Guide Rod - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Clobbersaurus · 03-31-2008, 06:16 AM

? for you all. I got a Springfield Loaded and I need to use a hex wrench to break her down. Can I just buy a plug ( MidwayUSA - Ed Brown Recoil Spring Plug 1911 Government Blue ) and go that route or would I need to swap out the whole setup?

I have no issues with it coming loose just want to be able to strip it without tools.

Thanks.

Clobber

CharlieHo · 03-31-2008, 07:37 AM

In addition to the recoil spring plug,

You will also need a guide rod MidwayUSA - Ed Brown 1-Piece Recoil Spring Guide Rod 1911 Government Blue

And while you're at it, you might as well upgrade to an 18.5 # spring MidwayUSA - Wolff Recoil Spring 1911 Government 18-1/2 lb

**Cannibul** · 03-31-2008, 08:22 AM

I think the OP wants to get rid of the guide rod.

Just get a GI Plug and spring and you will be good to go.

Clobbersaurus · 03-31-2008, 08:47 AM

Sorry. I just re-read my post and it isnt very clear. I would like to be able to strip it without using the wrench and just wanted to know what I would need to swap out/replace to accomplish that.

So just a GI plug and spring and Im good to go? I cant use the spring I have already?

Any reason not to do this?

Thanks again.

chromechicken · 03-31-2008, 09:01 AM

Yeah, you can use the spring you already have. Some guys like to go a tad heavier on their recoil springs. I am not one of those guys, but I understand the concept. If it's working now, it should work with the same spring and a GI-style plug.

bigun · 03-31-2008, 12:59 PM

Or if you prefer a full length guide rod Cylinder and Slide makes a 1 piece that is short enough to strip without any tools other than a mag base to depress the plug. I prefer the one piece in target sighted guns and the GI plug and guide in fixed sight weapons.

scooterj · 03-31-2008, 06:35 PM

Full length guide rods are not needed. Jim Clark used the GI 's for custom builds unless the customer wanted the full length. My Caspian 38super that he built had the GI unit. Wish I still had that piece of art.

Clobbersaurus · 04-01-2008, 07:23 AM

Cool thanks guys. Im going to pick up just a plug then. Prob one of the smooth ones, not one with a "checkered" face.

Does anyone know if they make custom plugs, like a laser etched or engraved face? That would be schweet.

The Knight Of Light · 04-01-2008, 07:45 AM

Interesting....

Wilson Combat Guide Rod article.

dogboy · 04-03-2008, 05:31 AM

I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with Mr. Neill in that article. I don't care what anyone says, I've tried it both ways, and my Combat Commander works better without the guide rod. I tried a Wilson Combat one-piece in it, and it was a piece of **** as long as the rod was in it. Took the rod back out, and it was back to its regular self, digesting anything I could put in it. I mean, with the rod in, the da** thing wouldn't even feed FMJ hardball.

Now, could it maybe have been a fitting issue? Did it need to be fitted? Quite probably. But I don't care. With rod, reliability went to sh**. Without, it has NEVER bobbled, not ONCE. And I've varied springs and what not. But no more guide rods for me. IMO, they are worse than useless. Can they be made to work? Oh yeah, guys are getting paid big bucks every day to make them work, and work well. Are they nice? Yeah, looks-wise and weight wise (like the article said, more weight forward, so better recoil characteristics... for that first shot only, in my case). Are they necessary to maintain a well functioning 1911 that is reliable and useful over a long service life. ABSOLUTELY NOT.
No guide rods for me!!!

03-31-2008, 06:16 AM	#1
Clobbersaurus XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Orange County, NY Posts: 254	Guide Rod ? for you all. I got a Springfield Loaded and I need to use a hex wrench to break her down. Can I just buy a plug ( MidwayUSA - Ed Brown Recoil Spring Plug 1911 Government Blue ) and go that route or would I need to swap out the whole setup? I have no issues with it coming loose just want to be able to strip it without tools. Thanks. Clobber __________________ Springfield XD40 Serivce Springfield 1911-A1 Loaded Black Stainless Colt Python 6" Mossberg 590 Mariner w/ Knoxx SpecOps Stock Ruger 10/22 w/ Christie Super Stock Romanian AK-47 Coming soon: Noveske AR15 -4/21/08 - Lower completed!! http://ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=...=375232&page=1

03-31-2008, 07:37 AM	#2
CharlieHo XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairmont, WV Posts: 514	In addition to the recoil spring plug, You will also need a guide rod MidwayUSA - Ed Brown 1-Piece Recoil Spring Guide Rod 1911 Government Blue And while you're at it, you might as well upgrade to an 18.5 # spring MidwayUSA - Wolff Recoil Spring 1911 Government 18-1/2 lb __________________ "The philosophy of gun control: Teenagers are roaring through town at 90 MPH, where the speed limit is 25. Your solution is to lower the speed limit to 20." - Sam Cohen, inventor of the Neutron Bomb

