plastic guide rod replacement

[T-5]

Ok, Thank you GKC and thank you for your service. let me know how the17lb. worked in your 9.

 

[GKC]

Ok, Thank you GKC and thank you for your service.

You're welcome!

let me know how the17lb. worked in your 9.

It works fine...I bought mine several years ago, and the button sticks out of the slide just a bit. That doesn't bother me at all, and it doesn't affect functionality, but I think I read that they are making them more flush now.

I use 115 gr ammo usually, and I don't use +p, so the 17lb spring works fine.

 

[mr tlee sd9]

SD9 VE guide rod.

After reading the posts I decided to stay with factory. But all the after market one's are SS. I called S&W told them I wanted to order a plastic replacement for back up part, asked how much. They said they will send me one for free. What a surprise Great. Thanks S&W.

 

[ou1954]

Rod Bed

When the pistol is assembled the guide rod is not touching the barrel lug as it does when the slide is removed. The base of the rod is seated in it's "bed" in the frame and supported. That "issue" is really a non-issue unless you absolutely have to change it to a steel guide rod. The only thing about a steel guide rod is that it will not flex like the factory guide rod is designed to do while firing.

Bill

This is a very old thread. now active, and I remember posting a comment here some time ago, but maybe someone can clarify the "bed" issue.

I decided to have another look and it does seem that the rear end of the rod does touch something when the slide is put back on, just can't actually see what it is.

However, in looking at the frame with the slide off I see a couple of thin plastic "wings" which are apparently the "rod bed". They look pretty thin but may be backed up by the forward slanted edge of the "takedown bar/barrel stop".

So, someone please confirm for me that I am seeing the bed which prevents the end of the rod from being loaded off center.

One more comment- I still haven't been able to see the plastic rod bend any way I look.

Another One more comment- I only shoot enough to feel comfortable with my SD9VE. Should I really try to have another trigger spring on hand?

 

[sarg1c]

I fully trust plastic guide rods, I don't think I could afford the ammo required to see a failure. Also on at least two of my guns that I upgraded to a metal guide rod I am seeing a good amount of wear in the front of the slide where the guide rod is wobbling out the hole. I'd much rather buy a new plastic guide rod vs new slide.

As to why the M&P line comes with a metal guide rod it's the same reason it comes with metal sights as the gun cost $200-250 more. Take away all the upgrades the M&P has over the sigma/SD then there is no point in buying the M&P

not being a range gun and fired very little I believe I will leave the plastic guide rod as is in my Colt pocketlite. No problem yet. I will pay attention from now on and may just order a plastic replacement for the future...

Edited to say- I just looked at my Colt pocketlite the guide looks great an the flat that nests against the barrel lug looks thicker than on the Glock and incorporates a thin metal washer for the recoil spring to set against to prevent it from cutting into the plastic. But it is a Colt...
Maybe a stronger spring may be cutting the pin head causing a failure....

 

[brchambersjr]

Agreed that this is an old thread but there are still unanswered questions. You are correct with the guide rod resting against the "wings" and then in turn the slide lock plate. in addition, that plate rests against an even more robust part of the frame and also the locking block.



In reality, that area should only see the compression of the recoil spring. There should not be a significant amount of impact since that is absorbed by the impact surface in front of the rails. That whole area is steel reinforced and designed to withstand that impact.



If the area where the guide rod rests is in fact seeing increased impact it could eventually damage those "wings" but that would point to other issues. If you use an after market spring that has, let's say, two more coils than the factory spring then you could end up with spring stacking and all of the slide impact will surly be against the "wings" and not the frame impact surface.

I hope this makes sense.

Bill

 

[ou1954]

Thanks, that all makes sense. I don't shoot more than enough to just stay comfortable handling that gun so there isn't a lifetime issue for me.

The stainless rod assemblies look nice but don't impress my wife. Also, some of them seem to use piano wire springs. Seems to me that the original flat wire springs make more sense.

