Full Length guide rod or standard length guide rod

[Panzer105]

I was wondering what the pros vs cons of using a full length guide rod verses a standard length guide rod?

[BadaBing11]

From my perspective, I really can't tell the difference when shooting. Standard guide rods make takedown a little easier.

Best regards

Jeff

[mabella]

Larry Vickers insists all his guns have standard and he is an expert

[Deadman]

ahhh
a never ending debate...

[Hawkmoon]

Those who advocate using a full-length guide rod typically offer one (or both) of two arguments: (a) The additional weight helps reduce muzzle flip, and (b) the FLGR prevents the recoil spring from kinking.

All I can say about (a) is that the weight difference is negligible and I have never noticed a difference. If I were to buy a pistol that came with a FLGR, the first thing I would do would be to swap in standard parts.

As to (b) ... take a close look at where the recoil spring is in a fully assembled 1911, and try to figure out where it could possible kink. The recoil spring is restrained against movement both vertically (up or down) and laterally (to either side). It can't kink. And by the time the slide is fully retracted, the spring is completely inside the recoil spring plug. Again ... how can it kink? Where's it going to go?

But those who believe it will kink will continue to believe so. As noted above, this is a never-ending argument.

[colonative01]

FWIW... it made a difference on my older Auto Ordinance.
less jams than I was getting.
could be all in my head though.
:)

[Coastie Doc]

I was wondering what the pros vs cons of using a full length guide rod verses a standard length guide rod?

Pros for standard G.I.
-It's what the gun was originally designed with.
-No tools needed since you can use your finger to depress the plug
-Allows the gun (Muzzle) to be placed on a had surface for one handed chambering.
-Less weight

Cons:
-Possible spring bind-arguable.
-May make the gun feel slinky-like if the gun's frame to slide fit is loose and a heavier recoil spring is in use.

Pros for Full length guide rod.
-Added muzzle wait that reduces muzzle flip or rise.
-Smoother "feel" with slide action and function.
-Less chance of spring bind-arguable.
-Will not allow gun to be inadvertently chambered open

Cons:
-Need a tool (Bushing wrench) to break gun down. Caveat: the base of the magazine can be used to depress the plug.
-Does not allow the gun (Muzzle) to be placed on a hard surface for one handed chambering.
-Heavier than needed.
-Not "Combat or Tactical".

Personal thoughts:
I have used both and prefer the full length guide rod. For me, the gun feels smoother when cycling. The spring does not bind or shift. With the G.I. set up I can feel and hear it rub on the inside of the dust cover, however, this is minimal. So it may (stress may) help with maintaining spring life. I actually like the heaviness and to me it makes the gun feel more solid. The tool issue (Bushing wrench) is a non-issue for me. The base of the magazine can be used. Additionally, the original 1911's came with a tool for use with removing the firing pin and extractor.

A few years back it was hard to find a 1911 without a full length guide rod as they were one of those "Custom" features. Now the preverbal pendulum has swung the other way and the 1911 is getting the "Combat or Tactical" nod and the G.I. guide rod is on that side. The other argument is, "If Mr. Browning wanted it that way he would of designed it". Well, all I can say to that is then remove every piece of aftermarket gear from your gun.

Do a search and you will see this debate is never ending. At worst you're out some money if you want to switch to either set up. Neither will do catastrophic harm to your gun. It really boils down to Personal preference.

[mabella]

Pros for standard G.I.
-It's what the gun was originally designed with.
-No tools needed since you can use your finger to depress the plug
-Allows the gun (Muzzle) to be placed on a had surface for one handed chambering.
-Less weight

Cons:
-Possible spring bind-arguable.
-May make the gun feel slinky-like if the gun's frame to slide fit is loose and a heavier recoil spring is in use.

Pros for Full length guide rod.
-Added muzzle wait that reduces muzzle flip or rise.
-Smoother "feel" with slide action and function.
-Less chance of spring bind-arguable.
-Will not allow gun to be inadvertently chambered open

Cons:
-Need a tool (Bushing wrench) to break gun down. Caveat: the base of the magazine can be used to depress the plug.
-Does not allow the gun (Muzzle) to be placed on a hard surface for one handed chambering.
-Heavier than needed.
-Not "Combat or Tactical".

Personal thoughts:
I have used both and prefer the full length guide rod. For me, the gun feels smoother when cycling. The spring does not bind or shift. With the G.I. set up I can feel and hear it rub on the inside of the dust cover, however, this is minimal. So it may (stress may) help with maintaining spring life. I actually like the heaviness and to me it makes the gun feel more solid. The tool issue (Bushing wrench) is a non-issue for me. The base of the magazine can be used. Additionally, the original 1911's came with a tool for use with removing the firing pin and extractor.

A few years back it was hard to find a 1911 without a full length guide rod as they were one of those "Custom" features. Now the preverbal pendulum has swung the other way and the 1911 is getting the "Combat or Tactical" nod and the G.I. guide rod is on that side. The other argument is, "If Mr. Browning wanted it that way he would of designed it". Well, all I can say to that is then remove every piece of aftermarket gear from your gun.

Do a search and you will see this debate is never ending. At worst you're out some money if you want to switch to either set up. Neither will do catastrophic harm to your gun. It really boils down to Personal preference.
Good summary!
One additional note is that you cannot press check a gun with a flgr.

[Coastie Doc]

Thanks! I've never understood the purpose of a press check. Please explain. For me, I always pull back on the cocking serrations just enough to see if a round is chambered. New guns have portion of the barrel with a U notch to see if a round is in the chamber. Thanks again.

