1911s - Full length guide rod vs. standard length

[GutShot John]

This is addressed to D.R. but all opinions are welcome.

What is your take on the full length recoil spring guide vs. the traditional partial length?

Is there a tradeoff in accuracy and reliability?

Which do you prefer and why?

[Mike Wood]

Not knowing DR's opinion on this I can can only give you mine. A little background first- I've built and used these great guns for many years, I can disassemble/assemble one practically with my eyes closed and know many tricks of how to keep them running and make them run better. Having said that I can also tell you that DR's run better than any of mine and they all look WAY better. This is the difference between a knowledgeable hack and a real gunsmith.

My educated opinion on the FLGR on a 1911 is: I think the coil control may or may even not be a good idea- it might work the spring too much, they do not seem to last as long as a standard (short rod) gun.
Now the biggie:
The 1911 is already a friction intensive gun with it's full length slide rails etc. The FLGR only adds more friction that you do not need. You get extra friction from the spring on the rod and the open end plug sliding on the rod and there may also be some binding going on there as well. John Browning could have easily built this gun with a FLGR but didn't, I'd have to ask why?
Yes there have been many improvements over the years but I don't think this is one of them. I think the claims that it enhances reliability are completely bogus- how, by adding more friction? Anything it helps would be offset by that.

I've always ended up taking them out of any gun Ive put them in. Most experienced gunsmiths concur with this statement.
Less friction = MORE reliability.
My 1.5 cents
MW

[D.R. Middlebrooks]

PRO: The Full Length Guide Rod (FLGR) adds weight right under the muzzle. :cool:

PRO: The Full Length Guide Rod (FLGR) does keep the spring from binding (thus it cycles smoother if properly set up. :cool:

PRO: The Full Length Guide Rod (FLGR) is great when you run the gun to slide lock and have no more ammo...as you can poke the guide rod into someone's skull right before they take it away from your cold dead hands. :eek: :cool:

CON: It adds weight to an already heavy carry gun. :(

CON: It makes the gun harder to field strip. :(

CON: It makes the gun a tad bit more expensive. :(

[GutShot John]

What about the standard guide rod D.R.?

Would reversed pros/cons apply?

Anything you particularly like or dislike about standard guide rods?