So I spent YEARS researching, looking, wondering, holding, watching videos and contemplating. Then I made a decision. The S&W E Series (108482). Shouldn't have been a hard choice, I'm VERY partial to S&W with my M&P45 and K-Frame 19-3.

But then? No one had it in stock. So then I was calling EVERYWHERE, emails, calls, nada... until I found a random FFL with a random connection and she is mine! (Almost, still en-route, pickup Thursday!)

I chose this model because it had ever option I was looking for, namely Frent Strap Checkering, Non-Ambidextrous Safety and no Firing pin block. Plus, who doesn't love those fish scales?

I have no experience with the difference between the full length and GI guide rod. So, to be fully impartial and fair, I want to try both. I'll stick with the full length it came with, but looking for a GI Guide rod set.

Any recommendations? I know I will need guide rod, spring and recoil spring plug. Is there a good "set" that can be purchased? All I've seen on Wilson Combat is individually, and honestly not sure if I need the long or short plug for GI.

And as much as I love the grips that come on these, they don't seem to fit right (in my taste). Interested in some good aftermarket grips, have heard of and checked out VZGrips, any other good products out there?

Thanks in and for all your help!

(end note, I started this over at 1911forum and got nothing. Dont know why I wasted my time when that has so little use and I'm always partial to S&W. This site seems far more effective.

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After much debate I bought a sw1911sc round butt commander. The slick woode grips were replaced by some thin Lok Grips (ebay $47.95). Had to install thin bushings and shorter screws (again ebay $13.76) and replaced the gude rod with GI type commander rod and plug (Fusion, ebay $19.95). This pistol out shoots my Sig 1911 Max, and Nightmare along with my springfiel Gunsite. Equal with my colt delta. practiced with some Buffalo Bore 160gr and was quite manageable. This is my everyday carry.

I have three S&W 1911s, two PCs and one E-Series, all with the full-length guide rods with which they came. I see lots of references on here regarding switching to the GI-style rod but I still don't get it and no one has been able to provide a convincing reason for the switch from what just about every "better" 1911 manufacturer provides. "Personal preference" is about all I can get from those folks but no one establishes what it is that makes the GI "preferable."

So what's your reason?

But either way, I'm sure you'll like your new gun a lot.

Ed

Takedown is simpler with the GI setup. All my current 1911's have the full length rod. It offers no advantage. Someday, when I have nothing better to do, I'll swap them out. No big issue one way or the other.

Well, it would have to be a LOT simpler as I don't find takedown with the full-length rod challenging at all.

Ed

I have a few 1911s and I have not found the full length guide rod to be a PITA so I am just going to keep them that way.

As far as grip, I have a set for my 1911SC made my RMHknives.com and I love them. I will probably be ordering a couple more sets of custom grips. The ones he made me are thin profile and have the S&W logo. I wanted someone to know that not only is that a 1911 riding in the holster, it is a S&W 1911.

More pics of my 1911 are on his website when you scroll through the custom grip section.

Attached Images

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Oh, BTW, I forgot to tell you that you'll love your e-series. The 1911SC in the pic is my daily carry. I also have an Ed Brown Executive Carry and I like the S&W better.

I have the 5" E Series, non-railed model. All I did to it, was change the guide rod and plug back to the standard 1911 style, put a set of Smith PC series grips on it, and shoot it. It's good to go as it comes.

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Changed to a GI style guide rod to save just a little more weight. I am *** impaired and any extra weight loss helps keep my belt up. Just can't bring myself to wearing suspenders.

I've had my E for about four years now and it's completely stock with about three thousand rds down wind. It's been 100 percent reliable while being scary accurate. S&W builds a lot of 1911 for the money.

Would love to see some pics of your new S&W.

I'd kill for the PC Grips, the only thing that stopped me from just getting the PC is the lightening cuts... I'm not purist, but I just can't take it. Draws too much attention to the rest of the pistol!

As for the guide rod, I've got no preference either way, just figured I'd get a feel for each and make my own decision. Im not worried about "more complicated" (and from what I noticed it's really not) with the full length. I own some black powder revolvers... ever try a full disassembly and reassembly by yourself with one of those? THAT is tough lol.

T-bird, you and me both brother... suspense is killing me! I've waited so long to choose, having to wait longer is killing me! I'll try to withhold my excitement long enough Thursday to post a picture or 12 of the exact same exact gun many of you own, why not, right? Haha.

Thanks for the response guys,. The community here alone adds to one of a thousand other reasons why when S&W makes a version of what you want, there really is no competition!

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I finally got her home. And all I can say is that pictures, reviews and videos do no justice. Absolute perfect pistol in every way. Better than any I've held. Cannot wait until Saturday when I can put bullets down the barrel!

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I prefer my 1911's with the GI Guide Rod for 3 reasons. 1) Because that is the way that John Browning designed the pistol and I rather doubt that those innovators who developed the full length guide rod were smarter than John Browning. 2) Don't like chewing up my fingernail or having to use a special tool to get the Barrel Bushing turned for takedown. 3) I'm getting older and have arthritis in both thumbs so being able to do a Press Check by pressing on the spring retainer with an index finger is a lot less painful.

As for the E series, don't have one but have spent some time handling them. Love the fish scales and was VERY impressed by the trigger. It's taken about 2000 rounds downrange to get my Ruger SR1911 to have a trigger as crisp as that trigger in that brand new E series 1911. Do NOT like the external Extractor because John Browning didn't design the 1911 with an external extractor. Probably doesn't mean diddly from a function standpoint but with the original design you can completely detail strip the slide by simply removing the retaining plate at the rear of the slide.

All valid points. I did realize how much of a PITA it can be with a press check and disassembly with the FLGR. Still want to shoot both ways and see if I notice a difference. If not, then I'll go with the GI.

The trigger is great, but seeing as how this will likely be a target/competition gun, I'll likely get it lightened up a bit. But almost no take up, and no side to side wobble, with a super short reset are amazing things!

As for the external extractor, I'm over it. Doesn't bother me. It works. If the round comes out each and every time, I'll accept it. I'm not a purest so much, so not as concerned.

As for grips, really thinking of trying to find someone who doesn't want their PC grips. Otherwise I may just end up ordering the black rubbers from S&W.

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My experience with 1911 guide rods and extractors is limited to one Taurus and three Kimbers with internal extractors and three S&Ws with external extractors. All seven guns had/have full-length guide rods.

I take nothing from John M. Browning's engineering talents but does the car you drive today resemble in any way what Henry Ford designed? And can you say you would prefer Henry's car as a daily driver in all kinds of weather?

The Taurus could not be housebroken as to where it tossed its empty cases and my Kimbers all required periodic "tuning" of the internal extractor to keep the gun ejecting them into my catch net while the external ones on my S&Ws haven't needed any kind of adjustment to do that. Given that, I prefer the external extractors.

I guess some folks might see a benefit to the GI rod but I don't mind using a bushing wrench on my 1911s. Buy a Performance Center 1911 or any 1911 with a Briley bushing and no kind of guide rod will allow you to turn and remove that bushing without one.

Personal preference with neither option being "wrong" I guess.

Ed