Recoil Spring Guide Rod Assembly (3rd Gen 4-1/4" bbl.)

[BLUEDOT37]

I ordered a recoil guide rod from Numrich for my 1076, as a spare, along with a few other model unique parts that they had in-stock. They show their PN# equates to S&W# 897960000. The guide rod in my 1076 (original?) is the solid metal one-piece unit. The one they sent is the two-piece aluminum rod with the staked-on flange. (All the parts appeared to be lightly used or virtually not used items.)

I searched the S&W parts catalog & it shows their guide rod PN# as 902970000 for the 1076 & (6) other (non-TSW) models. The PN# 897960000 shows up for (4) TSW models.

- did the one-piece solid metal & two-piece aluminum guide rods have different PN#s?

- do these two PN#s specify these two types of guide rods?

- was there any logical to what models got them or what timeframe they were installed at the factory?

I have some older 3rd Gens that have a one piece & some have the two piece so I'm thinking they might not have had different PN#s.
Does anybody have any firsthand info on this?

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[BLUEDOT37]

Anybody have anything on this?

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[Shorty 45 MK2]

Sorry, can't help, I've been trying to figure out the same thing.

 

[Fastbolt]

Don't have access to the parts lists on my home computer while on the road.

However, while they listed separate parts numbers for the original guide rod assembly and the CHP rod assembly in the 4006, the "public" parts lists didn't really differentiate between the rod assemblies in other models whenever I checked various vintages of lists.

Matter of fact, last time I ordered some 4506 guide rods, using the original part number of the 2-piece staked rod assemblies, I received all 1-piece new style rod assemblies.

Then again, when I ordered some 4566 guide rod assemblies in recent years, I got the old style staked rods ... but at the same time, we were getting 4566TSW's with both staked & 1-piece rod assemblies in them.

I'd suspect they ship whatever the parts runners pull from bins, and it's anybody's guess what may be in the bins as they collect, use for production and ship out as parts replacements.

Whenever I've had a question about the latest parts number, I've called and spoken with either a regular customer service person, or, preferably, the CS person assigned to LE/Gov parts service. Sometimes even he's had to put me on hold and either check different in-house parts lists or make phone calls elsewhere, though.

"Never say never" when it comes to parts numbers and revisions.

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

Thanks Fastbolt.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

No rhyme or reason...

Thanks Fastbolt, I suspected as much (no rhyme or reason) but thought I'd ask.

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[BLUEDOT37]

Midway recently got some of these (S&W# 902970000) in-stock so I ordered one, which came today, & it's the solid metal one-piece style. The finish on this particular one is somewhat rough & dull but that's not an issue. Just glad it's a one-piece solid.

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