kimber guide rod problem...

[decapitus]

Hey all,

I was cleaning my custom II last night, when in a fit of cosmic stupidity
I reassembled it incorrectly. Maybe I was distracted because the recoil
spring plug nearly killed me when I took it apart, but whatever the case I
put the recoil spring in BACKWARDS (closed end against plug). If you
haven't tried this yet, I don't recommend it...that spring was only meant
to go in the one way (as described in the manual).

As I was racking back the slide I realised it took a lot more force and
was really rough. I tried it a few more times and it became stuck. I forced it back and took it apart again, and lo and behold there's a huge scratch like a groove running down the length of the full length guide rod.

I assume the plug is supposed to run smoothly against the rod while cycling, and now there's a big scratch running down the guide rod. I guess my question is: should I just use it as it is, try grinding out the scratch or just replace the whole guide rod? And if I do replace it, does it have to be OEM kimber, or will any other manufacturer do?

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks for your time!

[1911slabsides]

You should be okay, (I'm sure glad I've never scratched a part like you did ;) ), What you might want to do is put the part in a small clamp and go over the scratch with some ultra fine sandpaper, use the old shoeshine method, that will take off any high spot that may be on the guide.

[decapitus]

I did like you suggested and sanded down the scratch area (hope I didn't go overboard). There's a small machine shop where I work so I took the guide to the buffing wheel and got the entire rod to a mirror finish...against the mirror finish you can see it, but not feel it. I guess this whole thing was my fault for not RTFM, but in my mind it adds validity to the argument against full length guide rods...

[TriumphGT6]

...but still I have opinions! :D I can see any scratch causing two problems (well, three, if cosmetics count).

1) mechanical interference

If that was a problem for you, your polish job probably fixed it

2) stress raiser

If the scratch is longitudinal, which I imagine it must be, I can't see how this would be a problem. (A scratch across the rod, however....

HTH, FWIW, etc.

[decapitus]

I'm not sure how much stress the full length guide rod takes, but I don't think I've ever heard a story about someone breaking one in mid-use (apart from dropping a pistol and bending one, etc.). Certainly, with a scratch or without one, I do think there is a certain amount of mechanical interference that occurs simply by having one in place, simply because it has to slide through the spring plug each time during cycling.

I'm sure the amount of interference is negligible, but in a world of perfect slide to frame mating, hi-tech lubes, etc., it's still unnecessary to add anything more to the equation, unless it significantly increases performance some other way...ah, but this is a question for invisible master-gunsmiths brooding on their thrones, and not for a mere mortal such as I.

[1911slabsides]

but in my mind it adds validity to the argument against full length guide rods...

Now that what I'm talking about. Actually I'll use any arguement against FLGR's. I know there are folks that swear by them and I'd imagine that in some cases they improve accuracy and function on some 1911's But I just don't care for them. There were times when I went out and got them because I just had to have one, but I've made that big circle back around to leave it as Mr. Browning made it.