Semi-auto guide rods: Function with and without lasers?

[surprise_i'm_armed]

Here's a simple couple of questions for someone who knows:

1. Can you please explain the mechanics of the guide rods under a semi-auto's barrel?

2. There are lasers which fit into the guide rod space. If you load a laser in there, how does this
affect whatever the guide rod was doing? Is the laser device itself a combo device, which includes a guide rod?

TIA / SIA

[apostate]

The guide rod keeps the recoil spring from moving out of line, so it compresses consistently. Some pistols have a plastic guide rod. The classic 1911 design has a short (not full-length) guide rod. They do the job just fine.

The lasers that replace the full-length guide rod serve the same function by guiding the recoil spring's movement/compression. Plus have a laser. (But no sharks.)

[USA1]

I've always been curiuos about how these laser systems are activated. Is there a wire running to a pressure switch through the frame? Where is the switch located?

[RPB]

I've always been curiuos about how these laser systems are activated. Is there a wire running to a pressure switch through the frame? Where is the switch located?

There's no extra pressure switch wiring
These are on or off ... they are pulsating lasers rather than steady on light.

The switch is the takedown lever/or a button on the "new" takedown lever. Where your index finger rest alongside the frame, right under the slide.

On Glocks
The takedown lever and spring under the takedown lever are replaced; the new takedown lever is slightly (not much) longer and has an insulator/contact area ...the takedown lever becomes a switch, when pressed/pushed in from either side, it clicks/switches on the laser by connecting the 2 contacts on the rear of the guide rod/laser much like a sliding switch on a flashlight/battery contact.

Taurus PT92/99
The takedown lever is replaced and the new one has a tiny button in the center of it, which performs much like the one on a Glock above

I don't have one for my new XD45 yet. I"m thinking internal laser, external flashlight on it ... for home mostly.

Pretty easy to install, I've done it on 4 or 5 over the last several years I think.

I wish they were 1) cheaper ... 2) available in green

I like that they don't tie up the rail, that they can be used on guns with no rail and that no special holsters are needed.

[USA1]

Thanks RPB. I find this system intriguing. Now I'm wondering about adjustment and how well it holds an adjustment.

They still seem a bit pricey to me compared to external systems. I would love to hear more thoughts by people who have this.

[WildBill]

Thanks RPB. I find this system intriguing. Now I'm wondering about adjustment and how well it holds an adjustment.

They still seem a bit pricey to me compared to external systems. I would love to hear more thoughts by people who have this.

I wouldn't think that they would need adjustment. I thought that was the main advantage that they were already lined up with the frame and the barrel.

[RPB]

Thanks RPB. I find this system intriguing. Now I'm wondering about adjustment and how well it holds an adjustment.

They still seem a bit pricey to me compared to external systems. I would love to hear more thoughts by people who have this.

I wouldn't think that they would need adjustment. I thought that was the main advantage that they were already lined up with the frame and the barrel.

No adjustment needed; they are parallel to the barrel.
That's actually why I like them so much, a few of my "others" (crimson trace on a rail, on a grip, on a trigger guard etc) seem to need adjusting every so often as vibration alters where I set them ... the internal guide rod ones, never need adjusting, nor does the barrel ever need "aligning" ... they run parallel to each other.; barrel and guide rod.

They say ported barrels aren't as accurate with them, but I've had no problem on those either at 21'-40' or so ... I'm pretty well resolved not to fire a pistol over 50' away or so in most situations anyway since most Self Defense encounters occur at shorter ranges.. whether I have a laser or not.

Often, when replacing sights (I like Advantage Tactical Sights) I install the laser, then adjust the sights to match the laser .... but the laser doesn't need "adjusting"
http://www.lasermax.com/Products/GuideRodLasers.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Note the little button (switch) on the takedown lever in the photo

Alignment, factory-set and permanent.
Your LaserMax Guide Rod Laser sight comes permanently
aligned from our factory for center-of-mass accuracy at 20 yards.
It will never drift out of alignment. And there is no need to
re-zero it after changing batteries.

[barres]

The one complaint I've heard about the guide rod lasers is that the lens gets coated in GSR after a little practice, which renders the laser useless until cleaned properly. This is not from personal experience, and many would not consider this to be much of an issue, because they clean their pistols after each range session, anyway.

[RPB]

The one complaint I've heard about the guide rod lasers is that the lens gets coated in GSR after a little practice, which renders the laser useless until cleaned properly. This is not from personal experience, and many would not consider this to be much of an issue, because they clean their pistols after each range session, anyway.

It is true, the powder residue collects on the lens, as it would on the front of the guide rod..... after 50 to 100 rounds, I wipe the lens with a finger/thumb or tissue or shirt sleeve comes clean easy while fresh powder residue, if I forget, then later, spit on my thumb and wipe the lens ... not really a huge issue though. I don't expect to need 50 or 100 rounds in a self defense situation, if I do, it's easy to wipe off. Same can happen to a rail mounted under barrel laser too.

[C-dub]

Great breakdown RPB. I have thought about getting one of these for one or both of my Glocks for a couple of years now. With my 40y+ eyes it is slowly becoming an issue.

Anyway, with the slightly longer take-down switch, you haven't seen any problems with the laser being activated and wearing the batteries down or the gun not fitting into a holster have you?

[RPB]

Great breakdown RPB. I have thought about getting one of these for one or both of my Glocks for a couple of years now. With my 40y+ eyes it is slowly becoming an issue.

Anyway, with the slightly longer take-down switch, you haven't seen any problems with the laser being activated and wearing the batteries down or the gun not fitting into a holster have you?

most holsters, no issues, ONE holster by Rob Durham, comfort carry, kydex was SO tight it activated laser due to longer takedown lever, 3 minutes with a hairdryer and spoon, problem solved ... Rob forms it so tight into the finger groove area of the takedown lever it needs a spoon inside and hairdryer heat to loosen it anyway ... no issues on Desantis holster, kholster or any others ... easy fix to kydex though, just heat that 1 indentation spot, push out with spoon slightly ... Rob had the standard takedown lever scratching kydex, his mold must be a blue gun with no takedown lever at all ... :)

[stoneg1]

I have had a CT laser (grip mounted) on my Colt Combat Commander for years and have not had to adjust the sight alignment after 1000's of rounds other than the first time I shot it. I also have one on my Glock 21 since I bought it and shot hundreds of rounds without any need for adjustment. Also have one on my Rossi SR9C (rail mounted) and it is still holding the sight alignment after 100's of rounds fired through it. All these laser's are activated when gripped with the firing hand but you can relax your grip slightly if you do not want to activate the laser. The Colt and an off/on switch if you want to turn it off completely if I wanted to use to qualify.