Guide Rods

[RolinThundr]

What is the advantage of a full length guide rod in a 1911 and can it be installed in any full size (5" barrel) 1911?

[NRAhighpowershooter]

basically guides the recoil spring during compression under recoil (just one step to make things more consistant shot to shot) but they will take a little bit different steps for take down for cleaning. Yes they will fit any 5" 1911

[Beelzy]

IMO, there is no advantage significant enough to warrant their use.

For the layman: PITA

[xrMike]

1911 purists will tell you that full-length guide rods are completely unecessary, because if John Moses Bronwing had thought the gun needed one, he would have designed it that way...

They do add a few more ounces up front, at the muzzle end of the gun, and so theoretically should reduce muzzle flip slightly when firing.

I have one in my SA milspec, and like it. Mine is a 1-piece design and does not complicate dissassmbly at all.

There are also some 2-piece, full length guide rods out there. They screw together. I've never seen or used one, but heard some online chatter that they are undesireable because they can come unscrewed, or work loose, during firing. I have no idea if that is true though.