Tungsten guide rod warning.

[HAMMERHEAD]

I had posted before about how much I like uncaptured tungsten guide rods. They were great in my Glock 20 and for a while in my 17l. Now I am finding some deep dents in the rod itself where it goes through the front hole in the slide.
It seems to be denting there. The hole in the longslides is not complete like it is in the 20 or 17.
I have also been experiencing some rounds flying 6 or 8 inches high with the tungsten rod in place. When I put the standard setup in place, the flyers disappear.
I hope I didn't mislead anyone into buying one for their longslide.
They work so slick in my 20, just not for 17l's anyway.

[EtdBob]

;P ;P ;P
Oh no! I just put a tungsten rod in the 17L I'm giving to my wife on Christmas morning!

Have you sent an email to Topglock on the subject?

How many rounds do you have through that 17L and on that rod?

[HAMMERHEAD]

Yeah Bob you were the first guy I thought of when I realized the what the problem was. Sorry for selling you on them. The dents are not too deep and it might be only my pistol that does it. Also there doesn't seem to be any hint of damage to the pistol itself where the rod goes through the slide.
So I would say use it. The reduced recoil should help the wife get used to the pistol.
I can't hold topglock responsible, they didn't make it, and unless everyone has trouble, T.H.E. can't be blamed either.
Like I said, they're the cats' meow on a G-20/G-21.
Maybe the damage is self limiting like the 'smile' on a Sig P226 barrel.
I probably have 800 rounds through the pistol with 75% shot with the tungsten rod.

[EtdBob]

Huh, well, I'm certainly gonna leave it in the pistol for now.
I'll be sure to update this post if the wifes' pistol has any troubles with it!

Thanks for the heads up!

[sgtlmj]

I had a stainless uncap. rod with a coil spring do that on a G24.

I'm thinking that the round spring allows the rod to move around a bit in the semi-circular hole, whereas the flat spring keeps it centered better.

[One Ragged Hole]

I use a "Captured Rod" plastic washer on my extended Tungstun rod in my G34. It made a noticable difference in the force needed to hand cycle the slide with the same spring (13# ISMI) and the pistol runs smoother. The washer centers the rod in the "Spotface" in the rear of the slide where the recoil rod runs. Give it a try.
O-R-H

[HAMMERHEAD]

That's a great idea. I wonder where I could order just the washer.
I was using ISMI flat wire springs that seemed to fit the hole pretty well, but there must just be too much force for a spring alone.
I might try machining a custom piece from brass at work.

[EtdBob]

Ah ha!
Well, if no one knows where to find just the washer, I may have to buy a custom brass one from ya Hammerhead!

[One Ragged Hole]

Brass might work, but I'd watch the clearances you use, to prevent the rod coming out of the "half-moon" in the barrel if it can't move enough. The rod does still drag on the top of the washer, but there's much less friction compared to the two points of contact on a hardened slide.
O-R-H

[JWG_34]

Guys,
Just to let yall know the denting on the tungsten guide rod is self-limiting. I have the tungsten guide rod in my G34.It has a few dents in it. I have put at least 10k rds through it.And have never had a problem with "flyers" as you call them,If anything I had the biggest problem getting the empty cases out of the gun. "powder puff loads"

IMO! Leave the tungsten guide rod in as it is ,dont worry about it. You will notice that after a few hundred rds ,you will notice that the "dents" have not gotten any worse.

You can go into the GSSF room and ask about this if you like or the gunsmith room!

Jeff