Help with guide rod problem in SW1911

Earlc · #1 10-13-2018, 06:40 PM

Purchased a used SW 1911 and after firing it went to field strip to clean and realized that I didn't have the tool for turning the barrel bushing, after several try to turn the bushing went to an old method of removing slide then removing the guide rod, still had problems and had to actually pull spring upward to get guide rod in far enough to allow the bushing to clear when turning it.when I try to reassemble, I realize that the guide rod protrudes the same distance as the barrel making it impossible to turn the bushing while holding the guid rod and spring in place.
is it possible that the guide rod is too long and not the proper one? Just laying the guide rod in the proper place on the barrel without the spring, the guide rod is as long as the barrel making it impossible for the barrel bushing to be turned.
have many 1911s and have been field stripping them since the USMC in 1961 but this is my first of this model. Thanks for any and all help

minconrevo · #2 10-13-2018, 06:49 PM

I'm assuming it's a one piece full length guide rod. Leave the slide off the frame. Let the portion of the guide rod nearest the barrel feet drop down a tad. This should provide clearance for your to turn the bushing into place. It may require a bushing wrench if the bushing to slide fit is tight.

Earlc · #3 10-13-2018, 08:15 PM

Thank You for your response and after waiting a while and trying it as you said I was able to reassemble my SW1911, but is this normal?it does seem the the guide rod is too long, should I order a new rod?
Thanks again for your help, just hate to think the I should have to do it that way every time that I clean it.

824tsv · #4 10-13-2018, 08:38 PM

I have the full length version in my SW1911PC. You really need a plastic bushing wrench. It will make a world of difference and they are cheap.

Tanners Owner · #5 10-14-2018, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earlc

Thank You for your response and after waiting a while and trying it as you said I was able to reassemble my SW1911, but is this normal?it does seem the the guide rod is too long, should I order a new rod?
Thanks again for your help, just hate to think the I should have to do it that way every time that I clean it.

Earlc- not being a fan of FLGRs, I did swap it out for the standard GI guide rod and new recoil spring plug. Solved the disassembly frustration with no reliability or accuracy issues.

Good luck

AveragEd · #6 10-14-2018, 11:21 AM

All of my 1911s have full-length guide rods and I have no trouble stripping them for cleaning. I do use a bushing wrench - in fact, it is an offset type in which the openings for the bushing flange are turned 90 degrees from the usual style so the wrench blocks the spring when the wrench is turned.

Ed