldn't go over 1000 rounds w/o replacing that spring.

[runt]

i have a FLGR in my AMT HardBaller because i like the looks of it. no other reason. that reminds me, i need to call the gunsmith that Hunter recommended to me about said gun.

[gottripletsNC]

all it did for me was cause failure to extract problems at least once most of the time twice a magazine