Broken guide rod

[4fingers]

Went to clean up my Colt gov. model (series 80) after a session at the range but the recoil spring guide will not unscrew. :( This of course is not the original assembly but the type you stick your allen wrench in the end to unscrew.

The rod turns freely in either direction but won't back off the threads. I locked the slide in the rear position which exposed the guide rod and was able to put some locking pliers on the bugger but still nothing.

I sit here scratching the bald spot on my head but it does'nt seem to be stimulating any real fantastic ideas on how to get that thing out of there. Thought I would check with you kind folks before I took the hack saw to it.

:confused: Fingers
PS I don't own a cutting torch :eek:

[wichaka]

It appears that the rod has a pressed in thread, and not machined into the rod itself. What make is it?
I would contact the maker and let them know the problem, they should send you a new one.
Even with it in its full length condition, you should still be able to get the gun apart. You may be able to pinch it in a vice to get enough pressure on the threads to grab ahold and unscrew the other. You just need to remember which part of the rod originally held the threads. Or just do some pulling while you try to unscrew it..........hmmmmmmmmmmm

If you get it apart, I myself wouldn't use it again. I suppose you could use red loc-tite and that may keep this from happening again...........

[4fingers]

Sorry wichaka I don't know/remember the manufacturer. If I did I might be tempted to poke the guy in the eye with the darned thing. I've tried the pulling and pushing every which way with no success. You would think that it would catch somewhere just enough to loosen up even a fraction of a thread but you can't feel anything. If I ever do get the sob out, it sure ain't goin' back in.

I'll hang in there a while longer, maybe someone will come up with something.

[1911Tuner]

Howdy guys,

I ran into this once...and trust me...the rod will not unscrew. Another reason
not to use a two-piece full-length guide rod.

I had to lock the slide back and use a Dremel cut-off wheel to cut the rod
to allow the gun to be disassembled. The two-piece rods that are flush
with the end of the plug won't even come out when the top-end is taken off as a unit the way that the shorter one-piece rods will.

Be careful with the Dremel. One slip, and you'll cut into the barrel.
If possible, clamp the slide lightly in a vise with a piece of paper to prevent marring the finish, so that you can use both hands to control the Dremel tool.
Might be a good idea to use masking tape on the barrel to give a little protection against a Murphy Moment.Cut about a quarter-inch off the end of the rod so that the bushing will turn when you put the slide in battery, and disassemble in the usual manner.

Luck!

Tuner

[stumbler]

Would retracting slide enough to get the slide stop out (leaving the upper assembled) work?

[4fingers]

I figured it would have to be cut. Thanks for the suggestions gentlemen.