Different guide rods?

[Chief GEEK]

I am new to this forum and 1911s. I have an officer size STI 1911. It has a guide rod assembly that is called a "Recoil Master". I understand that 1911s can have a "one piece" or "2 piece" guide rod. If things are standard on the 1911s, then what is standard about this?

Here is what I think I know. An officer size frame is smaller than the standard frame. The commander and GI are the same size frame with different length slides and barrel.

What is the skinny on all this and what is it that you guys know that I only think I know.

[Mikey]

Nope!  Guide rods were never standard on the 1911.  They were first marketed as a accuracy enhancer but it seemed they didn't improve accuracy by or to any significant degree.  They are probably a good idea in the shorter frame pistol to keep the recoil spring from kinking.

The Commander frame is shorter than the standard 1911 frame and the Officer frame is shorter than the Commander. 

"and what is it that you guys know that I only think I know"??  Ain't tellin'...................

[Bill of Ojai]

Hello, Mr. Chief Geek.  In a full sized 1911 where a guide rod is optioned, a two-piece was developed to make it easier to disassemble the gun over the one piece.
Although not needed, a guide rod can add a little weight to the front end balance if desired.

[SharonAnne]

what is it that we know that you only think you know?  Oh, pretty much everything.

[Mikey]

SharonAnne:  Nice to see you back, and in good form too.  Hope all is well. 

[Flint]

A full length guide rod on a full sized govt model does not improve accuracy, as people have noted, but I found it adds smoothness to the slide stroke,, most likely by limiting the kinking and preventing the coils rubbing the dust cover of the frame.

[SharonAnne]

  Thank you Mikey! As well as can be.

[1911crazy]

I did hear a kinking noise when i was cycling my 1911 by hand without the full length guide rod. It was the recoil spring binding when it cycled.  I figured it would ruin the position of the wraps on the recoil spring over time without the full length guide rod using the stronger recoil springs.  I just didn't like hearing the spring binding.

On my reworked norinco I notice the extra weight up front with the full length guide rod helps keep the muzzle of the pistol down.  The 18# recoil spring reduces the over travel so it actually cycles faster putting the next round in the chamber lightening fast. Right now i only have about 1 1/2" to 2" of straight up recoil.  The full length guide rod and the 18# recoil spring makes the 1911 more controllable and it has less recoil.

Improving the 1911's accuracy is in reworking the barrel bushing/barrel fit.  I notice the national match barrel bushing has improved the accuracy.   It can shoot 1 clover leaf per mag no matter who shoots it, its that good now.  My youngest son with his girlfriend from canada wanted to shoot a 9mm pistol so i took them shooting.  My son and her never shot a handgun before.  They shot my CZ85db in 9mm luger and my CZ82 in 9mm mak.  Then they both shot 1 clover leaf on ecah of there targets with my norinco 1911.

I did all the fitting myself and used a IAI national match barrel bushing from CDNN and a new barrel from sportsmans guide $59.  I then fitted the barrel bushing just enough so the barrel can swivel up and down when it cycles.  When its in full battery the barrel is held in place firmly at the barrel bushing.  I lubed the recoil spring, the full length guide rod, slide rails/frame rails and the reset face on the trigger with moly too. Just a little moly will do the trick.