1911 Guide Rod Upgrades, Types, and Replacement 

25 yr old Wilson Combat 38 super with full length two piece guide rod and plug. It has never come loose, never failed, never caused any problems in thousands of rounds. Shot one inch groups at 25 yds brand new and it still does.

This is an old argument that ranks in comparison to the Polymer-Vs-Steel guide rod discussion in the Beretta. Although I have a small sample size (8 1911s in my collection) I can honestly say that converting two of my 1911s (1 government and 1 commander) to the Wilson Combat full length guide rod and flat recoil spring combination solved the lingering feeding issues I was having with these two guns. Both guns were plagued with feeding issues that would normally be solved with better magazines but that didn’t fix my problems. After a couple of years of living with these issues I finally gave in to the guide rod conversion. (Many of the higher end 1911’s are configured that way as are my two Colt Defenders.) That was 3 years ago and I haven’t had a performance issue with either of these two since then, and they now operate with magazines that I had previously set aside. With this modification installed I can still field strip both guns for cleaning without needing tools. So I listen to these entertaining discussions about the GI guide rod system and all I can offer is that if it works, it works…until it doesn’t.

This presentation was very informative. One of the best and I been doing 1911's for 55 years.

Thanks for a great video!!!! I have a 2001 Springfield 1911 loaded and now I can proudly say "Goodbye, hex wrench, hello Wilson Combat!"

A very thorough review.

For anyone that's going to consider getting a two piece guide rod... Allow me to make a suggestion... Periodically disassemble the guide rod especially if it's one that threads together. I bought a used rather beat up Auto Ordnance AOC Competition Model yesterday because I just couldn't say no to the price tag with all of the aftermarket accessories that somebody had also put into it. They made it look just like one of the 1911's from the 2004 Punisher movie. And again the price was right and I was very satisfied with it until I noticed two things upon much closer inspection when I disassembled it getting it home. First and foremost... The goddamn guide rod will not come apart. It doesn't matter what I do it does not come apart. The person that had it prior to me put it together and apparently never bothered to take it apart occasionally cleaned out the threading and put it back together again and now it is seized solid. To the point where I am pretty sure I'm going to have to cut it out of the damn frame. So yeah first suggestion would be... Take your firearm apart from time-to-time manipulate any pieces that move or thread together. Especially the guide rods. My only other complaint about this firearm is just the absolute and utter disregard for maintenance with it. And this idiot decided it would be a good idea to coat the outside and all of the inside with this thin rubbery material that liquefies the moment gun solvent touches it. I've never seen a nastier more filthy firearm in my life. Although it's a nice little restoration project for me now. But yeah the guide rods that screw together... Just take them apart every now and then or there will come a day where you might be sorry and you may not be able to get it apart. Just a little food for thought and thank you for taking the time to read my rent. And this was a very well-thought-out well-executed video. Thank you for that as well. If I cut this guy drawn-out I'm definitely going to be considering one of the styles mentioned in this video. We will see.

What a great explanation! Thanks

Thanks AZT. Great job. Good info.

AS a new Loaded owner great info. Have subscribed.

Great explanation; just purchased a RIA 1911 with a full length guide rod; and will change it over to the gi guide rod; all of the other ones I have had , have the full length guide rod, it is much easier to field strip;

full length guide rods add stability that helps accuracy even if its small every little bit counts as with anything else its what you prefer

Good video, i have to say I've put full length guide rods on all my 1911s because ive seen a positive difference all though slight and will always recommend it

You're absolutely right, the 2 peices guide rod is worthless, the 1 peice full length is good, and the sandard is good , any gun needs to be easily feild stripped without any tools, otherwise you're in trouble 😉, great video.

Good video. My Ruger Commander Lightweight was fairly accurate in the beginning, but I decided to change the standard guide rod to a two-piece FLGR as a test. What I found was that the Ruger ran a tad smoother and accuracy did seem to improve to a small degree. The front end of the installed FLGR did loosen, but that was after a 350-round training session. I placed a dab of blue Lok-Tite on it and that solved that problem. As a rule, if a 1911 comes with a FLGR I usually leave it. What I found matters more than FLGR vs. SGR is recoil spring length and rate, and main spring length and rate.

If there was an advantage to the full length guide rod I would use it, otherwise I use the GI version. The big thing for me is using stainless steel parts and install a 18 pound chrome silicone recoil spring and use gun grease on all moving parts/rails/barrel etc like I do on ANY weapon.

