A question for SD owners: Galloway Guide Rods

[GKC]

Comments made in another thread about possible problems resulting from using aftermarket recoil spring guide rod assemblies in SD series pistols made me wonder...how many have ACTUALLY had a problem that they could directly attribute to using an aftermarket guide rod assembly? I guess the best way you could actually pinpoint guide rod assembly problems are if malfunctions occur with the aftermarket assembly in the gun, and they don't occur with the stock assembly in the gun.

I replaced the stock guide rod assembly with the stainless steel 17lb assembly from Galloway Precision. (I kept my stock assembly, of course.) From what I have read on other threads, the stock weight is 18lbs. (?)

Anyone having any problems with Galloway guide rod assemblies?

 

[JoeCap]

Galloway replacement Slide Rod & Spring

I just purchased a few days ago the new S&W SD40VE.. I ordered the Galloway replace SS steel Rod w/20# spring. When I installed it the spring sticks out past the barrel about 1/8 to 1/4 in.. looks stupid.. Has anybody had issues like this ?

 

[modraker]

I just purchased a few days ago the new S&W SD40VE.. I ordered the Galloway replace SS steel Rod w/20# spring. When I installed it the spring sticks out past the barrel about 1/8 to 1/4 in.. looks stupid.. Has anybody had issues like this ?

Do you mean the button head screw sticks out? Only the button head screw stuck out in my Galloway assembly. If part of the rod sticks out, it could be for a different pistol.

 

[JoeCap]

Galloway Steel Rod

Yes, the Button head sticks out.

 

[GKC]

The button head sticks out a little on mine too...I don't think it looks bad.

 

[modraker]

If you compare the stiffness of the original recoil spring with the 17lb Galloway by putting each one in the SD40VE, you will find that the slide is more difficult to rack with the original spring in it.

When I initially got the gun, I fired off 150 rounds without any problems. After I replaced the the recoil assembly with the Galloway, I had 4 misfires out of 150. I found some metal debris from the machining process in my striker channel and attributed the misfires to that.

The next time I went to the range, 1 out of 150 misfired when the gun failed to go completely into battery. I fear the 17lb Galloway spring is either not producing the spec force or it was meant more for the SD9VE.

 

[3hounds]

Galloway recommends the 20 or 22# spring for the .40, I" m guessing as upper limit's.

Going to email them to get some better explanations.

3

 

[modraker]

Galloway recommends the 20 or 22# spring for the .40.

3

It can be confusing because this what their website says: "Custom made for the SD-VE and Sigma VE pistols these guiderods are made of Stainless and come pre-assembled to your selection. Factory spring rates are 17lb for both the 9mm and 40 models. We offer several rates as well as options on the retainer finish, black or polished stainless. We recommend the 20 or 22 for 40s/w pistols and 20 for the 9mm as upper limits. The 15 for light handloads only."

They say factory spring rates are 17lb and I wanted to stay with factory specs. They also say 20 or 22 for the 40 are recommended as upper limits.

 

[J Rich]

Galloway recommends the 20 or 22# spring for the .40.

3

Why do you think that is when the factory 18# works perfect?

 

[Rpg]

Guide rods are unnecessary embellishments.

I wouldn't buy a 1911 with one, and if given a 1911 with one would get rid of it.

They look neet but serve no function other than to prevent a proper press-check and add weight. ) ,

A gizmo that solves a non existent problem and ( like most gizmos) , at a cost.

Avoid them.

 

[GKC]

Guide rods are unnecessary embellishments.

I wouldn't buy a 1911 with one, and if given a 1911 with one would get rid of it.

They look neet but serve no function other than to prevent a proper press-check and add weight. ) ,

A gizmo that solves a non existent problem and ( like most gizmos) , at a cost.

Avoid them.

I think you must mean a Full Length Guide Rod in a 1911, as opposed to a GI guide rod and plug, again in a 1911. I agree with you...and prefer the GI guide rod and plug versus the FLGR myself, in my full size 1911s.

The issue we are discussing here is the recoil spring guide assembly for a SD9VE (or a SD40VE), which consists of the guide rod and recoil spring in a captive unit. The stock unit has a polymer guide rod...the Galloway unit has a stainless steel guide rod. A recoil spring and guide rod assembly is necessary for this pistol to function...whether it is the stock assembly or an aftermarket assembly.

