P226 Solid Steel Guide Rod

I'd be more inclined to go with Armory Craft. Typically their parts are first rate. Weight is 32g

SS Guide Rods

Thx for your feedback Willard! I would say the 3 OEM rods are.. 1,2,8. From left to right.

What's the benefit over the OEM rod?

Jesse Hernandez said:

Thx for your feedback Willard! I would say the 3 OEM rods are.. 1,2,8. From left to right.

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#3 my P226 Elite, and #s 9 & 10, P220 Carry and Carry Slide on early German frame.

ras47 said:

What's the benefit over the OEM rod?

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Not a whole lot, the stamped tubular models do have a thin flange, whole the solid rods do have a fully formed flange. Weight wise probably less than an ounce heavier. Some use Tungsten rods for a little more weight, although I doubt that little weight would eliminate much recoil. In most cases, it's nothing more than a preference!

Some have used Nylon/Plastic Rods, which since some of the full sized pistols like P220 .45 Acps, and P226 .357 Sig /.40 S&W models are currently using flat wire replacement springs. In these cases, the flat wire springs can act like rasps, slicing off strips of the Rods.

Willard said:

Some have used Nylon/Plastic Rods, which since some of the full sized pistols like P220 .45 Acps, and P226 .357 Sig /.40 S&W models are currently using flat wire replacement springs. In these cases, the flat wire springs can act like rasps, slicing off strips of the Rods.

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Is it better to use Wolff Springs than OEM flat wire in your opinion?

Willard said:

#3 my P226 Elite, and #s 9 & 10, P220 Carry and Carry Slide on early German frame.

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In my opinion the Matrix rods look better than the OEM rods.

Matrix makes great stuff.
Its a solid piece of steel that is machined what to really worry about..

BajaJames said:

Matrix makes great stuff.
Its a solid piece of steel that is machined what to really worry about..

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Thx for confirming that! I will go ahead and buy the Matrix brand rod.

So while we're on the topic, and given they're generally the same price, any particular advantage
to the black steel rods over stainless aside from aesthetics? In most applications quality
stainless is the way to go, but there may be another factor here I'm not considering.

weatom said:

So while we're on the topic, and given they're generally the same price, any particular advantage
to the black steel rods over stainless aside from aesthetics? In most applications quality
stainless is the way to go, but there may be another factor here I'm not considering.

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Many of the "black" may likely be stainless anyway, just blackened. All stainless is not equal, depending on the alloy used. In this instance, it's not undergoing a lot of stress, since hollow tubing, and synthetics have been used as substitutes.

Matrix doesn't specify what alloy is used to make their "black" rods, just "solid steel with a black oxide finish", their "stainless", just described as solid stainless. STAINLESS STEEL GUIDE RODS, advertises using 304 Stainless Alloy, Armory Craft doesn't specify, as well as Gray Guns but again Sig has used plastic!

Willard said:

Many of the "black" may likely be stainless anyway, just blackened. All stainless is not equal, depending on the alloy used. In this instance, it's not undergoing a lot of stress, since hollow tubing, and synthetics have been used as substitutes.

Matrix doesn't specify what alloy is used to make their "black" rods, just "solid steel with a black oxide finish", their "stainless", just described as solid stainless. STAINLESS STEEL GUIDE RODS, advertises using 304 Stainless Alloy, Armory Craft doesn't specify, as well as Gray Guns but again Sig has used plastic!

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Thanks, and a good point. I was just curious.