High-end 1911 handguns come with stainless steel full guide rods, which most match target competitors prefer, as the pistol cycles smoother, and stays flatter during rapid fire, it also increases the life span of the guide rod. BUT, y'all do whatever you like, no problem. You do you, so do I 😎

If your going to change guide rods on a Springfield check out Dillon or Atlas you'll be dam glad you did

My secondary MOS put me in the armory reparing weapons, when not in the field. Later, as a peace officer, and owning my own personal gunsmith business in the latter half of the 70's throught the early 90's, I specialized in combat handguns. In the 80's, when the 1911 was the "it gun" for combat shooting, I built dozens of them. And not one had a full length guide rod. The full length guide rods, are a solution to a nonexistent problem...

Placed the order . Thx for the tip

Thanks for the video. I brought a 1911 type 70 and could not disassemble it. Turns out the guy I brought it from put in a two part rod. Cheers.

Great video

I have a budget full size 1911A1 from Auto Ordnance and I dropped a $225 5" barrel from NightHawk Custom into it and I also purchased a 20 lbs recoil spring and guide rod from them. The barrel also came with a bushing, but I wanted to keep the stock look so I stayed with the stock bushing. However, when you look at it the only thing that pops out at you is that gorgeous stainless barrel. Gr8 vid as usual. 🔫 🇺🇸

I take my two piece off easily, i lock the slide back and just twist it off with my fingers then I release it back and safety lock it as i push the bushing back and take the tension of the spring and then continue to take apart as if it was a standard guid rod in it

Bought my 1911 with the two piece guide rod. after 300 rounds it was hand loose. Ill be switching it out.

better spring life on full guide rods,only makes sense that spring compresses evenly zero binding/bunching. and maybe its just me but i swear my patterns seem tighter i put the WC flat wire on all my 1911

I was thinking to change my standard GI guide rod to a one pcs long guide rod,but nah my RIA fs 1911 works greate with the GI guide rod!

Hi there, love the video! the links you posted are for the old site. do you have updated links or the part numbers from WC? I have the exact same Springfield loaded SS.

A heads up; damper motor 1911 recoil systems exist. See the Rowland V2 recoil damper.

If you need to buy a new full length guide rod can you buy any full length online and put it into your 1911 without any problems? My full length has come loose, so I am looking to buy a new one.

I have a 1989 Officers Model. I might have 5 or 600 rounds through it. I carried it for several years, and now it is a home defense hideaway. I do put a few rounds through each year, maybe 30 or so, and keep it clean. Should I change out the springs since I hardy ever shoot it?

so how would i convert a GI Guild Rod on that Ruger Commander to a full Length Guild Rod?

I have the Mil Spec 1911. Love it but has issues ejecting spent brass. Tends throw them straight back at my face or top of the head. Not cool. Advice ???

I want to put a flush comp on mine and I have a full length guide rod what do I need to do so do I need a shorter rod and different plug

Why didn't you show how to change out the guide rod in the Kimber.

I have this same model 1911 but its the 9mm version, would these same parts work?

What about those with no guide rods

Does anyone know, my guide rod (is the short kind) gets stuck at the end of the slide rail every time the slide recoils, do I need to file a little bit off the sides of the guide rod or is there something else?

Just changes mine. Why would you want to be hex wrench dependable?

Why is it hard to disassemble a 1911 with the bushing ? I have a mil spec 1911 from Springfield and it won’t turn with my fingers only with a tool.

Can you swap out a one piece guide . To a a regular gi configuration

My Prodigy had a two piece I changed to a Dillon precision one piece it's a hundred times easier. My kimber 45 is a pain in the ass

I am going to have to look into why 2 piece guide rods are used, seems like a hassle to me. All my 1911's have full length guide rods, not because I favor them. It is just because ,for one reason or another they have them.I do not have the finances to allow me, but a few. I have said something, but yet I have said nothing. Les Baer, who I believe makes some of the most extraordinary 1911 pistols in existence, simply does not use guide rods. I am shure he has a very good reason for not doing so.put it in or leave it out, I only wish I had such a dilemma.

Standard ,

AZ trigger , need guide rod retainer inner part , spring, fits under barrel , congress AZ 85332 Yavapia county , got info ?

Okay it’s the guide rod , 2 piece ,

I'm 66 I feel like I just started smoking crack

Deviate from path of our prophet John Browning and the result is not really any advantages and some disadvantages.

Great video Sir!👌🏻🫡 What about after the performance after swapping, any issues?

Great video