plastic guide rod replacement

[brchambersjr]

When fired the part of the slide that surrounds the guide rod actually hits a part of the frame and takes the pounding. When the slide goes forward it is the force caused by the recoil spring that pushes it into the take down lever.

At one time I was looking at possible spring stacking , where when the spring is compressed all the way and is pretty much solid, and if the spring is too long causing the guide rod to hit the part in front of the take down lever. I could see stacking causing that part of the frame to weaken but after closer inspection of the steel guide rod assembly the spring is just the right size.

Bill

 

[Jackdaddy63]

I have a 17lb rated Galloway Precision guide rod in my first SD9VE, and was planning to purchase a Galloway guide rod for a second SD9VE. After reading this thread, I think I will hold off and keep the polymer guide rod in the second SD9VE.

Thanks for the great information.

 

[Monteman1971]

I have the Galloway 17lb guide rod in my SD9. I love my SD9 and I've never had an issue with it but unlike my Glocks polymer guide rod I felt the SD9's felt a little to weak in my hands. I think it's more a personal thing than anything else but it makes me feel better.... Isn't that what it's all about?... Lol

 

[Killit2012]

I own sd40ve. First thing i did was steel guide rod and apex trigger kit. Maybe just a personal thing but I didn't want to take the chance. The gun operates reliably day to day. I absolutely love that gun and would trust my life to it.

 

[ou1954]

I'm unable to see the plastic guide rod in my SD9VE bend. Also, I can see that the spring sits in a slot when the gun is assembled so there is no bending force on the guide rod in an assembled gun.

How do I go about seeing the plastic rod bend?

 

[JWH321]

FWIW - My Galloway rod now has about a thousand of my reloads through its gun. It continues to function perfectly, as does the gun. I have no doubt that the OEM guide would have also been fine. I just like the stainless one better.

I think that what we have all learned is that the SD series is a rugged and reliable platform that continues to function in spite of what we do to it. I think the S&W guys should get a pat on the back for having created the Ford F-150 of no-nonsense handguns. It just does its job.

 

[AnthemBassMan]

I think that what we have all learned is that the SD series is a rugged and reliable platform that continues to function in spite of what we do to it. I think the S&W guys should get a pat on the back for having created the Ford F-150 of no-nonsense handguns. It just does its job.

Now that is an EXCELLENT analogy!

L8R,
Matt

 

[Phyxt1983]

I have been debating a few different upgrades on my SD40VE. I have owned it for about a year, and did a good 3 months of nightly research on it prior to purchasing it. I havent had any issues, but i think that a SS rod is probably gonna make me feel better. Maybe i am just channeling my inner old fart, but i think metal will probably out-do plastics....

 

[ou1954]

The full size Beretta, both military and civilian, are equipped with plastic guide rods from the factory. I haven't heard of any issues even though a metal rod is available as a replacement part for those who want one. This is one of the most tested guns on the market.

I think that's the gun that the U.S. government has purchased 600,000 units and has recently ordered 100,000 more. If that's correct someone on this forum must have some information on whether any used by the government have had to have the plastic guide rods replaced.

I do admit that for me a metal rod is attractive but mostly just for looks. I have no way to see whether the plastic rod bends but it seems to be properly supported on both ends.

 

[micocyco]

MY question here was not if the polymer rod will last or if the steel is better, but what changing the spring to lighter or stronger would do. I could not get a clear enough reason to justify buying the $30 rod & spring.
I was just looking around you tube & saw this one where the guy says he put a glock rod & spring in a SD9ve.
Is this true ? Does anyone know ? If it is so would they not be cheeper what with the glock after market being so big ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZggq88yK90

 

[J DOG]

I'm also curious about the spring tension on the guide rod. i would get a steel guide rod but really just for looks. my question is would going with a 20lb assembly over the 17lb stock one be a worth while investment. i have the sd40ve and i use 180 grain ammo usually.i saw a guy on YouTube say he replaced his and the recoil was less. i have no issues with function at all with the gun being stock even though (apex spring and trigger kit on its way to my house now).but a little less recoil wouldn't hurt even though it doesn't particularly bother me now.

 

[GRU_ 7_ mech]

All this guide rod talk has never been an issue with any pistol I have ever owned except for the must have a gun for the serial number to apply for a NY license when I lived there. I got a cheap, used SCCY CPX1, gen 1 and must have replaced 5 guide rod assys. Two because they broke and 3 because SCCY kept coming out with a new and improved rod and spring.....which was never an improvement, even on the newest gen2 models. So.....I shoot 115 and 124 gr factory loads in my SD9VE I do not need to go to a different #spring unless I go to +p, NATO or 147 gr loads for everyday use?....Right?

 

[earthtone31]

Agreed, the Glock for example is a higher quality and higher priced gun that also comes factory with a polymer guide rod. However, the most popular first "upgrade" glock owners do to their gun is replace the polymer guide rod as it's common knowledge in the glock world that the polymer guide rods do break as mentioned by glock themselves in the videos above.

And I'm not concerned about the "recoil spring" I'm concerned about a bending plastic guide rod and we all know plastic that bends also weakens and eventually breaks.

I bought my SD9VE for $319 at Academy Sports last week, put a $35 stainless guide rod and now feel that I have a very reliable $355 gun. And would suggest to all owners that have plastic guide rods that a stainless replacement should be done for reliability. There's been many many guide rods break on glocks and like I mentioned earlier, if the gun fails at the range then that's fine but what if it fails when it's needed in a self defense situation? As a matter of fact, the SD part in our gun stands for "Self Defense". You would think that with how anal gun owners are with owning a gun in general that we should all agree on reliability and that should be the main focus point. We're talking about a tool used for self defense, not a wrench for a car.

Just a suggestion.

I agree with you 100%! I replaced the plastic/polymer guide rod on my SD9VE as soon as I got the gun and I have had no issues at all with the gun. It feels much more reliable to me, steel beats plastic everytime, to me its common sense.

 

[tfields]

brownell's has the polyemer replacement guide rods spring assembly go buy 3 for the price of 1 ss rod problem solved!

 

[T-5]

I just ordered a ss guide rod for my sd9ve. I noticed while cleaning my weapon that the flat end that sits against the barrel was starting to wear. (Not Good).

 

[T-5]

Black Oxide Steel replacement guide rod assembly

Correction I ordered a 17lb. Black Oxide Steel replacement guide rod assembly does anyone know anything about this?

 

[GKC]

I just ordered a ss guide rod for my sd9ve. I noticed while cleaning my weapon that the flat end that sits against the barrel was starting to wear. (Not Good).

Are you referring to your OEM polymer rod that is showing wear?

Correction I ordered a 17lb. Black Oxide Steel replacement guide rod assembly does anyone know anything about this?

Did you order it from Galloway Precision? I have had them in both colors, and they perform equally...I just prefer the bright stainless.

 

[T-5]

Yeah the OEM guide rod

 

[T-5]

yeah I bought it from Galloway.
what did you get 17, 20 or 22lbs.?

 

[GKC]

yeah I bought it from Galloway.
what did you get 17, 20 or 22lbs.?

I bought the 17lb for my 9, and the 20lb for my 40.