645 recoil spring guide rod

[farmerjonwest]

I just picked up a 645.Love the gun! Took apart to clean.The recoil spring guide rod sounds like there is liquid in it when you shake it?When I push the spring loaded tit on end nothing comes out???

[824tsv]

Welcome to the Forum,
There shouldn't be anything in it.

[farmerjonwest]

Is that rod hollowed out?

[824tsv]

Originally Posted by farmerjonwest

Is that rod hollowed out?

It's a very light weight piece of aluminum. I'm assuming it's probably solid up till where the round end with the button sits in it, but I'm not sure.

[jmace57]

I just disassembled mine to check. It feels like a solid aluminum rod until the spring loaded tip is as 824tsv mentioned. I feel nothing like a liquid in mine. It would be very strange if I did.

[stansdds]

There should be no liquid inside the guide rod. I have not disassembled one as I do not want to destroy one, but I think the rod is solid with the exception of the end that holds the spring and plunger. The spring and plunger retainer is held in the rod by a series of stakes pressed into the guide rod. It is possible that the staking in your guide rod is failing or was poorly performed at the factory and the retainer is now free to move. Eventually, the staking may fail entirely, rendering the guide rod useless.

[farmerjonwest]

I do have something bouncing around in the rod. Could that be a broken spring? the tit on the end is still spring loaded? why would they make an aluminum spring rod in all stainless gun

[BLUEDOT37]

Possibly something got inside the tube before the end was staked on?

If the plugger operates freely & the flanged end/plunger assembly is still securely attached I don't think I'd worry about it.

Why? Weight, cost, lack of historical problems until it was. Some value models have plastic guide rods, as well as other new pistols.

They later made solid stainless steel rods with the flange incorporated into the rod. The plunger & spring are separate items. This three piece FLGR is the better choice, if you have a choice.

There used to be a forum member here that made solid replacement FLGR assemblies. Don't know if he's still doing it. He was always low-key about it but made an excellent replacement part that's become hard to find.

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top - factory 3-piece FLGR assembly
bottom - after-market replacement
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[jimintheburg]

I believe the member that BLUEDOT37 was talking about is Paul Howell [email protected]. Don't know if he is still doing it. He was making g/r for 3rd gen S&W but I think there is may be no difference between 2nd and 3 rd gen g/r.

[peh_7]

As mentioned I do still make up the one piece guide rods for most 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Generation S&W autos, including the 645. I'm not a business so I don't usually keep any items in stock. I make the rods up on request as a hobby and to help out other S&W enthusiasts (It usually takes about a week, or so). All parts are stainless steel including the spring. My rods are slightly different from OEM rods due to the stainless steel springs I could obtain being longer. The charge is still $60 per rod including postage. If more than one is ordered at the same time, I do the additional rods for $50 each. This covers materials and my time, and helps keep me shooting. If interested payment can be made to my PayPal account at my email address. A personal email is required with a mailing address so I can send out the rod when it's completed. Thanks.

My email is: [email protected]

[toddimusnimski]

Could it be a Harrts guide rod or something similar? They were filled with mercury and ballbearings. I have no experience with them but remember the ads in gun magazines in the 90's.

[stansdds]

Originally Posted by toddimusnimski

Could it be a Harrts guide rod or something similar? They were filled with mercury and ballbearings. I have no experience with them but remember the ads in gun magazines in the 90's.

I had forgotten about those things. If it is, it's a rare find, kind of like the Ed Brown stainless 645/4506 guide rod I snagged on eBay not long ago.

[captain92]

Originally Posted by peh_7

As mentioned I do still make up the one piece guide rods for most 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Generation S&W autos, including the 645. I'm not a business so I don't usually keep any items in stock. I make the rods up on request as a hobby and to help out other S&W enthusiasts (It usually takes about a week, or so). All parts are stainless steel including the spring. My rods are slightly different from OEM rods due to the stainless steel springs I could obtain being longer. The charge is still $60 per rod including postage. If more than one is ordered at the same time, I do the additional rods for $50 each. This covers materials and my time, and helps keep me shooting. If interested payment can be made to my PayPal account at my email address. A personal email is required with a mailing address so I can send out the rod when it's completed. Thanks.

My email is: [email protected]

It's good to hear your still out there making rods! If anyone here on the forum needs one made, I can vouch for the quality of Paul's work having picked up several rods from him; 1006, 4506, 4566. First class all the way!

[nocents]

I also have several of Pauls guide rods and can vouch for their quality also

[farmerjonwest]

Thanks for all the info! I think I have a one of those mercury filled rods! NO markings on it but interesting thanks again!

[BLUEDOT37]

Originally Posted by peh_7

As mentioned I do still make up the one piece guide rods for most 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Generation S&W autos, including the 645.

Good to hear.

I didn't want to mention your name & "volunteer" you for it if you weren't still doing it.

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