Accessorize Your 1911: Full Length Guide Rod

Published on June 27, 2014
Duration: 3:07

This guide details the installation of a full-length guide rod for the 1911 pistol, covering both one-piece and two-piece systems. Expert instruction from Brownells explains how this modification can improve firearm function by preventing spring bind and simplifying disassembly. The process involves standard field stripping, replacing the original guide rod and spring, and reassembling the slide with the new component. A final function check ensures smooth operation.

Quick Summary

Installing a full-length guide rod on a 1911 pistol offers two main advantages: it prevents spring bind for smoother operation and allows the entire slide assembly to be removed as a unit, simplifying disassembly and facilitating top-end swaps like .22 conversion units.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: 1911 Full-Length Guide Rod
  2. 00:08Advantages of Full-Length Guide Rod
  3. 00:23Easy Disassembly with Full-Length Rod
  4. 00:29Video Overview: Installation Types
  5. 00:35Standard Disassembly for 1911
  6. 00:55Slide Removal and Spring Separation
  7. 01:00Installing New Guide Rod
  8. 01:03Two-Piece Guide Rod Installation Steps
  9. 01:10Two-Piece Rod: Slide Assembly
  10. 01:31Two-Piece Rod: Final Assembly
  11. 01:52One-Piece Guide Rod Installation Steps
  12. 02:09One-Piece Rod: Barrel Bushing Clearance
  13. 02:15Post-Installation Function Check
  14. 02:24Conclusion and Call to Action

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of installing a full-length guide rod on a 1911 pistol?

A full-length guide rod can make your 1911 run smoother by preventing spring bind. It also simplifies disassembly, allowing the entire top end to be removed as a unit, which is useful for switching top ends, like with a .22 conversion unit.

How do you disassemble a 1911 with a full-length guide rod installed?

With a full-length guide rod, you retract the slide, remove the slide stop, and then you can take the entire slide assembly off as a unit. This is simpler than standard disassembly procedures.

What is the difference between a one-piece and a two-piece full-length guide rod for a 1911?

A one-piece rod is installed directly into the slide, with the recoil spring then placed onto it from the front. A two-piece rod requires the spring to be placed on a rear section, which is then screwed into a front section, often using a hex wrench.

Where can I buy a full-length guide rod for my 1911?

Brownells.com offers a wide selection of full-length guide rods and other accessories specifically designed for the 1911 platform. They provide a satisfaction guarantee on their products.

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