 

[earthtone31]

I have a question about guide rods. I know on Glocks that they have plastic guide rods and they will go tens of thousands of rounds without fail. However, my concern is the design on the plastic guide rod on my SD9VE. I've attached pics and you can see where the guide rod meets the part of the barrel where it's held in place, it's bent. I'm going to assume that bending plastic isn't going to be a very reliable thing. I would like to note that I have had several glock 17's and the plastic guide rods in them fit flush so they aren't being bent just sitting still. If my SD9VE plastic guide rod also fit flush like the glock I would just leave it stock and not mess with it but knowing that it doesn't fit flush and that I have a bent piece of plastic in my gun doesn't make me feel like it's safe and reliable.

I don't want a gun that's not going to be reliable. I'm also going to assume the stainless replacement rods will take away this "bending" issue and it will be stronger and less chance to break or fail.

View attachment 172079

A quick search on Amazon and found a Galloway Precision stainless steel guide rod replacement for $35 shipped and with 77 reviews with a review rating of 4.9 our of 5 stars I'm not seeing where I could go wrong. Any input on this? Also, should I go for stock 17lb spring or 20lb spring?

Buy the Galloway Stainless Steel Guide Rod system, you can not go wrong and get the 17lb for the SD9VE unless you know you are going to be shooting hotter loads out of your gun regularly, if your using the usual factory ammo stick with the 17lb factory weighted springs. I have had mine in my SD9VE for well over a thousand rounds with no wear at all on the slide and the spring is still in like new condition and the set screw feels just like it did from when I got the assembly. They use loctite on the set screws after screwing them in at Galloway and they should be in very good and not come loose. If they have come out on other companies guide rods that have set screws or even from Galloways, the only thing I can think of is that they forgot to loctite it. Mine has been fine for over a thousand rounds and will never break,deform or wear from heat or usage, that rod will last forever. The spring itself will be the only thing that loosens up over time with alot of rounds put through the gun, but that can be said for any spring. Galloway is a great company with very well made products.

 

[GRU_ 7_ mech]

You're welcome!




It works fine...I bought mine several years ago, and the button sticks out of the slide just a bit. That doesn't bother me at all, and it doesn't affect functionality, but I think I read that they are making them more flush now.

I use 115 gr ammo usually, and I don't use +p, so the 17lb spring works fine.

I usually shoot 124 gr hollow pts...17# still the one? Also I see Glock 19 (GEN 1-2-3) springs much cheaper than S&W [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Steel-Guide-Spring-Retainer/dp/B00EP0P82G/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1452980649&sr=8-6&keywords=guide+rod+glock+19"]Amazon.com : Guide Rod Assembly for Glock Gen 1-3 G19, G23, G32, and G38 Pistols : Gunsmithing Tools And Accessories : Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/417CMdDRqYL.@@AMEPARAM@@417CMdDRqYL[/ame]
do they work and why 12-15 dollars cheaper I wonder.

 

[TS7424]

guide rod replace

I went with the Galloway 17lb because I been using the 115 grain rounds.
replaced the plastic guide rod because I didn't like the way the back end of the rod was being chewed up and bending.
I have run about 300 rounds with the Galloway with no problems

 

[ginelmore]

HI I just replaced my guide rod with a Galloway stainless steel guide rod and a 17lb spring do you put a any oil on a stainless guide rod ? Thanks Glen

 

[mrburns05]

HI I just replaced my guide rod with a Galloway stainless steel guide rod and a 17lb spring do you put a any oil on a stainless guide rod ? Thanks Glen

I put oil on mine, just a little.

I went with the Galloway 17lb because I been using the 115 grain rounds.

replaced the plastic guide rod because I didn't like the way the back end of the rod was being chewed up and bending.

I have run about 300 rounds with the Galloway with no problems

I'm also using 115 grain, seems to work fine with the 20lb, which I was kinda worried about at first.

 

[S&W Rover]

I put a stock plastic Glock 19 recoil spring from Brownell's ($7.95) in mine, and it seems to work fine.

 

[HyperTrigger]

SD9VE

Does anyone know the exact lbs. the Stock SD9VE Recoil Spring is?

I hear 17lbs then I hear 18lbs. Which is it?