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Ok this is probably just me being paranoid, but I figure it never hurts to ask the internet for an opinion. :-)

Does the 1911 (Springfield TRP) look correct in the attached pic. Specifically, the way the barrel and the guide rod don't quite line up. Normal or indicative of a problem?

Thanks!

That's the way it's supposed to be. When the slide starts moving back, the chamber end of the barrel drops down.

Work the slide slowly while watching inside the ejection port and you'll see what I mean.

Watch this video. You can see it at about the 4:00 mark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6SmlOEzNBs

Thanks! Also just found a pic from the web that shows exactly what I'm seeing. Looks like this is totally normal. Thanks for the help. As always, folks on here are really helpful. I love how friendly this community is on here.

But why does the guide rod stick out further than the barrel? That's what I thought the OP was asking. Is it just this model?

But why is there a guide rod on a 1911?

ninjabread wrote:But why is there a guide rod on a 1911?

All 1911s have guide rods. The most common is the short (standard) guide rod:


The second most common is a full-length guide rod which requires an end cap with a hole in it to allow the rod to pass as the slide moves back:



There are others, but those are the most common.

george wrote:

C-dub wrote:But why does the guide rod stick out further than the barrel? That's what I thought the OP was asking. Is it just this model?

Dude, the barrel retracts backwards as it pivots to unlock.

Yes, but the guide rod on my 1911 never sticks out like this when functioning. I've never seen an extended one like in Pawpaw's image and didn't know they existed. My slide retracts backwards exposing the barrel and the barrel only moves backwards enough to be ready to receive the next round. This can all be seen in the animation that Pawpaw also provided. Does the guide rod in that animation do what is seen in the OP's picture?

Pawpaw wrote: The second most common is a full-length guide rod which requires an end cap with a hole in it to allow the rod to pass as the slide moves back:

What is the reason for having this full length longer guide rod?

C-dub wrote:What is the reason for having this full length longer guide rod?

Some people want the recoil spring 100% supported. Others want the extra muzzle weight they claim it provides to reduce muzzle flip. Still others just think it looks cool.

1911s have been performing well for over 100 years with the standard (short) guide rod, but you know how some people are.

EDIT: I'm not implying the OP fits into any of those categories. Some pistols come that way from the factory, which I suspect is the case with the OP's pistol.

I thought it looked a bit odd, but what do I know? I thought the whole flat trigger thing looked odd and then I went and put one on my M4 last week. I think it looks kinda cool, but like I said, what do I know?