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Yesterday I picked up my new SA Loaded 1911 .45 in Stainless (http://springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=3. This has been on my list for quite some time and I finally decided to pull the trigger (figuratively). Hopefully I can get some real trigger time this weekend. Anyway, I have 2 questions about this weapon:

1) It has a 2 piece guide rod. I don't really like this simply because it requires a hex key to strip the weapon. The front half of the guide rod must be removed before the recoil spring tension can be released (the guide rod sits flush with the front of the recoil spring retention cap. The barrel bushing cannot be turned until the front half of the guide rod is removed). I have a Para double stack 1911 in .40 that has a 1 piece guide rod. It is about 1/8" shorter, so no tool is required for take down. Can I simply replace the 2 piece guide rod with a single piece one similar to the Para?

2) The capacity of this weapon is only 7+1. It's odd considering my SA micro-compact (3") is 6+1. SA sells 10 round, single stack mags but I'm concerned they might stick out. An extended base plate is fine (the current mags are completely flush with no pad on the base plate). Does anyone know if these 10 round mags will sit flush in the weapon?

Thanks

1) yes you can just replace them, but if you have a loaded it would be just wrong to put a para guide rod in there, go pick up a wilson combat one piece and never look back, but your answer is yes you can just replace them.

2) no a 10 rounds will NOT sit flush, it will stick out like 3 inches, you can replace the mags with 8 rounds but expect it to stick out just a bit, usually if you have a magwell they will sit flush, that should give you an idea about how much it will extend but most 1911 flush fit mags are 7 rounds, i have found the the wilson 47d work great and they stick out maybe 1/4 an inch, or wilson combat etm are the best but itll be more than that.

so theres your answers enjoy the new gun! gotta love them springfield 1911s

I have a full size Colt 1911 and I have some 8 rd (Colt brand) mags that sit flush.

I have a Loaded Parkerized, and I use 8 round Cobra Mags from Tripp Research. But I also added the aluminum MAGRIP extended grip panels which form a magwell. Love the gun.

Eight round mags are considered flush fit 10 round are not. Guide rods . . . two piece guide rods are a malfunction waiting to happen chuck the two piece. get either a one piece guide rod or, a GI style guide rod and spring cap. I don't like full length guide rods in a 1911 and always replace them with a standard guide rod.

MoJo wrote:Eight round mags are considered flush fit 10 round are not. Guide rods . . . two piece guide rods are a malfunction waiting to happen chuck the two piece. get either a one piece guide rod or, a GI style guide rod and spring cap. I don't like full length guide rods in a 1911 and always replace them with a standard guide rod.

And actually, I have been meaning to make that conversion on my Loaded model. I've noticed at least a couple of times after range trips that the guide rod had loosened up. It didn't back out, but the guide rod was no longer tightly threaded in.

OK, so here's my question - which guide rod (one piece G.I.) from Brownells do I need
for a 5" RIA Tactical (Match Grade)?

It has a one-piece full-length guide rod, standard.

I don't know if I should change it or not. I've not had any
issues at all over the 500-ish fmj rounds downrange so far.

Thanks!
Bryan

AndyC wrote:

MoJo wrote:I don't like full length guide rods in a 1911 and always replace them with a standard guide rod.

Andy
You're not being grumpy are you?

Reserve161 wrote:OK, so here's my question - which guide rod (one piece G.I.) from Brownells do I need
for a 5" RIA Tactical (Match Grade)?

It has a one-piece full-length guide rod, standard.

I don't know if I should change it or not. I've not had any
issues at all over the 500-ish fmj rounds downrange so far.

Thanks!
Bryan

If you have an one piece guide rod and you are happy with it OK. The two piece GR are poison. I change to a GI style for convenience in one handed pistol handling. Here's a Brownell's shopping cart with the parts you'll need to convert to GI style. The plug is blue, there are SS ones also. http://www.brownells.com/aspx/store/cart.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Andy beat me to it.

Thank you both, Andy and MoJo - above and beyond and thank you for that!

Why is it odd that your micro is 6+1? It is a shorter grip. Add me to the list of FLGR haters. No need for it.