03-31-2008, 08:47 AM	#4
Clobbersaurus XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Orange County, NY Posts: 254	Sorry. I just re-read my post and it isnt very clear. I would like to be able to strip it without using the wrench and just wanted to know what I would need to swap out/replace to accomplish that. So just a GI plug and spring and Im good to go? I cant use the spring I have already? Any reason not to do this? Thanks again. __________________ Springfield XD40 Serivce Springfield 1911-A1 Loaded Black Stainless Colt Python 6" Mossberg 590 Mariner w/ Knoxx SpecOps Stock Ruger 10/22 w/ Christie Super Stock Romanian AK-47 Coming soon: Noveske AR15 -4/21/08 - Lower completed!! http://ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=...=375232&page=1 Last edited by Clobbersaurus : 03-31-2008 at 08:52 AM.

03-31-2008, 09:01 AM	#5
chromechicken XDTalk Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Ft Bragg, NC Posts: 95	Yeah, you can use the spring you already have. Some guys like to go a tad heavier on their recoil springs. I am not one of those guys, but I understand the concept. If it's working now, it should work with the same spring and a GI-style plug. __________________ I'm Chromechicken, and I approve this message Aren't you impressed with my list of guns? Lorcin .22 w/Rogaurd and NP3 treatment Raven .25 Auto w/trigger job/magwell/ambi-safety and Doctor Optic Hi-point carbine 9mm with laser sight, Harris bipod, Knight's RIS and Elcan sight Spray-painted Moisin-Nagant M38

03-31-2008, 12:59 PM	#6
bigun XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Southern Iowa Posts: 2,333	Or if you prefer a full length guide rod Cylinder and Slide makes a 1 piece that is short enough to strip without any tools other than a mag base to depress the plug. I prefer the one piece in target sighted guns and the GI plug and guide in fixed sight weapons. __________________ Remington Rand 1911A1, Kimber Pro CDP 2, Kimber Custom Target, Ruger mark2 Govt model with Bushnell Holo site, Beretta 92D 9mm, Kahr K-40, Coming soon Kimber Warrior or Springfield Operator.

03-31-2008, 06:35 PM	#7
scooterj XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: LaPlace, LA Posts: 103	Full length guide rods are not needed. Jim Clark used the GI 's for custom builds unless the customer wanted the full length. My Caspian 38super that he built had the GI unit. Wish I still had that piece of art.

04-01-2008, 07:23 AM	#8
Clobbersaurus XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Orange County, NY Posts: 254	Cool thanks guys. Im going to pick up just a plug then. Prob one of the smooth ones, not one with a "checkered" face. Does anyone know if they make custom plugs, like a laser etched or engraved face? That would be schweet. __________________ Springfield XD40 Serivce Springfield 1911-A1 Loaded Black Stainless Colt Python 6" Mossberg 590 Mariner w/ Knoxx SpecOps Stock Ruger 10/22 w/ Christie Super Stock Romanian AK-47 Coming soon: Noveske AR15 -4/21/08 - Lower completed!! http://ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=...=375232&page=1

04-01-2008, 07:45 AM	#9
The Knight Of Light XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Posts: 8,331 Blog Entries: 12	Interesting.... Wilson Combat Guide Rod article. __________________ No Matter Where You Go, There You Are. USPSA #A56661 What a great number!!! http://theknightoflight.blogspot.com/ Creator of TOP 'O' THE PAGE!!! Moose Fight

04-03-2008, 05:31 AM	#10
dogboy XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 160	I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with Mr. Neill in that article. I don't care what anyone says, I've tried it both ways, and my Combat Commander works better without the guide rod. I tried a Wilson Combat one-piece in it, and it was a piece of ** as long as the rod was in it. Took the rod back out, and it was back to its regular self, digesting anything I could put in it. I mean, with the rod in, the da thing wouldn't even feed FMJ hardball. Now, could it maybe have been a fitting issue? Did it need to be fitted? Quite probably. But I don't care. With rod, reliability went to sh*. Without, it has NEVER bobbled, not ONCE. And I've varied springs and what not. But no more guide rods for me. IMO, they are worse than useless. Can they be made to work? Oh yeah, guys are getting paid big bucks every day to make them work, and work well. Are they nice? Yeah, looks-wise and weight wise (like the article said, more weight forward, so better recoil characteristics... for that first shot only, in my case). Are they necessary* to maintain a well functioning 1911 that is reliable and useful over a long service life. ABSOLUTELY NOT. No guide rods for me!!!

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