I couldn't find anything to do with this subject here or even the 'Net at large. The best I could piece together is (maybe) the polymer endcap is just screwed on the rod, but threadlocked with product. I inherited a tungsten guide rod by itself and would like to put the stock spring on it and try it out, a heavier front appeals to me. Anyone with solid knowledge on these polymer rod's construction or have disassembled it through trial and error?

I have a .40sdve and once you take the slide off, you just remove the recoil rod and spring and then the spring just slides off the rod.You can go to you tube, look up field strip s&w sd40ve and follow along.

My SD40VE has a captured recoil spring. It doesn't just slide off the rod. I've never disassembled the recoil spring assembly, so I'm not sure how the rod comes apart.

L8R,
Matt

__________________
SD40-VE owner and proud of it!

I think that a pair of shears is your best bet. Capture the spring, snip off the end of the guide rod and then throw the rod away. You may want to buy a backup before you commit to the change.

Best Regards,
ADP3

If you have a "steel" one it might be made by Wolfe spring? I have one of those and it is for non-captive springs (like most 1911's). Since you did not post a picture I don't know, so I mention it here. Otherwise, I would keep the one in it and go to the brand it is web page and buy a new spring that fits it. Springs are usually "cheap" approx. $8.

Thanks for the replies, my SD9VE also is a captured spring/rod assembly like AnthemBassMan's and only have anecdotal posts about the Glock poly rod/springs and stories of them being taken apart. I found Wolff Gunsprings and ended up just getting a new spring mailed for 11 bucks instead of risking screwing up a fine stock assembly. When I get adventurous and have more springs to throw around, then I may test the threadlocked endcap theory.

BTW When did you get your SD40VE Jimi, I don't think I've seen a non-captured stock spring/rod for the SDVE models at all? Or is it not polymer stock? Just wondering.

Is the spring a flat wound spring or is it a coiled wire spring? I believe all of the factory springs were flat wound springs on polymer rods. The Wolff stainless steel guide rod and spring combo included a non-captured round wire spring much like you describe.

Here's a comparison picture:

The factory Spring/polymer guide rod is on the right.

Attached Images

guide rod.jpg (96.1 KB, 59 views)