two pice guide rod

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4thHorseman

New member
two piece guide rod

Does anyone have any ideas on how to stop a two pice guide rod in a 1911 type pistol from loosening (unscrewing into two pieces)?
Thanks:)
 
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D

drail

Moderator
Replacing it with a GI type rod will solve the problem also. I ran competition guns for years with one and two piece full length guide rods. Now all I run are GI type rods.
 
U

Unclenick

Staff
Note that Red Loctite is permanent and won't let you take it apart again witout heating to about 250 degrees. Use the removable stuff for this kind of application.
 
I

Ivan

New member
Peening the threads slightly also works reasonably well. The side of a round screwdriver blade works pretty well. If you are going to Red Loctite it in place, MAKE SURE YOU CAN DISASSEMBLE THE GUN!!! If you want the guide rod long, you might have to start your disassembly by removing the slide stop.

- Ivan.
 
4

4thHorseman

New member
I have a commander size pistol. If I use a one piece guide rod, I cannot assemble or disassemble it. I have to have a way to break it down.
The guide rod is brand new. I have had this problem before on an older guide rod and I had to continue to tighten it during the shooting at the range.
It has a bull barrel so I cannot use a plug.
 
D

drail

Moderator
4thHorseman, can you not remove the slide stop, remove the slide and then remove the spring and guide rod from the rear of the slide? This is how I takedown all of my bull barrel guns. I use a GI short guide rod and a reverse plug. If you're running a heavy spring it can be a little tough to control until you get used to it.
 
L

LHB1

New member
Quote: "I have a commander size pistol. If I use a one piece guide rod, I cannot assemble or disassemble it. I have to have a way to break it down.
The guide rod is brand new. I have had this problem before on an older guide rod and I had to continue to tighten it during the shooting at the range.
It has a bull barrel so I cannot use a plug."

Talk to Wilson Combat. My 4" Wilson 1911 uses a one piece guide rod with a small hole drilled thru it vertically. I retract the slide and insert a short tiny nail stub. This locks the recoil spring so I can then remove the slide stop, remove slide, and remove captured recoil spring from the rear. LEAVE THE PIN/NAIL IN THE ROD UNTIL GUN IS FULLY REASSEMBLED. Then retract slide and remove pin. Works slick and easy.
 
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James K

Member In Memoriam
Except for adding a small amount of weight, a full length guide rod of any type is a solution without a problem. Its only purpose is to make money for the maker. Get a standard guide rod.

Hi, Harry B.

No guide rod? I have tried that and had a problem with the spring kinking, plus the rear of the guide rod is what stops the slide.

Jim
 
L

LHB1

New member
Quote: "Except for adding a small amount of weight, a full length guide rod of any type is a solution without a problem. Its only purpose is to make money for the maker. Get a standard guide rod."

As you can see, some shooters like full length guide rods in 1911's and some don't. I happen to like them. Use standard or full length according to your preference. I think that with the 4" guns, use of short guide rod will leave an opening at front of slide under the barrel. Using a full length guide rod cut flush with front (like my Wilson 4" Protector), the front surface of guide rod will fill that opening and look much better (in my opinion).
 
4

4thHorseman

New member
LHB1 -Talk to Wilson Combat. My 4" Wilson 1911 uses a one piece guide rod with a small hole drilled thru it vertically. I retract the slide and insert a short tiny nail stub. This locks the recoil spring so I can then remove the slide stop, remove slide, and remove captured recoil spring from the rear. LEAVE THE PIN/NAIL IN THE ROD UNTIL GUN IS FULLY REASSEMBLED. Then retract slide and remove pin. Works slick and easy.
Thank you all for your responses.
I have asked Wilson and they told me all they had was a two piece guide rod. I will call them again ask them again tomorrow. I know I have gotten several answers from several reps there, but they meant well each time.:)
Again, thanks guys:)
 
L

LHB1

New member
Quote: "I have asked Wilson and they told me all they had was a two piece guide rod. I will call them again ask them again tomorrow. I know I have gotten several answers from several reps there, but they meant well each time."

Perhaps they only cut shortened one piece guide rods for their own custom pistols. My gun is a 4" Wilson Professional and the shortened guide rod was fitted during original manufacture. Either Nick (X105) or Matt (X107) should be able to give you a straight answer to the question.
 
4

4thHorseman

New member
I called Wilson to day. I talked to a rep. I asked them to make me one. They said they would. The oddity about them, they have to be just a bit longer than the other manufactures to fit into the the reverse plug from Wilson.
Again, you guys have been wonderful with your help. Thank you all.:)
 
L

LHB1

New member
Quote: "I called Wilson to day. I talked to a rep. I asked them to make me one. They said they would."

Great. Hope that solves your problem. Ask them to send you a couple of the short, cut off pins to use for locking the guide rod during disassembly. You can use them to buy additional small nails and cut lots more as needed once you see what size and length is appropriate. Remember which rep you talked to and check back with him later if you have problems or to tell him thanks for taking care of your needs. IME those guys really try to help customers out and a thank you is appreciated. They also like to know that the problem was successfully solved.
 
A

AJG

New member
peening

Peening the threads slightly also works reasonably well. The side of a round screwdriver blade works pretty well. If you are going to Red Loctite it in place, MAKE SURE YOU CAN DISASSEMBLE THE GUN!!! If you want the guide rod long, you might have to start your disassembly by removing the slide stop.
- Ivan.

Peening! WOW, why didnt I think about that! In my SA Micro-Compact .45, the guide rod starts to come apart after 500ish rounds and gets to be a major PIA replacing it all the time. I used red loctite most recently, but after I get off work,,, will definately be sitting at the work bench.

Alex
 
H

Harry Bonar

New member
Guide rod

Sir;
I'm with Jim on this - I built a P14-45 and put a one piece giude rod in it (why, I don't know) - it tied the slide up several times and they tend to bur the bottom of your barrel. Get a standard spring tube and go with common 1911 configuration!
Harry B.
 
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