There has been a lot of comments about the poly vs metal guide rod. Can the metal improve accuracy? I bought an SD9ve a couple of years ago and was thinking I had bought an expensive fishing weight. It was the most inconsistent firing weapon I have ever had. I could not guarantee I could keep my shots in a 10" circle at 7yds. Background; I was a firearms instructor for 22 years. For the last 22-23 years the only time I qualified under 90 was when I fired the course left handed both with my M-13 and the Beretta 92G. ( fired both ways just in case). A couple of months ago I replaced the guide rod with a Galloway. Now the only time my shots are out of an 8" circle is when I pull one. Can the metal rod really make a difference or am I just getting used to the weapon? As my wife always tells me I don't have a clue.

The guide rod may be contribute to the reliable positioning of the barrel in relation to the slide, and of course the sights are in fixed alignment with the slide.

It seems possible a solid, stable guide rod and spring combination helps return the barrel to the same position each time the gun is fired, e.g., makes the gun's performance more repeatable and thus more accurate (assuming the Point of Aim of the sights is correct).

Just a theory... but many autos have a "first round flyer" phenomena where the first round in a mag goes one place, and the rest after that group around another location -- because the barrel is not in the same position in relation to the slide when a round is chambered by hand as when it is chambered by the more violent action of firing. And the recoil spring and guide rod... would seem to perhaps have a role in that, too.

Again, just a theory. (Studied history, not mechanical engineering).

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S&W Rover

I also own an SD9VE. The guiderod was replaced in the spring because the polymer one was getting pretty beat up. I can't recall if it was a Galloway rod, but it was at least something along those lines. I didn't notice any increase, or decrease for that matter, in accuracy or reliability. I have always found my SD9VE to be very reliable and only as accurate as I could be that day. The most significant improvement, in my opinion, has been a set of TruGlo fiber optics.

I am not a professional, just an enthusiast.

Yes, I firmly believe the steel guide rod improves accuracy and just the whole overall reliability of the gun period. Steel will not bend or warp like polymer guide rods. So yes you are getting better accuracy due on part to your steel guide rod.

I am going to have to completely disagree.

The guide rod has absolutely nothing to do with the accuracy (or anything) of the shot you are taking at that moment when pulling the trigger.

The bullet has already left the barrel by the time the guide rod begins its function.

As to if the guide rod material affects the reacquisition of the target after the shot, logic says that the weight differential of the metal would make the recoil movement less than the plastic.

But, I find it extremely hard to believe that that difference in recoil movement due to such a relatively slight difference in weight of the guide rod is anything but very negligible or even noticed and is only just perceived as an improvement in the recoil movement.

I know I have never noticed a difference. And I was attentively looking for it.

Doc

Oh yes, absolutely, just like one of our shooter's gun gets higher scores when he wears his lucky hat. Shooter's perception and confidence are very important to performance.

As to changing the mechanical accuracy of the pistol, it would take a significant sample of shots from a Ransom rest in each configuration to justify such an assertion.

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Science plus Art

The guide rod may be contribute to the reliable positioning of the barrel in relation to the slide, and of course the sights are in fixed alignment with the slide.

It seems possible a solid, stable guide rod and spring combination helps return the barrel to the same position each time the gun is fired, e.g., makes the gun's performance more repeatable and thus more accurate (assuming the Point of Aim of the sights is correct). S&W Rovers quote is right on the money I believe,

True, "the bullet has already left the barrel by the time the guide rod begins its function." But the recoil spring returns the slide and helps reposition the barrel to the "start" position after firing event. I am theorizing this could be a tad different each time if the recoil spring and guide rod do not behave in the same way each time because of flex or other variables, along with the other components that position the barrel in the slide. And since the sights are on the slide, this could involve a slightly different Point of Impact of the bullet each time you fire. So while the guide rod and spring don't affect the accuracy of one bullet, they may affect the comparison of one bullet to the next one. That's my theory, anyway!

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S&W Rover

Not an assertion -- just a theory!

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S&W Rover

And here I always thought the rails kept the slide aligned but now I found out it is the guide rod. Learn something new every day.

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GreyOwl

Factory guide rod is thr best not after market gimmicks

The recoil spring does indeed help reset the barrel to position.

However, as long as there is spring tension, there is no variation of how the barrel can sit.

The cut of the top of the barrel is what keeps it in proper place in the slide with spring tension. And as long as there is tension and the barrel and slide not damaged, there is no variation in where the barrel is pointing to affect accuracy.

You could break off a pencil and as long as it is wider than the hole in the front of the slide, use that as a guide rod with the eraser contacting the barrel lug, and as long as the spring remains seated on the barrel, the pistol will be just as accurate, JUST as accurate.

If the recoil spring does NOT seat against the barrel, then there is no next shot to be accurate.

To say that the guide rod ensures a stable recoil spring to stay positioned against the barrel repeatedly so that there is a next shot however does provide a good argument of reliability/dependability for metal than plastic.

To say that that helps with "accuracy" is quibbling semantics.. obviously a follow up shot cannot be "accurate" if there is no follow up shot.

Doc