plastic guide rod replacement

J DOG · #51 07-27-2015, 11:17 AM

I'm also curious about the spring tension on the guide rod. i would get a steel guide rod but really just for looks. my question is would going with a 20lb assembly over the 17lb stock one be a worth while investment. i have the sd40ve and i use 180 grain ammo usually.i saw a guy on YouTube say he replaced his and the recoil was less. i have no issues with function at all with the gun being stock even though (apex spring and trigger kit on its way to my house now).but a little less recoil wouldn't hurt even though it doesn't particularly bother me now.

GRU_ 7_ mech · #52 07-27-2015, 12:01 PM

All this guide rod talk has never been an issue with any pistol I have ever owned except for the must have a gun for the serial number to apply for a NY license when I lived there. I got a cheap, used SCCY CPX1, gen 1 and must have replaced 5 guide rod assys. Two because they broke and 3 because SCCY kept coming out with a new and improved rod and spring.....which was never an improvement, even on the newest gen2 models. So.....I shoot 115 and 124 gr factory loads in my SD9VE I do not need to go to a different #spring unless I go to +p, NATO or 147 gr loads for everyday use?....Right?

earthtone31 · #53 08-19-2015, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruthless robbie

Agreed, the Glock for example is a higher quality and higher priced gun that also comes factory with a polymer guide rod. However, the most popular first "upgrade" glock owners do to their gun is replace the polymer guide rod as it's common knowledge in the glock world that the polymer guide rods do break as mentioned by glock themselves in the videos above.

And I'm not concerned about the "recoil spring" I'm concerned about a bending plastic guide rod and we all know plastic that bends also weakens and eventually breaks.

I bought my SD9VE for $319 at Academy Sports last week, put a $35 stainless guide rod and now feel that I have a very reliable $355 gun. And would suggest to all owners that have plastic guide rods that a stainless replacement should be done for reliability. There's been many many guide rods break on glocks and like I mentioned earlier, if the gun fails at the range then that's fine but what if it fails when it's needed in a self defense situation? As a matter of fact, the SD part in our gun stands for "Self Defense". You would think that with how anal gun owners are with owning a gun in general that we should all agree on reliability and that should be the main focus point. We're talking about a tool used for self defense, not a wrench for a car.

Just a suggestion.

I agree with you 100%! I replaced the plastic/polymer guide rod on my SD9VE as soon as I got the gun and I have had no issues at all with the gun. It feels much more reliable to me, steel beats plastic everytime, to me its common sense.

tfields · #54 09-07-2015, 03:15 PM

brownell's has the polyemer replacement guide rods spring assembly go buy 3 for the price of 1 ss rod problem solved!

T-5 · #55 09-15-2015, 10:17 AM

I just ordered a ss guide rod for my sd9ve. I noticed while cleaning my weapon that the flat end that sits against the barrel was starting to wear. (Not Good).

T-5 · #56 09-15-2015, 11:14 AM

Correction I ordered a 17lb. Black Oxide Steel replacement guide rod assembly does anyone know anything about this?

GKC · #57 09-15-2015, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-5

I just ordered a ss guide rod for my sd9ve. I noticed while cleaning my weapon that the flat end that sits against the barrel was starting to wear. (Not Good).

Are you referring to your OEM polymer rod that is showing wear?

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-5

Correction I ordered a 17lb. Black Oxide Steel replacement guide rod assembly does anyone know anything about this?

Did you order it from Galloway Precision? I have had them in both colors, and they perform equally...I just prefer the bright stainless.

T-5 · #58 09-16-2015, 02:03 PM

Yeah the OEM guide rod

T-5 · #59 09-16-2015, 02:07 PM

yeah I bought it from Galloway.
what did you get 17, 20 or 22lbs.?

GKC · #60 09-16-2015, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-5

yeah I bought it from Galloway.
what did you get 17, 20 or 22lbs.?

I bought the 17lb for my 9, and the 20lb for my 40.

T-5 · #61 09-18-2015, 01:10 PM

Ok, Thank you GKC and thank you for your service. let me know how the17lb. worked in your 9.

