Glock Guide Rod

[Turbinator]

Another vote for leaving it stock. Calguns wisdom says that you should replace the guide rod every 3000 rounds or so, or when the gun fails a guide rod test.

The test (as noted elsewhere on Calguns in a thread by another poster) is to:

1) verify gun is unloaded
2) pull trigger, safe direction
3) keep trigger pulled, point gun up
4) manually rack slide, ride slide forward

If the slide closes all the way on its own, you're good to go. If the slide has difficulty closing, it's time for a new recoil spring.

I would hate to spend big bucks on an aftermarket recoil spring and guide rod only to have to replace it in 1 or 2 years. The factory guide rods are just fine and affordable enough to replace periodically.

Turby

[dskell]

Leave it be. The gun was designed to function with the plastic rod.

Exactly. They didn't just throw some random parts together.

Isn't it silly to think that a Glock rod is crap becase it's made of plastic?

Took the words right out of my mouth! hahaha.

If you're gonna change the guide rod because it's polymer sell your Glock. (Or donate it to me.)

[glockwise2000]

I would suggest to leave it as it is for now. It would not make any difference if you are shooting 9mms. If you notice any incomplete closure of the slide when you rack it up, as stated by Turby, then that would be an indication that you need to replace it. And replace it to your liking.

[thrillhouse700]

This is always heavily discussed on glock talk. There is a slow mo video of a glock firing and how much flex the thing has and the guide rod flexes with it. It was designed for this. BTW the glock Kaboom is just as prevalent in any other firearm. Glock KB is FUD, if you fire raw lead bullets through any polygonal rifling over a period of time you run the chance of KB. If you shoot too hot a round through any gun it will KB. If you do not check your barrel for obstructions it will KB. KB is not just reserved for Glocks.

Yes I own one, no I'm not a fanboy although I am very happy with mine. I am quite aware that ANY firearm I own or shoot if not properly cared for can KB.

[bsg]

use the factory part.

[jdg30]

Keep the stock guide rod; that's how the gun was designed and it works great. The stainless won't give you any performance upgrade so I would keep the stock guide rod unless you just want to spend more money for kicks.

[Voo]

There's not much reason to swap it out unless you want to run a different spring weight.. I hear things like 'upgrade' or 'improvement' and i wonder exactly how it's improving over the original plastic one. A steel one does nothing 'better' than the plastic one. The only major difference on steel ones is the ease of swapping out spring weights. Beyond that, they do nothing for recoil reduction or flip. I've run an extended tungsten guide rod in my competition G34 and IMHO, it was "nothing to write home about".

Again, if you're going to change spring weights, then a steel one is worthwhile. If not, but don't be shocked that it does nothing except lighten your wallet about $15-20 bucks.

[OneSevenDeuce]

I'm not a fanboy

I never got that kind of thing anyway. I mean, yeah, I have been a 1911 guy for a while, but I never considered myself married to them til death do we part. I appreciate polymer pistols, both Glock and others, for what they are, and all steel for what they are. Honestly I have too much fun with guns to discriminate a whole lot. Just so long as the thing is reliable and safe I'll take it to the range any day.

My home defense choices are a different story. But that's another topic.