Have You Changed Out Your Glock Guide Rod?

[Abraham]

I thought people did this for cosmetic reasons only.

Now, according to some Youtube videos, there's a whole host of reasons to so, from better accuracy to easier slide working.

Another video said metal guide rods can ruin a Glock.

Anyone here have experience with changing out the original plastic guide rod to Stainless or Tungsten?

If so, and if you found an improvement over the original, please clue me in on the details.

Plus, is one brand better than another?

Thanks!

[rmoraes]

B"H
I changed my G19 rod for a ss and shot over 500rds and no problemo. Considering a Sprinco recoil system for my G23.

[Charlies.Contingency]

My glock 22 .40cal? Let me ask... Nope, 22 years and still the same one, it was complaining about it's room-mates though, my springfield .45 is apparently picking on everybody in the safe.

Never had a problem, nor have I heard of any. Some armorers I know suggest replacing the springs every few years, but I've never heard anything about the guide rod itself.

[C-dub]

Nope. No problems with the original after at least a few thousand rounds in both a 21SF and 30SF. I previously had a 22 and 27 and put a few thousand rounds through those on the original guide rods without any issues either.

[Greybeard]

Nephew is a pastor at a small church in West Texas. A member had sold him an old (Gen 2) Glock 17 for $250. Nephew had no clue how to clean it, so I was showing him the drill over Christmas with family in Brownwood. Plastic guide rod was brittle enough that it broke during the first attempt to put it back in.

[TexasCajun]

Mine is still original - G17 gen3 with about 4k rounds through it in roughly 3 years. Haven't had any problems with it so far. FYI, Glock is now selling parts online in their e-store. And their prices are comparable or better than some of the other sellers.

[carlson1]

I used to change every Glock to a Tungsten guide rod. I never seen any difference other it made my wallet lighter.

I believe that is the Tungsten or Stainless was better Glock would have used them. It appears the plastic works for decades.

[Charlies.Contingency]

I used to change every Glock to a Tungsten guide rod. I never seen any difference other it made my wallet lighter.

I believe that is the Tungsten or Stainless was better Glock would have used them. It appears the plastic works for decades.

I would say so. Mine has lasted over two decades, working on three. It has been a duty gun, as well as my EDC up intil about two months ago when it was retired to BUG status thanks to my new Springfield Armory .45!

[The Annoyed Man]

Have two Glocks - G19 and G17 - and I was not aware that guide rods were a "Glock issue". Both have low round counts.

[TexasCajun]

Have two Glocks - G19 and G17 - and I was not aware that guide rods were a "Glock issue". Both have low round counts.

I don't think that there is an actual issue. More of a preference by some. Now that the Glock online store sells parts, I'll probably get a couple of extra guide rods & springs as back up for quick repairs if necessary.

[The Annoyed Man]

Have two Glocks - G19 and G17 - and I was not aware that guide rods were a "Glock issue". Both have low round counts.

I don't think that there is an actual issue. More of a preference by some. Now that the Glock online store sells parts, I'll probably get a couple of extra guide rods & springs as back up for quick repairs if necessary.

Would it be fair to say that, IF a Glock part will fail, it will most likely be the guide rod, or are there other replacement parts I should also be concerned about having on hand?

[TexasCajun]

Have two Glocks - G19 and G17 - and I was not aware that guide rods were a "Glock issue". Both have low round counts.

I don't think that there is an actual issue. More of a preference by some. Now that the Glock online store sells parts, I'll probably get a couple of extra guide rods & springs as back up for quick repairs if necessary.

Would it be fair to say that, IF a Glock part will fail, it will most likely be the guide rod, or are there other replacement parts I should also be concerned about having on hand?

I"m not sure about specific failure points. I'm not very mechanically inclined, so I go with the easy fixes approach when looking at keeping spare parts on-hand.

[Abraham]

Thanks all for your input.

One video I watched insisted that metallic guide rods reduce felt recoil and would allow faster follow up shots, and greater accuracy, but I had doubts, thus this thread.

At this point, metal guide rods being superior to Glock stock rods sounds like great marketing, with little to no real benefit to the consumer.

[TexasCrow]

yes I swapped mine on my 27 with a tungston guide rod. it's much heavier and could tell a difference on recoil. not as much muzzle flip.

[ghostrider]

yes.
I prefer stainless steel guide rods.
will probably replace the plastic one in the SR40C as well.