GKC · #62 09-18-2015, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-5

Ok, Thank you GKC and thank you for your service.

You're welcome!

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-5

let me know how the17lb. worked in your 9.

It works fine...I bought mine several years ago, and the button sticks out of the slide just a bit. That doesn't bother me at all, and it doesn't affect functionality, but I think I read that they are making them more flush now.

I use 115 gr ammo usually, and I don't use +p, so the 17lb spring works fine.

mr tlee sd9 · #63 01-14-2016, 12:52 PM

After reading the posts I decided to stay with factory. But all the after market one's are SS. I called S&W told them I wanted to order a plastic replacement for back up part, asked how much. They said they will send me one for free. What a surprise Great. Thanks S&W.

ou1954 · #64 01-14-2016, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brchambersjr

When the pistol is assembled the guide rod is not touching the barrel lug as it does when the slide is removed. The base of the rod is seated in it's "bed" in the frame and supported. That "issue" is really a non-issue unless you absolutely have to change it to a steel guide rod. The only thing about a steel guide rod is that it will not flex like the factory guide rod is designed to do while firing.

Bill

This is a very old thread. now active, and I remember posting a comment here some time ago, but maybe someone can clarify the "bed" issue.

I decided to have another look and it does seem that the rear end of the rod does touch something when the slide is put back on, just can't actually see what it is.

However, in looking at the frame with the slide off I see a couple of thin plastic "wings" which are apparently the "rod bed". They look pretty thin but may be backed up by the forward slanted edge of the "takedown bar/barrel stop".

So, someone please confirm for me that I am seeing the bed which prevents the end of the rod from being loaded off center.

One more comment- I still haven't been able to see the plastic rod bend any way I look.

Another One more comment- I only shoot enough to feel comfortable with my SD9VE. Should I really try to have another trigger spring on hand?

sarg1c · #65 01-14-2016, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbr6864

I fully trust plastic guide rods, I don't think I could afford the ammo required to see a failure. Also on at least two of my guns that I upgraded to a metal guide rod I am seeing a good amount of wear in the front of the slide where the guide rod is wobbling out the hole. I'd much rather buy a new plastic guide rod vs new slide.

As to why the M&P line comes with a metal guide rod it's the same reason it comes with metal sights as the gun cost $200-250 more. Take away all the upgrades the M&P has over the sigma/SD then there is no point in buying the M&P

not being a range gun and fired very little I believe I will leave the plastic guide rod as is in my Colt pocketlite. No problem yet. I will pay attention from now on and may just order a plastic replacement for the future...

Edited to say- I just looked at my Colt pocketlite the guide looks great an the flat that nests against the barrel lug looks thicker than on the Glock and incorporates a thin metal washer for the recoil spring to set against to prevent it from cutting into the plastic. But it is a Colt...
Maybe a stronger spring may be cutting the pin head causing a failure....

brchambersjr · #66 01-15-2016, 09:22 AM

Agreed that this is an old thread but there are still unanswered questions. You are correct with the guide rod resting against the "wings" and then in turn the slide lock plate. in addition, that plate rests against an even more robust part of the frame and also the locking block.

IMG_2710 -.jpg

In reality, that area should only see the compression of the recoil spring. There should not be a significant amount of impact since that is absorbed by the impact surface in front of the rails. That whole area is steel reinforced and designed to withstand that impact.

IMG_2711 -.jpg

If the area where the guide rod rests is in fact seeing increased impact it could eventually damage those "wings" but that would point to other issues. If you use an after market spring that has, let's say, two more coils than the factory spring then you could end up with spring stacking and all of the slide impact will surly be against the "wings" and not the frame impact surface.

I hope this makes sense.

Bill

ou1954 · #67 01-15-2016, 02:32 PM

Thanks, that all makes sense. I don't shoot more than enough to just stay comfortable handling that gun so there isn't a lifetime issue for me.

