Smith & Wesson E Series Mods

mag318

mag318

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Christmas 2012 my wife bought me an E Series 1911 which I absolutely love. The only thing I didn't care for was the FLGR, so I ordered a RLGR and plug from Wilson Combat and installed it. A friend here asked me why I change it and I stated 3 reasons.
1. I just like the looks of the original length guide rod better.
2. Press checks are easier now.
3. Takedown doesn't require a tool anymore.
Wilson Combats parts are top shelf and the fit was perfect. I can feel no difference in the feel of racking the slide, it's just as smooth as before. So now my E Series 1911 is perfect for me.
If anyone here ever feels like switching out there FLGR I highly recommend the Wilson Combat parts, good stuff.
 

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Good post. I've been thinking about changing out the FLGR on mine. I find it's more of a PITA than anything else. Did you notice any change in accuracy?
 
Not in the slightest, the accuracy is still superb. Prior to my wife buying this E Series pistol for me, a 1911 had to be a Colt. And although I still like Colts this E Series 1911 would make John Browning proud.
 
I've been very pleased with mine. It's had the best reliability with all types of ammo of any 1911 I've owned or tried. A lot of nice features for the money, too. I'd be hard pressed to pay a lot more for a 1911, but do want to get of the 1911SCs (I think that's the designation), the 4.25" E-Series with the rounded butt.
 
The FLGR is not needed. It does not do anything except prevent press checks, which is the primary reason manufacturers put it on 1911s these days. There are many such decisions made in the name of "liability," and gun companies love to disguise these unfortunate decisions by giving some other bogus example of why such a feature should be included.

The 1911 was designed to be able to be loaded with one hand by pressing the bottom edge of the slide against a hard surface. You will note that the slide can be run back far enough to pick up the next round from the magazine using this method. One handed loading is sometimes necessary.

The FLGR makes this traditional method of one-handed loading impossible. Yes, you can drag your slide back by its rear sight, but I am not a fan of this method.

The FLGR also makes disassembly without tools a thing of the past.

The FLGR does nothing for accuracy or reliability as some contend.

Fortunately, the FLGR is easy to remove and replace with appropriate GI parts. The FLGR has no place on any 1911.
 
A GI guide rod and plug are the only mods I'd consider doing to my new SW 1911 TA.

1390783964_zps2ba27dc0.jpg
 
Robb a press check is a process of checking your 1911 to see if there is a round in the chamber. Presuming you're right handed you put your left hand thumb inside the trigger guard and your right forefinger under the muzzle on the recoil spring plug. Then you push the slide back just enough to see if there is a round chambered, hence it's called a press check. Some may say it's not necessary with the S&W 1911s because of the small window at the top rear of the chamber. But I prefer doing press checks out of a decades long habit. With a FLGR this is impossible to do.
 
mag318 said:
Robb a press check is a process of checking your 1911 to see if there is a round in the chamber. Presuming you're right handed you put your left hand thumb inside the trigger guard and your right forefinger under the muzzle on the recoil spring plug. Then you push the slide back just enough to see if there is a round chambered, hence it's called a press check. Some may say it's not necessary with the S&W 1911s because of the small window at the top rear of the chamber. But I prefer doing press checks out of a decades long habit. With a FLGR this is impossible to do.
Click to expand...

My 1911 lesson for today. So much to learn, so little time. Thanks!!
 
I've been looking at the 1911sc for months now, went to my LGS and she had one for me in a week. Did not get the 2 tone but it is still a beautiful gun love the look and feel. Took it apart and not a scratch.Need to get to the range, any ammo recommendations?
 
The factory grips on my "E" Series are a thing of beauty but I wanted something with a little more adhesion. This weekend while attending the NRA convention in Indianapolis I checked out the VZ booth. They had so many options it took me 2 days to decide on these. I've seen their grips on several makers 1911s as an option and now I know why, these grips are fantastic.
 

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shawn mccarver said:
The FLGR is not needed. It does not do anything except prevent press checks, which is the primary reason manufacturers put it on 1911s these days. There are many such decisions made in the name of "liability," and gun companies love to disguise these unfortunate decisions by giving some other bogus example of why such a feature should be included.

The 1911 was designed to be able to be loaded with one hand by pressing the bottom edge of the slide against a hard surface. You will note that the slide can be run back far enough to pick up the next round from the magazine using this method. One handed loading is sometimes necessary.

The FLGR makes this traditional method of one-handed loading impossible. Yes, you can drag your slide back by its rear sight, but I am not a fan of this method.

The FLGR also makes disassembly without tools a thing of the past.

The FLGR does nothing for accuracy or reliability as some contend.

Fortunately, the FLGR is easy to remove and replace with appropriate GI parts. The FLGR has no place on any 1911.
Click to expand...

Hi. I just wanted to say that don't understand disassembly without tools being a thing of the past with a full length guide rod (FLGR), but maybe I am misunderstanding you here. I disassemble and reassemble my 1911sc without tools, the only 1911 I have with a FLGR. The FLGR makes this process easier because the rod keeps the spring from popping out. I am left handed, so I place the gun in my open right hand with the muzzle pointing to the left and grip my fingers over the slide. Then with my left hand I push the slide back so the disassembly notch lines up exactly with the hump on the slide release lever/pin and hold the slide to the frame firmly with my the fingers of right hand and the inside of my right thumb against the grip safety. I then remove the pin from behind the frame with my left hand while the slide is kept with my right fingers and thumb under spring pressure in the rearward position. Then I slowly allow the slide to come forward (to the left) again. The barrel bushing is not a real custom fit, so it can be removed without a wrench. And I do not leave an "idiot scratch" - did that just once on my first .45 a long time ago. So for me, I can take or leave the full length guide rod. It does not seem to hurt accuracy and the gun holds a 3" black shooting ball off hand at 50' no problems - not sure what it will do in a rest or on bags w 185 lead WC's.
 
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I'll say this, the E series 1911s are drop dead gorgeous.

I'd love to get one when I can.
 
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