Installing Wilson FLGR in SA Milspec

[apollo18]

I realize there is quite a debate about the purpose and effectiveness of installing a full length guide rod in a 1911. I acknowledge that there are good and bad arguments on both sides of this issue, but I've made the decision to install a full length guide rod in my SA Milspec. I ask that you respect that decision, but I give you full right to mock me relentlessly should the FLGR screw up my platform...

With that said, what it the trick to installing this thing? It looks to be a straight drop in process, but I can't it to fit.

Here's the process I'm using:

1) Field strip the 1911 setting aside the factory guide rod and plug.
2) Install the FLGR into the slide
3) Install the recoil spring from the front
4) Re-assemble the 1911 (the recoil spring is extended out the front)
5) Compress the recoil spring with the bushing.

This is where it stops working for me. At first I thought it was that I couldn't compress the recoil spring enough to get the bushing down to the point I could turn the barrel bushing to the locked position. But after several test I concluded that wasn't the issue. I've also checked the fit of everything, and found no issues (i.e. the bushing fits without the spring, I can slide the down bushing down and compress the spring on the rod if its not in the weapon, etc) but when I try to compress it installed, its like it is catching on something.

So what is the trick? Google didn't help and sadly neither did the search function on this forum.

 

[David E]

Which one do you have ? Wilson lists 6-7 of them. one piece? two piece? tungsten? Is there a hole 1/2 way down?

Presuming you have a one piece solid rod, make sure the barrel link is not pointing towards the muzzle.

I couldn't compress the recoil spring enough to get the bushing down to the point I could turn the barrel bushing

I hope you mean the "spring plug" when you say "bushing" where I underlined.

Make sure the spring goes over the FLGR all the way down. Sometimes, there is a slight step about 1/4" or so in front of the rear flange. Make sure the spring seats against the flange.

SOME FLGR's require specific, non-standard springs. Make sure yours isn't one of them.

Ensure the spring plug fits over the FLGR and fits inside the slide.

If all of that checks out, compress the spring using the guide plug until it's inside the dustcover. Use a bushing wrench, if needed, to turn the bushing into place.

If this doesn't work, then we need pictures.

BTW, I've taken OUT my FLGR's wherever possible.

 

[apollo18]

Thanks David!

I have the Wilson One Piece 25G, it does have a step in front of the rear flange and I did ensure that the spring slipped over this step to seat against the flange (which was a major PITA to accomplish).

I called it the bushing because thats what it was called on a website (http://guiderod.com/Colt/Colt.html) I found with instructions for installing a FLGR (of course just because its on the internet doesn't make it right). It looks like the Wilson website refers to the piece I called the bushing as a plug (pictured as the 25P).

I'll try to get pictures posted up tonight as it sounds like I'm doing everything right. When I push down on the plug it goes until it hits what feels like a stop of some sort. With out the spring the plug slides all the way in.

 

[apollo18]

Ok, after coming home going through it all over again and taking pictures I figured out the problem (sarcasm on)Yay for a high GT score! (/sarcasm off)

The end of the spring was catching between the end of the guide rod and the plug which was preventing the plug from going down far enough for me to rotate the bushing back over it. Bending the end of the spring out (without distorting the spring) did the trick.

Now to go shoot with it.