1911 questions

[RolinThundr]

...Am I a Keyboard Commando now?
I have a gun-related mouse pad...

When each click of your mouse produces the sound of a burst of gunfire, we'll talk. And do tell me where you got it, that'd be cool.

[lawnrevenge]

Wow, never seem my flu-induced attempts at humor go so far before

I guess my keyboard commando response is that the 2-piece guide rod is a NATO conspiracy to disarm republicans by selling them inferior 1911's to help Obama not get the Olympics for Chicago...

[BunnySlayer]

I have and use pistols with both original and full length guide rods. I must say I do not believe the full length guide rods have any advantage at all. As a disadvantage the only problem I have is they prevent you from using the technique of racking the slide using your belt or other hard object in an emergency to clear malfunctions or chamber a round A technique taught at many of the better gun schools. As to the extractor issue. The advantage to an outside extractor is that they allow the extractor to bend beyond it's design peramiters preventing breakage and assisting in extraction. As to it's practial neccessity there is room for debate. I must admit I have and use guns with both designs. Both have worked well. There are those out there that seem to think just because JMB didn't put it on the pistol it has no place there. This is nonsense. Mr. Browning has pistols with both designs in place and they both work fine.

[sixniner]

Not meant to hijack this thread but if someone can enlighten me on what exactly is "loaded" as in Springfield Loaded model?

[PutTogether]

As much as I love 1911s - it really bugs me when someone's sole reason for not liking the external extractor, or full length guide rod, is that it was not part of John Browning's original design. "God and John Browning only wanted the gun such and such way, blah blah blah."

It bugs me.

John Browning didn't design large beavertailed grip safeties either. No one complains about that. Larger slide stop/release levers? Nope - not him. Extended thumb safeties? Don't think that was Mr. Browning either. I'm ALMOST certain he didn't create low mount, wedge, tritium night sights either - and no one complains about any of those things "not being of John Brownings original design."

My whining there aside - I prefer the original short guide rod because it simpler and easier. I don't have a TRUE extractor preference - I own a couple of guns with both internal and external extractors, and neither have caused me any particular concern up and above the other. The important part of the extractor equations is that whichever you have - it is done right, not slapped in by some guy that didn't know what he was doing.

To recap - I think the originally designed 1911 and 1911A1 were both things of beauty and near perfection and would never argue otherwise. I just get tired of people typing "thats not what JMB intended" instead of logically discussing the pros and cons of design changes and or new ideas. Yes the man was a God, but it is akin to saying anti lock brakes are ridiculous because if Henry Ford wanted them on the Model T he would have put them there.

[retired]

Bud Fox, that is a beautiful gun, but I want a full size 1911; 5" barrel. I have a XDSC 9mm with TruGlo TFOs for daily ccw, so I see no need for a Commander size pistol, albeit being great looking.

I went to the DW site (how come it is also a CZ site. Is DW owned by them or what) and looked at the Pointman 7. In reading the description, it said it had a full size guide rod. I've decided to stay with the original size guide rod after reading the posts here, plus I want the ambi safety.

Can anyone reply to my question about opinions on putting the TruGlo TFOs on a 1911. With my eyes, I find the fiber optic/tritium is the best of both worlds for my 59yr. old eyes, but don't really know how they'd look on a 1911. I realize I don't have to please anyone but myself, but just trying to get some input. Thanks.

[bolantej]

Have fun and just take your time. It's pretty easy and I enjoy learning how my toys work.

I don't of the sights you mention, but I'd say if they work for you and can help you shoot the thing, use them.

[PutTogether]

Even if you are dead set on a short guide rod, don't walk away from a gun you would otherwise want just because it comes with a full length. You can replace the full length plug/and rod with a high quality short plug and rod for less than $20 from brownells, and it is literally a drop in replacement. No sweat.

I had the sights you mentioned on a Kimber once for a little while. (they were on it when I bought the gun.) I never could get used to them, and ended up replacing them - but damn were they bright during the day. If that were an issue for me (I'm lucky to have good eyes) I might have kept them.

[Beelzy]

Not meant to hijack this thread but if someone can enlighten me on what exactly is "loaded" as in Springfield Loaded model?

The Purchaser!


To the OP:

John Moses Browning turns in his grave everytime someone "modifies" his
gun. He must look lke a skinny little pencil by now.

Two piece guide rods Chew the Root, and external extractors are cheaper to
make for the Factory and offer no significant benefit for the shooter. If there
is one difference it's that the external one can get crap in it and deter proper
functioning.

Old Slabsides has it's advantages.

[Colt]

I didn't mean to imply that I believe John Moses' design should stand exactly as it was - I don't have any experience with external extractors, is all. However, when certain "improvements" are made to the 1911 that affect function, I believe that in many cases JMB had it right...

[HCz]

I went to the DW site (how come it is also a CZ site. Is DW owned by them or what) and looked at the Pointman 7. In reading the description, it said it had a full size guide rod. I've decided to stay with the original size guide rod after reading the posts here, plus I want the ambi safety.

CZ USA purchased Dan Wesson last year, IIRC. Dan Wesson pretty much operates independently though. Personally, although I'm not a big fan of long guide rods, I also don't care that much. My RIA 1911 has one and I still haven't gotten around getting GI spring housing and guide rod yet.

