full length guide rod?

224, I for one would not put beavertail grip safeties or flat mainspring housings in that category. Without a beavertail I get serious hammerbite while shooting a 1911 which makes practice unpleasant and a 1911 points better for me with a flat mainspring housing...and how a gun points can be vital in a defense situation.
 
RikWriter,

I agree, in the aspect that I also prefer beaver tails and flat mainspring housings on my 1911s. But that's looking at it from a personal standpoint, not a general one. My hands are larger than average but everyone elses aren't. In a broad general sense these aren't absolutley have to have items.
 
224, ah, ok, I see what you mean. I don't know though, it seems to me hammerbite must be a pretty common phenomena since so many people prefer the beavertail. Wonder if we should run a survey? ;)
 
I would say offhand that the vast majority would prefer a beavertail grip safety. Some, like us, that really need them (I still have a scar on the web of my shooting hand from my first 1911). Some because they just look neat (which they do) and some because the gunsmith whose selling them says that you've got to have one. That's one of the beauties of the 1911. There are so many accesories that you can tinker to your hearts content :)
 
Sorry, but I agree with Brian here. In my experience the full length guide rod does nothing to enhance accuracy or reliability.

Actually, my 1911 with standard plug and guide was more accurate and reliable than a friends Kimber at a recent IDPA match.
 
If a faster recovery and accuracy is what you’re looking for, maybe you should try a compensator. They work a lot better I think. Full-length guide rods don’t do any thing for accuracy. At least not that I can tell. If I were you I would keep the guide rod I have in it and improve some thing else like beaver tail, grip safety, skeletonized trigger, mag well, checkered front and back strap, ect… As for one handed loading you are stupid if you even attempt to do some thing like that. Unless you don’t have but one hand or you can’t use one hand because of injury or some thing to that nature. I can’t believe anyone would even think about telling someone to do that.

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FAsT_bLAdE

[This message has been edited by FAsT_bLAdE (edited February 14, 2000).]
 
1911heaven, IDPA has a weight limit for CDP. How does your 1911 pass with the 5 extra oz. in that tungsten guide rod?

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John
(formerly johnboy)
 
John--I have not shot a CDP match with my full size; I mentioned in my post that it made a big difference in double-tap training in IDPA scenarios which was the best way I could quantify the modification and determine if any benefits were there. I believe in "shoot what you carry" and my match gun is a Commander,although I am in the process of trying to decide if I want to go to a full size for carry & match. I agree with IDPA restrictions and am the last person that would want to see IDPA turn into another "race gun" sport as this is what ran me out of IPSC in the '80's. I am an inveterate tinkerer though and do intend on trying this in the Commander just to see if there is a noticable difference.
 
1911Heaven, just curious. I am in total agreement with you on shoot what you carry. I went to a IWB for carry of my Stainless Kimber and sold my Compact. If I am going to carry the weight, I am with a full size. The IWB made it easier to conceal, and I have shot matches with it.

Not to cause a flame war, but the IDPA rule book states that all guide rods are to be made from steel only (for CDP & ESP).

It is also fun to go out to a match with a 1911 that is for match competition only, shooting loads that just make power factor and play with the gamers.

With respect to the original subject matter of this thread, both of my Kimbers have steel guide rods which are IDPA legal. Also, I see no reason to buy additional pieces to replace them.

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John
(formerly johnboy)
 
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