The stainless rod assemblies look nice but don't impress my wife. Also, some of them seem to use piano wire springs. Seems to me that the original flat wire springs make more sense.

earthtone31 · #68 01-16-2016, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruthless robbie

I have a question about guide rods. I know on Glocks that they have plastic guide rods and they will go tens of thousands of rounds without fail. However, my concern is the design on the plastic guide rod on my SD9VE. I've attached pics and you can see where the guide rod meets the part of the barrel where it's held in place, it's bent. I'm going to assume that bending plastic isn't going to be a very reliable thing. I would like to note that I have had several glock 17's and the plastic guide rods in them fit flush so they aren't being bent just sitting still. If my SD9VE plastic guide rod also fit flush like the glock I would just leave it stock and not mess with it but knowing that it doesn't fit flush and that I have a bent piece of plastic in my gun doesn't make me feel like it's safe and reliable.

I don't want a gun that's not going to be reliable. I'm also going to assume the stainless replacement rods will take away this "bending" issue and it will be stronger and less chance to break or fail.

Attachment 172079

A quick search on Amazon and found a Galloway Precision stainless steel guide rod replacement for $35 shipped and with 77 reviews with a review rating of 4.9 our of 5 stars I'm not seeing where I could go wrong. Any input on this? Also, should I go for stock 17lb spring or 20lb spring?

Buy the Galloway Stainless Steel Guide Rod system, you can not go wrong and get the 17lb for the SD9VE unless you know you are going to be shooting hotter loads out of your gun regularly, if your using the usual factory ammo stick with the 17lb factory weighted springs. I have had mine in my SD9VE for well over a thousand rounds with no wear at all on the slide and the spring is still in like new condition and the set screw feels just like it did from when I got the assembly. They use loctite on the set screws after screwing them in at Galloway and they should be in very good and not come loose. If they have come out on other companies guide rods that have set screws or even from Galloways, the only thing I can think of is that they forgot to loctite it. Mine has been fine for over a thousand rounds and will never break,deform or wear from heat or usage, that rod will last forever. The spring itself will be the only thing that loosens up over time with alot of rounds put through the gun, but that can be said for any spring. Galloway is a great company with very well made products.

GRU_ 7_ mech · #69 01-16-2016, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GKC

You're welcome!

It works fine...I bought mine several years ago, and the button sticks out of the slide just a bit. That doesn't bother me at all, and it doesn't affect functionality, but I think I read that they are making them more flush now.

I use 115 gr ammo usually, and I don't use +p, so the 17lb spring works fine.

I usually shoot 124 gr hollow pts...17# still the one? Also I see Glock 19 (GEN 1-2-3) springs much cheaper than S&W

Amazon.com : Guide Rod Assembly for Glock Gen 1-3 G19, G23, G32, and G38 Pistols : Gunsmithing Tools And Accessories : Sports & Outdoors

do they work and why 12-15 dollars cheaper I wonder.

TS7424 · #70 01-19-2016, 04:08 PM

I went with the Galloway 17lb because I been using the 115 grain rounds.
replaced the plastic guide rod because I didn't like the way the back end of the rod was being chewed up and bending.
I have run about 300 rounds with the Galloway with no problems

ginelmore · #71 02-03-2016, 02:29 PM

HI I just replaced my guide rod with a Galloway stainless steel guide rod and a 17lb spring do you put a any oil on a stainless guide rod ? Thanks Glen

mrburns05 · #72 02-04-2016, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ginelmore

HI I just replaced my guide rod with a Galloway stainless steel guide rod and a 17lb spring do you put a any oil on a stainless guide rod ? Thanks Glen

I put oil on mine, just a little.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TS7424

I went with the Galloway 17lb because I been using the 115 grain rounds.

replaced the plastic guide rod because I didn't like the way the back end of the rod was being chewed up and bending.

I have run about 300 rounds with the Galloway with no problems

I'm also using 115 grain, seems to work fine with the 20lb, which I was kinda worried about at first.

S&W Rover · #73 02-05-2016, 09:32 PM

I put a stock plastic Glock 19 recoil spring from Brownell's ($7.95) in mine, and it seems to work fine.

HyperTrigger · #74 11-20-2016, 12:15 AM

Does anyone know the exact lbs. the Stock SD9VE Recoil Spring is?

I hear 17lbs then I hear 18lbs. Which is it?