Guide Rod Question

[itguy]

I know it is normal for the thin circle on the end of the guide rod that seats against the barrel to freely spin, and that it is not (I don't think) threaded, so I haven't ever worried about it.

However, on a new to me 5906 I recently got, there is about a 1/16" gap between the this circle and the regular part of the guide rod. In between the gap there is a thinner part, which I am guessing is like a pin that originally gets pushed into the guide rod to hold the circle part down. (Sorry for the improper use of the part names)!

Anyway, while everything works, I compared it against all of my other 3rd Generation S&W's, including another 5906, and this is not the case on any other gun. The guide rod in question does protrude outside the slide about that same 1/16", visibly more than any other of my guns.

So, it this cause to replace the guide rod?

Pls. advise, & thanks!

 

[handgunner356]

Are you talking about the guide rod as it sits with the slide off the gun or assembled? The spring loaded plunger actually holds the slide stop in the gun. When the gun is together the guide rod doesn't engage the barrel and will protrude the slide differant than when it's off the gun.

 

[itguy]

I know I'm doing a lousy job describing this!

The part of the guide rod in question is the end that goes up against the barrel. The circle part is not flush with the rod part, as it is on my 3 other 3rd Gen's; there is about a 1/6" gap between that circular part and the rod itself. This makes the rod protrude out of the slide (when fully assembled) that same extra 1/16". I know it always protrudes a certain amount, but with that 1/16" gap, it protrudes about twice as much as normal.

 

[handgunner356]

The standard rod is aluminum, if yours is steel it is possible that someone used a 1000/4500 rod and cut it down. You could also look at your frame with the slide off and see how the rod is sitting in it's recess, there could be something not letting it seat all the way into the frame.

 

[Fastbolt]

If the guide rod is installed in the pistol, is the part of it you're asking about located at the rear?

If so, think of it as the collar. There should be some staked indentations around the rod near the collar which are holding the collar in place inside the rod, which is holding the rod's plunger & spring inside the rod.

We've always been told in armorer classes is that if we can turn the collar inside the rod with finger tip pressure that it's time to replace the guide rod assembly (technically called a spring guide assembly).

The part listed in the S&W parts list is: 106760000 $10.66 X RECOIL SPRING GUIDE ASSY

This does not include the recoil spring, though, and since you don't know how much use the used 5906 has experienced it might be a good idea to order a new recoil spring and magazine springs at the same time.

If the followers have started to exhibit some noticeable gouging where the case mouth of the bottom (last) round rests against the top of the follower then it might not be a bad time to replace the followers, as well.

The folks at S&W's customer service can tell you the right parts for your model and sell them to you.

Being able to turn the collar within the rod means the staking is becoming loose. Separation of the rod, collar, plunger & spring can be next. No way to know whether it will be sooner or later.

I can't really know what's happening with your particular gun, though, since I'm not there to examine it. It's just my thoughts based upon what I think you're trying to describe.

Why not call S&W and tell them? They might even offer to just send you a replacement rod assembly ... or you may just have to buy one along with the new recoil & mag springs.

The normal recommended replacement interval for recoil & mag springs in S&W 59XX series guns used by LE (left loaded all the time) is every 5 years or every 5,000 rounds, BTW.

 

[itguy]

Thanks Fastbolt! In your context, yes, it is the part of the guide rod that is towards the rear of the pistol. The collar does in fact turn with only minimal effort. Both of my 5906's do in fact.

For this gun, what the post was trying to describe is that between the end of the guide rod where the indemtions are, and the collar, there is about a 1/16" gap, which in turn makes the overall length of the guide rod an extra 1/16" long. The gap may or may not be a problem, (other that it looking odd that the guide rod protrudes out the muzzle end about 1/16" more than normal). But after reading what you said regarding the collar spinning, that settels it; I need to order a new one! Two actually.

Thanks Again!