Can anyone reply to my question about opinions on putting the TruGlo TFOs on a 1911. With my eyes, I find the fiber optic/tritium is the best of both worlds for my 59yr. old eyes, but don't really know how they'd look on a 1911. I realize I don't have to please anyone but myself, but just trying to get some input. Thanks.

You already have one on your XDsc, so why not? You are an old man. Act like one. Wear pants all the way up with suspenders and be grouchy and don't care what others think about you.

Personally, I'm not a big fan of TFOs. I've heard a bit more instances of fiber optic part breaking or coming off loose than standard tritium sights. They sure are bright, but things breaking when I least expected is not what I need. In your case, due to your age, you probably have different needs, (easier to see) so I can't speak for you, but I, as a younger person, probably won't go for TFO for gun I depend my life upon.

[Legasat]

I pick up my new Pointman 7 tomorrow!!!

I went to the DW site (how come it is also a CZ site. Is DW owned by them or what) and looked at the Pointman 7. In reading the description, it said it had a full size guide rod. I've decided to stay with the original size guide rod after reading the posts here, plus I want the ambi safety.

[Black Majik]

Not meant to hijack this thread but if someone can enlighten me on what exactly is "loaded" as in Springfield Loaded model?

The Springfield Loaded is as Loaded as the Kimber Custom II is Custom. Funny they're both models in direct competition of each other.



Bill,

When it comes to fiber optic sights, the only F.O. sights I like are Dawson Precision. I find Tru-Glos to be too big for precision work.

Regarding internal and external extractors, the main difference is, one works, the other doesn't. You'll notice ALL semi-custom makers: Nighthawk, Ed Brown, Les Baer, Wilson Combat, Springfield Custom Shop, and Rock River(RIP), all use internal extractors in their gun. Kimber tried and failed horribly at their EE design. The concept of a EE is nice, no tuning needed, but the delivery is a fail at best. Smith and Wesson gets great reviews, my short experience with SW1911s have also been pleasant, however Hilto Yam has come to the conclusion their EE design also has a fault. The extractor is placed slightly higher to the rim of the cartridge than ideal. While it doesn't show early on, guns with higher round counts will start to notice failures since the extractor doesn't fully grasp the rim of the cartridge during extraction. Most casual shooters may never notice the problem. Para has their PXT (Power extractor) but I've never tried it to formulate an opinion. Properly tuned, internal extractors work. EE use proprietary parts and, from what I've noticed don't hold a candle to the IE design.

Regarding FLGRs, I also prefer the short GI rod and plug. I find FLGRs to be a solution to a non-existant problem, however they do have a place in my guns. I use 1-pc. FLGRs on my range guns since I find cleaning my pistols to be a bit of a chore. Prior to a range day I can break my 1911 in two separate halves with a FLGR to clean and relube the slide/frame rails, barrel, link and disconnect rail/hole.

Good luck. Keyboard commando, out.

[JTROKS]

I don't really see any advantage nor disadvantage with the full length guide rod, but I do have one of the Clark 2-piece full length guide rod and never bought another. The front piece tends to spin out during shooting and caused the jam on my open gun. I ended up cold welding it in place to turn it into a one piece. I don't have any negative inputs about the old style extractor it always worked for me as long as it is tuned. My USPSA Open class guns have the traditional extractors and they worked just fine back in the days of 175 power factor with 38 Super. If you don't know what 175 PF with a Super it's a 125 grain bullet at 1400 fps, but usually a 50 fps buffer is added to insure it makes major at the chrono.

[retired]

CZ USA purchased Dan Wesson last year, IIRC. Dan Wesson pretty much operates independently though. Personally, although I'm not a big fan of long guide rods, I also don't care that much. My RIA 1911 has one and I still haven't gotten around getting GI spring housing and guide rod yet.

You already have one on your XDsc, so why not? You are an old man. Act like one. Wear pants all the way up with suspenders and be grouchy and don't care what others think about you.

Personally, I'm not a big fan of TFOs. I've heard a bit more instances of fiber optic part breaking or coming off loose than standard tritium sights. They sure are bright, but things breaking when I least expected is not what I need. In your case, due to your age, you probably have different needs, (easier to see) so I can't speak for you, but I, as a younger person, probably won't go for TFO for gun I depend my life upon.

HCz, I told my wife along time ago that if I ever start wearing my pants all the way up or shorts with over the calf black socks, she was to shoot me. So far I am still kicking.

As far as my TFOs, I have occasionally read comments like that before, but in the 2 1/2yrs. I have had them, I have never had one problem with them. I carry the gun daily in a Crossbreed IWB holster. The part that holds the gun is kydex. I have wear on the gun, but no wear on the sights.

The FO are as bright today as they were when I bought them, as is the tritium. I was asking about them more for the fact they are a non traditional sight on a 1911.

Black Majik, are the Dawson fiber optic sights real small like the ones on a Ruger MK III Hunter. I bought that gun because of the FO sight (and the SS), but I wish I hadn't as the FO is too small IMO. I guess I'll have to hope I run across someone with some Dawson's so I can see what they are like on the gun.

Puttogether, dumb question, but does it affect the performance of the gun if I change it out, since the gun was designed with the full sized rod.

Thanks everyone for the info and opinions; they are helping.

Legasat, let us know the result of your first shoot with it.