[Panzer105]

Pros for standard G.I.
-It's what the gun was originally designed with.
-No tools needed since you can use your finger to depress the plug
-Allows the gun (Muzzle) to be placed on a had surface for one handed chambering.
-Less weight

Cons:
-Possible spring bind-arguable.
-May make the gun feel slinky-like if the gun's frame to slide fit is loose and a heavier recoil spring is in use.

Pros for Full length guide rod.
-Added muzzle wait that reduces muzzle flip or rise.
-Smoother "feel" with slide action and function.
-Less chance of spring bind-arguable.
-Will not allow gun to be inadvertently chambered open

Cons:
-Need a tool (Bushing wrench) to break gun down. Caveat: the base of the magazine can be used to depress the plug.
-Does not allow the gun (Muzzle) to be placed on a hard surface for one handed chambering.
-Heavier than needed.
-Not "Combat or Tactical".

Personal thoughts:
I have used both and prefer the full length guide rod. For me, the gun feels smoother when cycling. The spring does not bind or shift. With the G.I. set up I can feel and hear it rub on the inside of the dust cover, however, this is minimal. So it may (stress may) help with maintaining spring life. I actually like the heaviness and to me it makes the gun feel more solid. The tool issue (Bushing wrench) is a non-issue for me. The base of the magazine can be used. Additionally, the original 1911's came with a tool for use with removing the firing pin and extractor.

A few years back it was hard to find a 1911 without a full length guide rod as they were one of those "Custom" features. Now the preverbal pendulum has swung the other way and the 1911 is getting the "Combat or Tactical" nod and the G.I. guide rod is on that side. The other argument is, "If Mr. Browning wanted it that way he would of designed it". Well, all I can say to that is then remove every piece of aftermarket gear from your gun.

Do a search and you will see this debate is never ending. At worst you're out some money if you want to switch to either set up. Neither will do catastrophic harm to your gun. It really boils down to Personal preference.
I never have felt the weight difference myself. As far as the press check goes, it's just as easy to slightly pull back on the slide. When I was l Law Enforcement I was tought if I need to chamber a round one handed not to use a had serface but to hook your belt with the rear sights and push down. Then again we carried a Glock not a 1911 but it will work with 1911s as I have tried. The up side to this is you reduce in a major way getting something in your barrel so a full length guide rod will not get in the way. I don't really understand why a full length guide rod would or wouldn't make your gun "combat or tactical."

[mabella]

Thanks! I've never understood the purpose of a press check. Please explain. For me, I always pull back on the cocking serrations just enough to see if a round is chambered. New guns have portion of the barrel with a U notch to see if a round is in the chamber. Thanks again.
Old habits die hard!
I have been carrying a 1911 since I was 19!
Just the waynI always check my pistol.
As I stated earlier, I also see that most of the experts prefer no flgr. They have probably also grown up with the press check.

[LHS905]

Best press check IN MY OPINION is to grip the pistol with your weapon hand as if you were going to shoot it, pivot index and social (middle) fingers up to in front of the rear sight and squeeze (close the gap between your thumb and fingers). It moves the slide just enough to the rear to see the cartridge case if it's there.

As highlighted above it is only my opinion and I know there are a lot more out there.

It works for me and it works regardless of guide rod.

LHS

[dakota1911]

I would suggest folks that are interested go to Brownells or Midway or some other vendor and buy one and try it . See what you think.

For me I have played with them and will not have one in a 1911 Gov. or Commander size pistol I carry.

For fun range use I have the bushing wrenches etc. and it is not that important. For fun range guns I leave them in if the gun came with them. If I get a used gun such as a Colt Gold Cup that did not come with one then I replace it with the factory spec parts.

[Dave Waits]

I have one in my Pro Carry II but, it a design feature. I tried putting a standard set-up in it and it wouldn't function correctly, no room. So, I live with it.

FLGRs, in my opinion, are just one more thing that can break and jam up the gun when you need it. Especially the two piece models. My 5" guns all have standard recoil-spring setups and I've never had a problem with them.

[tscoleman]

To me it's like a piston system on an AR-15. It's a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. That said, it doesn't mean it doesn't work. How well it's executed really determines how much of a pain it ends up being.

[John]

Full-length guide rods improve extraction and feeding. They extract money from your pocket and feed them to the pockets of whoever makes the darn thing. Apart from that, I do not think they offer anything more.

[Hoss Fly]

Full-length guide rods improve extraction and feeding. They extract money from your pocket and feed them to the pockets of whoever makes the darn thing. Apart from that, I do not think they offer anything more.


Excellent answer & 100% accurate :lm:

[t-bird]

Great point John when put that way, thanks...

[Joe Reeser]

I was wondering what the pros vs cons of using a full length guide rod verses a standard length guide rod?

My Springfield Loaded came with a full length two-piece guide rod. It worked great and I never had any problems with it. I switched to a GI guide rod so I could field strip without the allen wrench. I've put about 2000 rounds through the pistol with the FLGR and about another 1000 with the GI setup. I see absolutely no difference in any aspect of operation. But it sure is a lot easier to field strip. :appld:

My son has a one-piece FLGR in his Para. He likes it. He doesn't need a tool to field strip and he's keeping the one-piece.

The GI is still easier IMO. I would just recommend to use whatever you like. The cost to change them isn't that much - try 'em both.

[Dave Waits]

John, I can find no flaw in your logic.