Flgr

If you toss it you need a shorty GI plug and a STD Gi style spring cap ...

There are for and against im not much for them as they add to take down ... The one in my smith wesson 1911sc is a one piece so you could take it down no tools if need be if you can keep the recoil spring cap from cutting your fingers to bits since its hollow in the front and sharp.


On my springer loaded its a 2 piece design so you need a allen wrench to take apart the guide rod( its longer than a one piece also) then you can take down no tools from there as long as you dont mind losing fleash from you finger tips..


As to what they do supposedly they prevent spring bind and kink dont see how a spring ina contained area can kink or bind but what do i know..

Best reason for having one i read was in a Jerry Kuhnhausen's fine books that a guide rod will make sure the slide runs straight back and wont tend to slide side to side durning recoil prolonging the tightness of the slide to frame fit ..


Again i dont know if its true or not .. I havent replaced the guide rod in either of my 1911's that have them yet but have the parts to do it here for my springfield

One other negitive about a 2 piece rod is they like to unscrew and launch down range..


Now as for most other guns and why they have the guide rod i say its to ease in taking it apart espically the captive springs.. couldnt imagine trying to put back together my HK glock ruger or the short tiem i have a sig with no guide rod no way to hold spring in place...

This is just what i think you mileage will vary

Have heard by some of the "1911 GURU's" that it's totally useless.(But can't find out why I should not have one) I have one in one of my 1911's(Colt)and It seems to shoot better. Seems to tame the recoil of the CORBON's better but could be dreamin'. Have heard that it is a real hassle to disassemble the weapon with a FLGR in but can't say as I believe that either. Lot's of the guru's say to ALWAYS leave the 1911's the way that they wuz ment to be,but can't say that I understand that either. Not with all the aftermarket parts offered for them. (How many 1911's do you see being used in competition that are bare a$$ stock ??) My opinion is that it's not a cure-all for what you percieve could be wrong with your 1911---but will it hurt the 1911 by adding a FLGR ?? I am not an authority on the 1911,but I say no it wont. Do you gotta have one ?? I say no.---------