guide rod oops!

[akrich]

don't know how i did it, looking for some suggestions before I resort to hammer and chisle<sp>

my guide sliped back while field striping and just got jammed up when i look down the front where the bushing and plunger is It looks like a corner of the spring is infront of the guide rod preventing it the moving out the front of the plunger. I've tried small screwdrivers and the lot but it is just damn tight, and there is absolutly 0 play. I was looking for any suggestions that might allow me to remidy this situation with out resorting to cutting my guid rod in half to free it up so i can remove it and start again with a new one.....

And don't ask me how I managed to do this because I havn't the faintest, was cleaning the weapon and had to break for dinner, and when i returned to finish up bam it was all siezed up


Kelly

[usajeep1]

What brand of 1911 are we talking about? Is it a full length guide rod? You did not remove the spring before trying to remove the rod? Is the slide off of the gun or is it stuck on? Have you been able to remove the barrel bushing? Just a few questions so we can give you more concrete answers. ...jeep...

[akrich]

I thought the best way to show would be through some pictures so here they are.

A. Shows how the spring is visible, and the slight gap.

B. Shows the Rod is at a angle and siezed in this postion there is absolutly no movement forward or backwards left, right up down. It just doesn't move period.



http://image.rmkw.com/IMG_1041a.JPG


http://image.rmkw.com/IMG_1038a.JPG


Pre thanks for the Help
Kelly

[usajeep1]

Before removing the slide, you should have removed the barrel bushing. By turning the barrel bushing, you release the plug and the pressure thats on the spring. Let me guess, because the spring is lodged between the plug and the guide rod, you cannot compress the plug enough to turn the barrel bushing and remove the plug and spring, correct? You have a predicament there my friend if this is the case. You could try to force the spring back into position from the front of the guide rod plug, but this could result in damage to your plug, guide rod and possibly the slide if your not careful. The only thing that I would reccomend that you do is see if you can compress the barrel bushing enough to turn it and release the pressure on the plug and spring. If you can do this, it might release the pressure and allow you to field strip as normal. The sequence should go like this. 1. turn the barrel bushing while compressing the plug. keep pressure on the plug even when the barrel bushing is clear, as the spring is under tension and it will throw the plug so far away that you'll never find it. 2. Once the barrel bushing is not holding the plug, release the pressure your are puitting on the plug slowly, and remove the plug from the end of the spring. 3. Turn the barrell bushing in the opposite direction and remove it from the barrel/slide assy. 4. grasp the sring and pull it from the guide rod. it will be stiff, as it is tight right at the base of the guide rod. Be aware of the way the spring is installed and return it to the same position. (tight coils on the base of the guide rod) You might have to use a small pick to release the spring from the base of the guide rod because it is tight. 5. Now you can remove the guide rod, sliding it away from the opening it is resting in. 6. Now turn the barrel link in and slide out the barrel. This is the normal procedure for field stripping a 1911. How did you get the slide off without releasing the pressure on the spring first anyways:eek:? If you cannot disassemble by this method. STOP, send it to a competent gunsmith or better yet Kimber themselves. Dont ruin a perfectly good weapon (expensive too), by trying to be a 'gunsmith'. I hope this helps clarify some things. ...jeep...

[DEDON45]

:D Something simple may work: Try just clipping the spring to release tension (you'll need a new spring, but they're cheap, anyhow)... thay might ease things up a bit.. a few "loving" taps with a plastic hammer might help as well!

[usajeep1]

By the way, NICE pictures!!! jeep...

[gottripletsNC]

judging by the picture in B, I dont believe I would tap anything back from the front, you have bind on the bottom of the barrel, I would be worried of messing up the lock up on the top of the barrel, or the matchup to the slide at the extractor/firing pin area.

If it were me, I think I would try a hacksaw and remove the part of the plug that the bushing rides on, You will need a new plug, and probably a new bushing time its over with, but likely will not mess up the rod, and barrel or the slide, little time and lotta patience that might work, but I believe I would stay away from any tapping or trying to force what is already locked up.

My 2 cents

[akrich]

Used the combination of a pick, a small wood block and hammer and takeing it slow and easy it all worked out, not even a scratch on the rod . Thanks for the pick idea that worked really well on pushing the spring back out of the way let every thing slide with just a little nudge :)

[Joni Lynn]

I'm glad you got it apart. I thought either moving the spring back into position with the help of some tools or cutting the spring into pieces and removing tension that way. Good job!!

[John]

Phew, I really got worried with this. Never seen such a bind before. Another good reason to use the standard, JMB desing parts!

[usajeep1]

Luck is on your side my friend. But when dealing with firearms, always take your time and follow the book. If I'm in the middle of cleaning my gun, I'll finish before I do something else that distracts me. If I make a mistake when disassembling or reassembling my gun, it could be deadly. ...jeep...