Spikes ST-22 guide rod "upgrade"

[Gregchico]

This is not mine (or have I ever dealt with this guy), but thought I would pass it on...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Spikes-ST-22-22LR-conversion-Guide-Rod-upgrade_W0QQitemZ180390469290QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2a001c1eaa&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

I figure if I add one to my range bag then I will continue to have no problems with the factory set...

[ENTHUSIAST]

gun parts on eBay o NOES!!!

[dchang0]

I've got one, but from a different supplier. They're nice, and I'd recommend them.

[Chunky_lover]

thanks, the only guy I can find that sells them doesnt take paypal, I might get one now

[nickvig]

Somehow I doubt he has a bar stock fed cnc machine to make that part with. Chances are it's turned down on a lathe, heat treated and polished. Which is by no means easy work, but everyone loves the letter 'cnc' for accuracy. I'd like to see it in person before I would make a judgment call. Not saying good or bad, just observing.

Is he on here? Can he explain the machining process? I'd be interested to see.

[Chunky_lover]

the one guy on ar 15 that originally made them had done it by hand on a lathe, what the difference if by hand or machine. Im sure its not a critical part. I bought one and will take measurements from my e clip rod.

[Gregchico]

I got the guide rod today. It looks like a good quality piece. I'm going to install it in my "new" upper with only 3000-ish rounds down the pipe (I'm not changing a thing on my old one as it is 99.99% reliable).

I'm going out Wednesday for a high volume shoot (1000-ish rounds) so I will give a report then.


Edit....


I'm no engineer so here is the best I can do for now. Dia1 is the diameter of the shaft. Dia2 is the Diameter at the E-clip (or where it E-clip would be).

[shookatash]

subscribed.

[Chunky_lover]

I got mine from the e bay seller, whats weird is my spikes original rod is about 2-3 inches shorter then the e bay one, it doesnt bottom out or anything but I thought it was strange as they say it may be around 1/2 difference, mine is a huge difference.

[Gregchico]

I got a chance to go out and play today. As expected, there were no problems with the new guide rod. Actually, my new rifle I estimate a 97% reliable rifle worked as closer to 99.5% today. Yes, I know it could have been a "good" lot of bulk pack, or just the right temp or what ever, but I only had 2 or 3 failures of any kind in about 700-ish rounds.

I never had a problem with my e-clipped rod breaking, but the extra reliability I experienced today encouraged me to keep the new rod in for further testing. So far I'm a happy camper.

One other thing I noticed, is that my recoil spring was a slightly larger diameter then the solid e-clip end of the guide rod, so when the unit compressed, the spring could/would bind a little and be a little larger in diameter then the e-clip plate, but it did not effect operation that I could see.

On a side note, I also broke in my new Primary Weapon Systems M4 clone optic, it worked well and for under $100 delivered. I think it is a good optic for those looking for a good quality, inexpensive, clone optic for their non SHTF guns.....

[Chunky_lover]

I may also do a test on the guide rod tomorrow also, but going to break in the ak first

[Gregchico]

Wow, it looks like the topic was removed from the forum discussion on ARFcom.

That is too bad, I have nothing but good, positive overall experiences with Spikes and Tom.

[Chunky_lover]

I had a problem with mine, the new rod got stuck when the spring compressed, will upload a photo in a little while. I put a plastic washer in front of it to solve the problem.

[Gregchico]

I'm betting the end recoil spring "hopped" over the e-clip portion and caused the jam.

I had a little binding, but noting close to a jam. I just bent the cut end of the spring down a little and it solved that issue for me.

[dlouie87]

let me know how it shoots...

my dedicated upper is coming in soon.