Reassembling a 460 Rowland

[BEEMER!]

Maybe I am the only guy who has trouble reassembling a 1911 with a Clark 460 Rowland kit with the 24# spring and a 2 piece guide rod.  My hands are arthritic and I hate to shoot the pistol as I hate to take it down.  When I bought the kit I asked about a captive spring/guide rod and nothing was available.

I called Clark again today and Renae who works there is selling this system on line.  I ordered one to try.

I have the kit so I ordered the one piece guide rod and the delrin tool.



http://shootoutlane.net/#!/Gun-Parts-&-Accessories/c/13124921/offset=0&sort=normal

[dred]

Subscribed 'cause I'm hoping this humanizes the installation process.  Getting the 24lb spring and guide rod into place is insanely difficult.  I have a dawson tool less which would make it much easier, but I need a plug I can install from the rear.

It took me the better part of an evening to get it together the first time.  I haven't dared take it apart yet.

[asilcot10]

When I was shooting the 460 Rowland conversion in a Sig Tac Ops I had the same problem with installation. I solved my problem by cutting a short length of 1/4" rod and covering it with a piece of heat shrink tubing. I rounded the ends slightly to remove the sharp edges before covering. Install the barrel, then the bushing and recoil spring plug as shown on Clark's install video. Then insert the 1/4" rod from the front of the slide through the recoil spring plug and install the recoil spring and back half of the guide rod.  Install the slide onto the frame and insert the slide stop as shown in the video. Pull the installation tool out of the front. Insert the front half of the guide rod and tighten as shown. The rod will keep the spring from jumping out of place as the slide goes onto the frame. (You will still need to keep a finger on the spring to make it stay in place but much easier than trying to hold the spring alone). A piece of 1/4" hardwood dowel would probably work but the steel rod with the tubing cover will last a lot longer.

[BEEMER!]

Here is a video showing the one piece guide rod.

The delrin tool takes the place of the washer.  I hope it is easier.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-YuAGuoBVg

[BEEMER!]

I received the one piece guide rod and the tool today in the mail from shootoutlane.net.

I could not find my 24# spring at first so I tried a 22# and it worked great.  Found my 24# spring then and again, no problems.

I am going to dig out my Springfield V16 in 45 Super which I haven't shot for a long time because of the same reason.  Getting a 22# 6" spring into the long slide is harder than the 460 I think.