The only thing I have swapped out in my Kimber TLE II (...which I am surprised has been this good after 5 years and is still in my collection) has been that awful 1 piece guide rod.

What a pain in the butt to take down! Given that the barrel bushing on Kimbers is already pretty tight, they added insult to injury with this horrible 1 piece rod.

Ok, so you CAN use the base of a standard 1911 mag to take it down, but that is still on the awkward side. Not fumble-proof, either. Besides, I mainly use Wilson 47D mags and they don't have that rounded base plate.

Unless you think you HAVE to have that rod...I would go with a standard GI plug and rod set-up. Honestly...I noticed NO difference in how the 1 piece unit made the Kimber shoot. It only made it harder to take down.

None of my other 3 1911s (2 Colts and a Springer) have that 1 piece set up, either. It is best to stick with the old GI spring guide and plug....really.

-brickboy240