[xDarthWonkax]

Just curious if the guide rod is worth switching out for a stainless steel one. I know Sig is high quality but I don't know about the guide rods. Any input on this would be appreciated.

 

[sigruger7]

When the SS guide rods first came out they were all the rage and lots of us had to have them. Make a difference? Dunnno--supposed to add a bit of weight up front that may control muzzle flip a little. Most who ordered one, like me, probably did it cause it was cool looking. So now they come in black too. On Sig models that came/come with a plastic guide rod, they get switched out for steel ones a lot

 

[black squirrel]

swapped ours out, one was all pitted and oxidized. It didn't affect the operation but couldn't square it with my better sense to leave it so I replaced it and subsequent GRs

 

[yellowlt7]

Run what it's got, SIG knew what they were doing with the P226.

 

[shifty01]

Whats an extra $25 for a stainless guiderod. I put one in my stainless slide.

 

[bearone2]

not necessary

 

[Jeremiah74]

not necessary

I agree.. Unless your pistol has the plastic rod I'd say just leave it alone and save your money.

I replaced the plastic rod in my P226 for one of the high dollar Tactical Pro heavyweight rods with the tungsten core. They advertise that it weighs 20% more than a solid steel rod. This lessens muzzle flip and recoil by adding extra weight on the muzzle of the pistol making it more resistant to change of motion... In theory I guess it has to work a little but I couldn't feel any noticeable difference myself.

 

[MBJKU]

I got Steve Bedair stainless guide rod for my P220 Equinox because it looks better with it, it is like missing something without. But after shooting about 200 rounds I found that rod is little scratched by the sping even been lubericated well before. I don't know if it is normal, will probably take it off and install original. Steve doesn't sell them anymore anyway because of cancer/health issue he closed his company. Very sad...

 

[DBS]

The general consensus seems to be that they don't make much difference in feel or function, but many folks prefer the look to the original.

 

[dwg13013]

I think it is all about the look, and if one wants to go stainless it will work well.
It's just all about what you want.

I have shot the lightest 220 (carbon slide German) and the heaviest ( ST) side by side, and I just can't buy the weight in the nose stuff.
It is all just personal taste.
Little like women.
They both shot great, and compared to the gun, a guide rod is a feather.

 

[black squirrel]

I got Steve Bedair stainless guide rod for my P220 Equinox because it looks better with it, it is like missing something without. But after shooting about 200 rounds I found that rod is little scratched by the sping even been lubericated well before. I don't know if it is normal, will probably take it off and install original. Steve doesn't sell them anymore anyway because of cancer/health issue he closed his company. Very sad...

sorry to hear about Steve.

 

[fjgiie]

Metal Guide Rod

The SIG Sauer factory changed out my plastic recoil spring guide
with the hollow steel one when the pistol went in for some warranty work.
The recoil spring was eating the plastic one up. The hollow steel ones
seem to work very well.

 

[bunk22]

It can look good, I've got one in my 226 Navy and M11A1D. No difference in felt performance but it looks good.

 

[bonessig]

I have one in my 9mm p226, 40 p226, 40 tacops p226, and is mostly just for looks, I have the efk fire dragon frame saver recoil system in my 40 p229 and it does help to tame the recoil a bit but the same can be done with a stiffer recoil spring it's all just personal preference to me

 

[SigDaddy]

The recoil spring was eating the plastic one up. The hollow steel ones seem to work very well.

Agreed. When I picked up my P229 LEO trade-in it had a plastic guide rod. The plastic one was a bit marred and the recoil spring was hard to get off of the plastic. I replaced the spring and the guide rod with the factory carbon steel one from Top Gun. I didn't see the need to spend the extra cash for stainless. This one works just fine.