1911 full length guide rod

redlightrich · March 28, 2024, 08:10 PM

Hi All. I own several kimber 5" 1911s. I usually remove the full length guide rod and replace it with a government size guide rod. My reason is the full length one is a PIA to take apart. I clean my guns after mostly each use and I don't like using the plastic tool. It just makes it so much harder. Does the full length offer any benefit beyond adding an ounce or two to the muzzle end? How do others feel about it? Is accuracy enhanced outside the additional muzzle weight?
I am curious as to how others feel and approach this. I have very accurate 1911s that have the standard short rod.
I welcome thoughts on this and wonder why Kimber adds this part?

Ty

Rich

**Aguila Blanca** · March 28, 2024, 08:31 PM

I'm sure Kimber, like other makers of 1911s, installs full-length guide rods because they think that's what customers want, so they think it will help them sell guns.

I'm like you -- if I accidentally come into possession of a 1911 with a full-length guide rod, I replace it with a standard guide rod at the first opportunity.

Super Sneaky Steve · March 28, 2024, 10:33 PM

If it needed one JMB would have put it there.

stuckinthe60s · March 29, 2024, 12:52 AM

got rid of all of mine early on.

rodfac · March 29, 2024, 05:47 PM

Quote:

I'm sure Kimber, like other makers of 1911s, installs full-length guide rods because they think that's what customers want, so they think it will help them sell guns.
I'm like you -- if I accidentally come into possession of a 1911 with a full-length guide rod, I replace it with a standard guide rod at the first opportunity.

Yep....Rod

redlightrich · March 29, 2024, 07:49 PM

Thank you all who replied. I kind of thought it was a gimmick. None of my other 1911s have them, nor do my 2011s. They are just a PIA. I have replacement parts on the way. I love 1911s. I very much dislike the full length guide rod.
Thank you for sharing your similar opinions

Rich

Nick_C_S · March 30, 2024, 12:13 AM

My Kimber has a full-length guide rod and I too think it's a pita to deal with.

Not sure why, but it never dawned on me to just replace it with a conventional type. I'm going to do that.

As already mentioned: If the 1911 needed one, JMB would have designed it with one.

Jim Watson · March 30, 2024, 12:56 AM

My FLG likes them so I have several. I can’t see an advantage except a little forward weight.

PzGren · March 30, 2024, 07:27 AM

My Nowlins have the FLGR, while my Colts have the standard short ones. I have no issues disassembling them and if it ain't broke, I'll surely not fix it.

jar · March 30, 2024, 08:14 AM

My Girsan MC1911C XLV has a one piece full length guide rod and it's not much more difficult to field strip than the standard shorties and doesn't require a tool or paper clip. It works and so I haven't changed anything. It does require the small diameter flat recoil spring though so I need to get around to ordering a spare or three.

Jim Watson · March 30, 2024, 09:36 AM

That’s the difference between being designed that way and having a long rod scabbed on to an existing gun.

redlightrich · April 4, 2024, 08:15 PM

Hello again, the Kimber version has a very thin edge on the recoil spring plug. My hands ( very calloused) can't easily take them down without the tool.
I have purchased the new plug and GI style guide rod, and will remove the full length. If it doesn't add accuracy, then it is is just a gimmicky PITA. To me, the ability to strip my pistol down without tools is more valuable than the full length rod.
I own several Kimbers and have removed them all. I will change this one out this weekend. If accuracy remains the same, I will feel happy about it.
I will report back about my results.

Ty

Rich

Mongo_Bongo · April 5, 2024, 07:40 AM

Put an flgr in one of mine years ago when it was the current hot ticket. It does rack smoother and may have a minuscule bit less felt recoil due to increased weight. Other than that, no benefits that I notice. Would I bother again? Probably not.

redlightrich · April 8, 2024, 07:33 PM

Hi All, just wanted to follow up my post. First, this is in a Kimber Custom LW 45acp which has an aluminum frame. A full 7+ ounces less than an all steel 1911. Anyway I switched out to a government length guide rod ( Wilson Combat) and govt. front plug by Kimber.

Accuracy ( as far as I can tell) is the same, however, to my surprise, I notice a bit more muzzle flip. It definitely has a bit harsher recoil. I don't really care about the extra recoil or muzzle flip as it isn't bad. I can still hit at point of aim. I will chalk it up to being a lighter 1911. Anyway, the ease of take down is well worth it.
I thought this may be helpful to anyone pondering a FLGR in the future. To me it simply isn't worth the extra effort.

Be well

Rich

RickB · April 8, 2024, 09:30 PM

I had a gun with a cast frame that apparently had not been machined where the guide rods seats, and a short guide rod would rock around and not remain seated, so a FLGR allowed the slide to help locate the rod and I never had any further trouble with it.
Another gun had a tungsten FLGR in it for a while, and if you want some additional weight to counter recoil, that's exactly where you want it.
For a multi-caliber gun with more than one top end, the FLGR does make swapping easier.
In general, I don't see a benefit to balance the more difficult disassembly and reassembly.

**Aguila Blanca** · April 8, 2024, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickB

For a multi-caliber gun with more than one top end, the FLGR does make swapping easier.

