None of the Combat Commanders or the Lightweight Commanders originally came out with a guide rod. I started putting them in, in about 1983 when they first started getting popular, and believed that they would cause a pistol to cycle better. I still believe this, although some might disagree. Whether Colt puts them in their guns now, I do not know, but I do. I use the Bill Wilson stainless ones, with a stronger spring, to not only make the pistol lock up tighter, but faster. It will also take some of the flip out of the slide cycle, due to the slight increase in weight, and the stronger spring. Draw back is light loads will not be reliable in practice, but I don't use light loads anyway. I also believe the spring binds less during the cycle. All of this, is what "I" put into a pistol, but if someone requests to leave it out I do. After all, its their money.