CDS Stainless Steel Guide Rod Assembly in SD40VE

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MNT1970

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Has anyone used the Centennial Defense Systems (CDS) SS Guide Rod Assembly (GRA) in their SD40VE? I've read a lot about Galloway GRAs but they seem to not be available anymore. I've only seen the NDZ and CDS SS GRAs advertised. Any difference between the the NDZ or CDS?
Also what spring did you get with it 20#, 22#?

 
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I have seen too many reports of frame damage from after market recoil spring assemblies to SD’s to recommend one of any make. The only change that I have ever made to any SD is to swap out the plastic rear sight for a steel M&P rear. Never had so much as a jam leaving everything else stock.

Best Regards,
ADP3
 
MNT1970 said:
Has anyone used the Centennial Defense Systems (CDS) SS Guide Rod Assembly (GRA) in their SD40VE? I've read a lot about Galloway GRAs but they seem to not be available anymore. I've only seen the NDZ and CDS SS GRAs advertised. Any difference between the the NDZ or CDS?
Also what spring did you get with it 20#, 22#?
Click to expand...
The SS guide rod will ruin your frame.
If S&W thought a SS guide rod would have been better than their factory polymer guide rod, don't you think they would have used one?
 
As others have already stated, the Sigma/SD Series of pistols wasn't designed to use steel guide rods, ergo use of steel guide rods will batter the frame, eventually causing it to break.

Furthermore, steel guide rods void the warranty, so it's best to just stick with the stock polymer guide rod, check on it periodically, and once it's either been worn ragged or you've fired upwards of 5000 rounds through it, (whatever comes first) call S&W and have them send you a free replacement under warranty.

Smith & Wesson should honestly just post a warning on the SD Series product page at this point that use of steel guide rods is destructive to the firearm and voids the warranty.
 
I am really glad to hear from you OEM enthusiasts, but you are not answering my question. I want to hear from people who have installed a SS GRA in their SD40VE. Thanks for the advice though.
 
MNT1970 said:
I am really glad to hear from you OEM enthusiasts, but you are not answering my question. I want to hear from people who have installed a SS GRA in their SD40VE. Thanks for the advice though.
Click to expand...

I have never installed a SS guide rod in my SD guns. But, I do know someone that did. He now owns his 2nd SD9VE after installing a SS guide rod in the 1st one. After about 400-500 rds. the SS guide rod cracked the frame. He tried to get another frame under warranty from S&W but they voided it. He "TRIED" to tell them that their polymer guide rod caused the crack. S&W didn't buy it.
Good luck with your 2nd SDVE gun if you install a SS guide rod in your current SDVE gun.
 
MNT1970 said:
I am really glad to hear from you OEM enthusiasts, but you are not answering my question. I want to hear from people who have installed a SS GRA in their SD40VE. Thanks for the advice though.
Click to expand...

The rod itself will likely be ok.

The aftermarket rods weren't/aren't the problem.

The problem was the "stack length" of the aftermarket springs.
The stack length (length of spring when fully compressed into
a 'solid cylinder' state) was longer than the S&W OEM spring
stack, and prevented recoiling slide from impacting it's
designed 'impact zone' on the frame.

Instead, the slide traveled back until recoil spring stacked,
and stopped it. Slide inertia moved thru spring stack, to
base of guide rod, to guide rod seat on frame--an area that
wasn't designed structurally to function as the 'slide stop'.

So just make sure your aftermarket spring has same, or
shorter, stack length, compared to the S&W original.
 
Steve912 said:
The rod itself will likely be ok.

The aftermarket rods weren't/aren't the problem.

The problem was the "stack length" of the aftermarket springs.
The stack length (length of spring when fully compressed into
a 'solid cylinder' state) was longer than the S&W OEM spring
stack, and prevented recoiling slide from impacting it's
designed 'impact zone' on the frame.

Instead, the slide traveled back until recoil spring stacked,
and stopped it. Slide inertia moved thru spring stack, to
base of guide rod, to guide rod seat on frame--an area that
wasn't designed structurally to function as the 'slide stop'.

So just make sure your aftermarket spring has same, or
shorter, stack length, compared to the S&W original.
Click to expand...
Steve, what you explained here was similar to what was explained to my friend that installed the SSGR in his SD9VE. I didn't know all of the details like you explained it, but it's how it was explained to him.
All I know is, he's on his 2nd SD9VE after his frame was chewed up.
If OP has the money to buy another SD40VE after he tears up his current one, let him.
Like the old saying goes, you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink. I hope the OP don't get too thirsty!
 
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