How does a full-length guide rod make swapping top ends any easier? If anything, I think it would make it more difficult, since it makes field stripping more difficult. Swapping top ends is nothing more than field stripping and reassembling with a different slide, barrel, and recoil spring.

redlightrich · April 9, 2024, 08:16 PM

Hello Rick, your comment is confusing me? The FLGR is harder to take down than a govt plug. At least I think it is?
Please explain

Ty

Rich

March 28, 2024, 08:10 PM	#1
redlightrich Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2016 Posts: 323	1911 full length guide rod Hi All. I own several kimber 5" 1911s. I usually remove the full length guide rod and replace it with a government size guide rod. My reason is the full length one is a PIA to take apart. I clean my guns after mostly each use and I don't like using the plastic tool. It just makes it so much harder. Does the full length offer any benefit beyond adding an ounce or two to the muzzle end? How do others feel about it? Is accuracy enhanced outside the additional muzzle weight? I am curious as to how others feel and approach this. I have very accurate 1911s that have the standard short rod. I welcome thoughts on this and wonder why Kimber adds this part? Ty Rich

March 28, 2024, 08:31 PM	#2
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,482	I'm sure Kimber, like other makers of 1911s, installs full-length guide rods because they think that's what customers want, so they think it will help them sell guns. I'm like you -- if I accidentally come into possession of a 1911 with a full-length guide rod, I replace it with a standard guide rod at the first opportunity. __________________ NRA Life Member / Certified Instructor NRA Chief RSO / CMP RSO 1911 Certified Armorer Jeepaholic

March 29, 2024, 12:52 AM	#4
stuckinthe60s Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2017 Location: Va., Ct., Mo.. Posts: 878	got rid of all of mine early on. __________________ Retired Military Aviation Former Member Navy Shooting Team Distinguished Pistol Shot,NRA Shotgun/Pistol Instructor NSSA All American, Skeet/Trap Range Owner

March 30, 2024, 12:13 AM	#7
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,525	My Kimber has a full-length guide rod and I too think it's a pita to deal with. Not sure why, but it never dawned on me to just replace it with a conventional type. I'm going to do that. As already mentioned: If the 1911 needed one, JMB would have designed it with one. __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

March 30, 2024, 08:14 AM	#10
jar Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2001 Location: Deep South Texas Posts: 1,672	My Girsan MC1911C XLV has a one piece full length guide rod and it's not much more difficult to field strip than the standard shorties and doesn't require a tool or paper clip. It works and so I haven't changed anything. It does require the small diameter flat recoil spring though so I need to get around to ordering a spare or three. __________________ To be vintage it's gotta be older than me!

March 28, 2024, 10:33 PM	#3
Super Sneaky Steve Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 2011 Posts: 1,250	If it needed one JMB would have put it there.

March 29, 2024, 07:49 PM	#6
redlightrich Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2016 Posts: 323	Thank you all who replied. I kind of thought it was a gimmick. None of my other 1911s have them, nor do my 2011s. They are just a PIA. I have replacement parts on the way. I love 1911s. I very much dislike the full length guide rod. Thank you for sharing your similar opinions Rich

March 30, 2024, 12:56 AM	#8
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,548	My FLG likes them so I have several. I can’t see an advantage except a little forward weight.

March 30, 2024, 07:27 AM	#9
PzGren Senior Member Join Date: August 14, 2001 Posts: 1,260	My Nowlins have the FLGR, while my Colts have the standard short ones. I have no issues disassembling them and if it ain't broke, I'll surely not fix it.

March 30, 2024, 09:36 AM	#11
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,548	That’s the difference between being designed that way and having a long rod scabbed on to an existing gun.

April 4, 2024, 08:15 PM	#12
redlightrich Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2016 Posts: 323	Hello again, the Kimber version has a very thin edge on the recoil spring plug. My hands ( very calloused) can't easily take them down without the tool. I have purchased the new plug and GI style guide rod, and will remove the full length. If it doesn't add accuracy, then it is is just a gimmicky PITA. To me, the ability to strip my pistol down without tools is more valuable than the full length rod. I own several Kimbers and have removed them all. I will change this one out this weekend. If accuracy remains the same, I will feel happy about it. I will report back about my results. Ty Rich

April 5, 2024, 07:40 AM	#13
Mongo_Bongo Member Join Date: August 11, 2018 Posts: 41	Put an flgr in one of mine years ago when it was the current hot ticket. It does rack smoother and may have a minuscule bit less felt recoil due to increased weight. Other than that, no benefits that I notice. Would I bother again? Probably not.

April 8, 2024, 07:33 PM	#14
redlightrich Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2016 Posts: 323	Hi All, just wanted to follow up my post. First, this is in a Kimber Custom LW 45acp which has an aluminum frame. A full 7+ ounces less than an all steel 1911. Anyway I switched out to a government length guide rod ( Wilson Combat) and govt. front plug by Kimber. Accuracy ( as far as I can tell) is the same, however, to my surprise, I notice a bit more muzzle flip. It definitely has a bit harsher recoil. I don't really care about the extra recoil or muzzle flip as it isn't bad. I can still hit at point of aim. I will chalk it up to being a lighter 1911. Anyway, the ease of take down is well worth it. I thought this may be helpful to anyone pondering a FLGR in the future. To me it simply isn't worth the extra effort. Be well Rich

April 8, 2024, 09:30 PM	#15
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	I had a gun with a cast frame that apparently had not been machined where the guide rods seats, and a short guide rod would rock around and not remain seated, so a FLGR allowed the slide to help locate the rod and I never had any further trouble with it. Another gun had a tungsten FLGR in it for a while, and if you want some additional weight to counter recoil, that's exactly where you want it. For a multi-caliber gun with more than one top end, the FLGR does make swapping easier. In general, I don't see a benefit to balance the more difficult disassembly and reassembly. __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.

April 9, 2024, 08:16 PM	#17
redlightrich Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2016 Posts: 323	Hello Rick, your comment is confusing me? The FLGR is harder to take down than a govt plug. At least I think it is? Please explain Ty Rich