1911 2 Piece Guide Rod Conversion: HELP

[Mr. Blue]

Do you want to spend time try to fix it? If not, then like others mentioned buy a single piece long guide rod, or switch to standard GI guide rode. But what ever you do, do not red Loctite the existing two piece unless you modify it, or you will not be able to remove it.

To fix it, screw the guide rod together. Feel the seam at the joint, do you feel a bump? Sand/file the circumference seam to ensure its smooth. Then when put back into the gun, put a couple BLUE Loctite on the thread and tighten it down, then a couple oil drops on the rod.

[walmart_ar15]

To clarify, I was mostly curious about removing the front piece of the 2 piece guide rod. Thus, essentially leaving a GI guide rod in the gun. At which point I would buy a standard GI plug as the current plug would not prevent debris from entering the gun.

Depending on the 2nd piece. It is generally too short to fully contained the compressed spring, it will then cause binding. Same as using the FLGR plug with GI rod, it will also bind.

A guide rod is exactly that, a guide for the spring so it does not compress side ways. 1911 design standard plug and rod is just at the right lengths so it will work together. Notice the spring also fits the plug right at its ID, and the GI plug fits just inside the spring ID. They are designed to help prevent spring bending while being compressed.

FLGR helps add weight to the front of the gun which can help recoil. It is also advertised it will help align the slide and the barrel as it locks up (experience shows it is more a hype than anything), and of course prevent spring binding (if you use off spec springs).

To add.. I do like FLGR. It allows you to remove the top without needing to disassemble the bushing, spring etc. Top will just slide off, after removing the slide stop, like any other modern day semi.

[splithoof]

Loctite

or use a one-piece full length

... my MCO had a GI assembly. I went to a two-piece, and it got annoying with the 2-piece. Have now switched to a single piece full length.


_

What exactly has that single piece full length guide rod done for your pistol?

[hitmissone]

I have he same gun. Changed to a WC system and never looked back. For me it was the take apart thing using a tool verses the normal system.

[SarcoBlaster]

GI guide rod and plug. /thread

[splithoof]

[Mr. Blue]

[redhemi]

My SA 9mm guide rod has only loosened up once after 11K rounds when I first got it because I didn't tighten it good. You can put a GI system in but the spring can bind when compressing. If you want to stay with a F/L rod there are ones with a hole for a pin for take down or some are shorter so you can compress the plug and move the bushing to remove the plug and spring as in a GI system. As for just using the rear part of the rod because the tip is not rounded it could possibly catch on the spring when compressing. Call Springfield they might send you a new one.

[RandyD]

My .45 Colt has a Wilson Combat full-length guide rod in it and I had Wilson Combat install it, and I have not had a single mishap with that handgun.

[AlHO1966]

I’ve got about 12k rounds on the same gun and have never had the 2 piece guide rod come loose. Are you sure you are tightening it enough?

[wamphyri13]

I've been shooting the 1911 platform for 2000 years. (you can tell it's true because I called it a platform) Seriously though, it's a solution to a non-existent problem that even I bought into at one point. (2000 years, remember?) Like Sailormilan2 said, it may be beneficial in a 10mm for recoil, especially if it's the weighted tungsten kind, but for .45 and 9mm it's really more of a gimmick. Ditch it and get a standard rod and plug and be done with it.

['ol shooter]

Teflon tape on the threads.

[JTROKS]

What exactly has that single piece full length guide rod done for your pistol?

I like the balance of my pistol with a FLGR. With my USPSA Limited Division I installed Tungsten FLGR for more weight as it balances out the tailored handloads I shoot through the gun. For my other 1911s I just use what came with the pistol, but I modified the 2 pc FLGR to take down as a 1 pc FLGR. Doesn’t matter with my non USPSA 1911s/Widebody, I didn’t want to spend the $15 for a standard recoil rod & plug.

[yacko]

To add.. I do like FLGR. It allows you to remove the top without needing to disassemble the bushing, spring etc. Top will just slide off, after removing the slide stop, like any other modern day semi.

You're doing it wrong.... youtube videos should show you the 'fast way' to disassemble, reassemble a 1911 easily.

Basically.... slide back to the right notch and pop out the mag release...

As the slide is moved forward, wrap your fingers of the hand holding the slide... under the dust cover... move your hand with the slide... to catch the recoil spring and hold it in the slide with your fingers.

Set down the frame, carefully pop out the back end of the spring/gi guide rod... and let the tension off the spring.

Pull spring all the way out. Then you can turn the bushing and pull the plug bushing and barrel out of the slide.

Reassemble same way. Put the sping in with the rod, hold it with your fingers and as the slide goes on the frame, pop each finger out of the way when it gets to the dust cover until the entire spring is captured in the frame.

[JTROKS]

You're doing it wrong.... youtube videos should show you the 'fast way' to disassemble, reassemble a 1911 easily.

Basically.... slide back to the right notch and pop out the mag release...

As the slide is moved forward, wrap your fingers of the hand holding the slide... under the dust cover... move your hand with the slide... to catch the recoil spring and hold it in the slide with your fingers.

Set down the frame, carefully pop out the back end of the spring/gi guide rod... and let the tension off the spring.

Pull spring all the way out. Then you can turn the bushing and pull the plug bushing and barrel out of the slide.

Reassemble same way. Put the sping in with the rod, hold it with your fingers and as the slide goes on the frame, pop each finger out of the way when it gets to the dust cover until the entire spring is captured in the frame.