Gunsmithing 1911 Guide Rod Problems, Help!

NHPiper

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  • Feb 17, 2017
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    Concord, NH
    Anyone know whats up with my Springfield TRP Operator? Both the factory guide rod and new Dawson are doing the same thing and beating up the barrel. Factory recoil spring, #16 I think. Gun only has a few hundred rounds on it and the new Dawson (see photo) was shot for the 1st time today.
     

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    Were the marks on the barrel link connection there before the Dawson was put in there? How is it cycling? Is the Dawson or the factory captured spring sloppy, rattling around? Dawson has 3 different types of "tool less" captured springs, only 1 being specific for the TRP. Any malfunctions or stovepipes? Are you shooting +P loads?
    I had a TRP and shot about 600rds through is and never had the guide rod banging against the barrel link connection..
     
    Anyone know whats up with my Springfield TRP Operator? Both the factory guide rod and new Dawson are doing the same thing and beating up the barrel. Factory recoil spring, #16 I think. Gun only has a few hundred rounds on it and the new Dawson (see photo) was shot for the 1st time today.

    Peening like that is usually the result of a poor barrel fit. You didn't happen to replace the barrel?
     
    Thanks for the responses guys. This is happening on the old guide rod from Springfield and the new one from Dawson, designed for the TRP. Barrel is the original one from Springfield too, which means it would be that way from the factory. I shot another 100 rounds through it yesterday and didn't see any new signs of wear.

    Regarding the barrel link lugs, whats the problem? Are they too wide and not sitting fully into the slide? There is ZERO slop with the barrel when the slide is in full battery.
     
    This might not be helpful but in my experience, you can't go wrong with just a GI setup. I have not found any disadvantages to not having a guide rod, and it's easier to disassemble. Just my opinion!
     
    I kind of like solid guide rods and I'm one of the minority that thinks they make disassembly easier.

    I just pull the slide back with my left hand over the top of the slide and pop out the slide stop. I don't mess with the bushing until after the slide is off.

    That method doesn't work if you don't have a guide rod to capture the spring.

    GI style is functionally just as good but more likely to launch a spring at you or be a pain in the butt if your bushing is a friction fit.