 

[3hounds]

It can be confusing because this what their website says: "Custom made for the SD-VE and Sigma VE pistols these guiderods are made of Stainless and come pre-assembled to your selection. Factory spring rates are 17lb for both the 9mm and 40 models. We offer several rates as well as options on the retainer finish, black or polished stainless. We recommend the 20 or 22 for 40s/w pistols and 20 for the 9mm as upper limits. The 15 for light handloads only."

They say factory spring rates are 17lb and I wanted to stay with factory specs. They also say 20 or 22 for the 40 are recommended as upper limits.

Yes it can be confusing, I'm going to edit my post above.

AS you said 20 or 22 for the 40S/W pistols and 20 for 9mm.

It also say's as upper limits, I guess that means the 40 and 9mm ?

They also have the factory spring rated as a 17# spring.

I'm going to email them and see what I can find out.

3

 

[3hounds]

Why do you think that is when the factory 18# works perfect?

I'm guessing that's for heavier and hotter ammo.

I emailed them some questions, I'll let ya know when I hear from them.

3

 

[modraker]

My S&W-Galloway Hybrid

Suspecting that the 17-lb Galloway spring is too weak for my SD40VE but unwilling to relinquish my desire to have a stainless steel guide rod, I have assembled a hybrid. I took the original recoil spring from my SD40VE and installed it in my Galloway guide rod. It looks good and feels good. So off to the range I go in a couple of days to test my little Frankenstein.

 

[GKC]

Suspecting that the 17-lb Galloway spring is too weak for my SD40VE but unwilling to relinquish my desire to have a stainless steel guide rod, I have assembled a hybrid. I took the original recoil spring from my SD40VE and installed it in my Galloway guide rod. It looks good and feels good. So off to the range I go in a couple of days to test my little Frankenstein.

Was it difficult to do? Please let us know how it works out!

 

[modraker]

Was it difficult to do? Please let us know how it works out!

Yes, I will report on how it goes at the range.

Here's what I did. I pulled back the spring using the jaws of a vise grip and clamped down on the plastic guide rod. Unable to remove the cap by rotating or pulling, I put the hacksaw to it. Obviously, there's no turning back at this point. Then, I released the vise grip and removed the spring. A word of caution, when releasing the vise grip, make sure the flange end of the guide rod is pointing at something that doesn't easily break.

Using the same method to pull back the spring and clamp down on the stainless steel rod, I removed the button head screw with an allen wrench. I exchanged the springs which happily have the same inside diameters.

Now comes the hardest part. I manually had to pull back this stiffer spring to clamp the vise grip on to the stainless steel guide rod. After that, it was downhill. I put some blue loctite into the screw hole and reinstalled the button head.

 

[truckinjames]

I purchased the Galloway stainless guide rod, 17#, and the Galloway trigger kit. I also put Meprolite sights on my SW40VE. I must say that I am very happy with the results. I will not be changing anything on my SW40VE.
The trigger pull is right about 6 lb, and smooth. I have been firing Federal 180gr and everything has worked great. Overall, I am very happy with the results.

 

[modraker]

I purchased the Galloway stainless guide rod, 17#, and the Galloway trigger kit. I also put Meprolite sights on my SW40VE. I must say that I am very happy with the results. I will not be changing anything on my SW40VE.
The trigger pull is right about 6 lb, and smooth. I have been firing Federal 180gr and everything has worked great. Overall, I am very happy with the results.

Congratulations on finding a combination that works well for you. Do you find that shooting the 180gr on a 17lb spring produces a substantial recoil? Is it easy enough to quickly realign the sights for the next shot?

 

[JoeCap]

Galloway Guide Rods & Spring

Let me tell you, I been having the best customer service from Debbie at Galloway. I been working with them on the Rod size for the lastest S&W SD40VE .
AS commented above, the one they sent was too long and the button end stuck out of the slide.
The stock factory was 2in & 940/1000th.... the one they sent was 2in & 975/1000th.
They made one and sent it out same day. There is a difference with the older SD's .

 

[modraker]

Let me tell you, I been having the best customer service from Debbie at Galloway. I been working with them on the Rod size for the lastest S&W SD40VE .
AS commented above, the one they sent was too long and the button end stuck out of the slide.
The stock factory was 2in & 940/1000th.... the one they sent was 2in & 975/1000th.
They made one and sent it out same day. There is a difference with the older SD's .

My Galloway recoil assembly measures 2.987" end to end and here's what the button head looks like:



If the button head were to be positioned partly inside the slide hole, I wouldn't want the leading edge of the slide hole to possibly catch the bottom of the button head as the slide goes back into battery. So, I would prefer to keep the button head completely out of the slide's front surface. But that's just me.

