Oddball guide rod?

General Firearms Handguns - 1911
1

This was in an old colt I got in a trade.



What is it and could it be causing the malfs I’ve been getting?

I’ve looked for something like it but can’t find anything. It might be something from the 80’s that never caught on.

Thanks -

bob

2

It’s an old school “buffer” guide rod. I had a gunsmith a long time ago recommend it. Bad idea. I ran it in my Colt for a while and it caused problems, so it could be responsible for your malf’s. The hex screw adjusts the amount of resistance on that spring loaded plunger, which hits the frame. It’s supposed to stop frame battering, but it also stops the gun from functioning sometimes. The worst thing it can do is the screw completely backs out of the thing, thereby stopping the gun from running at all. Get yourself a good USGI guide rod and ditch that thing. I kept mine as a reminder not to put dumb things in my carry pistol. And sorry, I can’t remember who made it.

Hope this helps.

3

Thanks. Thats what i thought it might be. I’ve never had to buy a guide rod - are they all created equal? Should I just try to find a Colt GI rod, or is there a better option?

Thanks -

Bob

4

Any decent quality GI style guide rod will set you straight. $15-20 should be all it takes for a new one.

5

They were a big craze back in the 70’s. Didn’t work then and probably still doesn’t. I still have one out in the MISC parts box.

ANY COLLECTOR INTEREST? I will part with it for the price of postage.

6

Here’s a couple choices. I would probably lean toward the Ed Brown.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=41714/Product/RECOIL_SPRING_GUIDES_for_1911_AUTO

http://shopwilsoncombat.com/Recoil-Spring-Guide-Solid-Bullet-Proof-Parkerized/productinfo/575/

Good luck!

7

Get an Ed Brown USGI guide rod and Recoil Spring Plug and call it a day.

Should run you about $25.

8

I seem to remember finding evidence that this style of buffer dates back to the 1940s or '50s.

I do note one issue. The screw holding the plunger and spring inside the rod has backed out.