 

[GKC]

Here's what I did. I pulled back the spring using the jaws of a vise grip and clamped down on the plastic guide rod. Unable to remove the cap by rotating or pulling, I put the hacksaw to it. Obviously, there's no turning back at this point. Then, I released the vise grip and removed the spring. A word of caution, when releasing the vise grip, make sure the flange end of the guide rod is pointing at something that doesn't easily break.

Using the same method to pull back the spring and clamp down on the stainless steel rod, I removed the button head screw with an allen wrench. I exchanged the springs which happily have the same inside diameters.

Now comes the hardest part. I manually had to pull back this stiffer spring to clamp the vise grip on to the stainless steel guide rod. After that, it was downhill. I put some blue loctite into the screw hole and reinstalled the button head.

Thanks for that explanation...if I decide to try it, I will first order a stock recoil spring assembly from S&W. I guess you can buy them...I couldn't see how to order them on the S&W website.

I may see if I can send my Galloway guide back to them, and have them remake it with an 18lb spring. Mine does extend from the end of the slide, so I don't know if they can do anything about that too...or if it would take a new rod.

 

[truckinjames]

Modraker, I was taught to shoot using the Weaver stance, point shoot with the front sight at center mass when I went to the police academy back in the late 80's. So for me, sight realignment is not a problem. The recoil to me isn't that bad.

 

[modraker]

Thanks for that explanation...if I decide to try it, I will first order a stock recoil spring assembly from S&W. I guess you can buy them...I couldn't see how to order them on the S&W website.

I may see if I can send my Galloway guide back to them, and have them remake it with an 18lb spring. Mine does extend from the end of the slide, so I don't know if they can do anything about that too...or if it would take a new rod.

The Smith & Wesson SD-VE parts list is, so far, an internet no show. Even Brownells doesn't appear to carry parts for it yet.

If your gun is a SD9VE, I don't think the 17# spring (if it truly produces 17 lbs of force) is going to create problems for you. Besides, Galloway offers only 15#, 17#, 20# and 22# springs.

 

[formula11]

I tried to order a spare trigger return spring for a SD9VE and the S&W rep told me that they don't have a parts list yet for them and you cant order any spare parts.The gun has to be shipped back to them for any parts to be repaired .This was a month ago when I called.

 

[JoeCap]

Eric owner of Galloway..

FYI.. Eric just called me to talk about the Guide Rods being a tat to long on the new S&W SD-VE's..
He recognized the issue and will be making new Rods 30/1000 shorter. He asked that anyone with one sticking out to far , to get with him for a free replacement & free mailer to send the other back..
Peace

 

[GKC]

FYI.. Eric just called me to talk about the Guide Rods being a tat to long on the new S&W SD-VE's..
He recognized the issue and will be making new Rods 30/1000 shorter. He asked that anyone with one sticking out to far , to get with him for a free replacement & free mailer to send the other back..
Peace

I sent him an e-mail...their website says they aren't taking calls.

Is the issue of the rod being too long and sticking out of the slide merely cosmetic, or is it a possible functional problem?

 

[JoeCap]

No. It won't cause Functional Damage. I have already fired my .40 with the Rod & Handgun worked & responded just fine.. The only reason he is making the new shorter rod , is just to make it right. The factory didn't stick out , so why should Galloway's.. Again, GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE FROM GALLOWAY... Eric & his wife Debbie....

 

[GKC]

The factory didn't stick out , so why should Galloway's.

The factory recoil assembly does stick out on mine...perhaps not quite as much as the Galloway rod does, but it's not flush. I'll try to take some pictures later.

If it's not a functional problem, I may just keep what I have. The stock assembly sure does feel "flimsy" by comparison.

 

[modraker]

FYI.. Eric just called me to talk about the Guide Rods being a tat to long on the new S&W SD-VE's..
He recognized the issue and will be making new Rods 30/1000 shorter. He asked that anyone with one sticking out to far , to get with him for a free replacement & free mailer to send the other back..
Peace

Thank you for this info, JoeCap. I put a feeler gauge between the slide face and the bottom of the screw head and it measures a mere .010" (10/1000 inch). That's fine for my particular SD40VE.

 

[modraker]

Clark County Shooting Park Range Report

Was it difficult to do? Please let us know how it works out!

SD40VE modified as follows:

- Galloway Precision stainless steel guide rod with original S&W recoil spring
- Apex Tactical spring kit to produce 6 lb trigger
- M&P 3-dot night sights

150 rounds of Speer Lawman 40SW 165gr FMJ --- Zero Malfunction

I love this gun!