Educate me on guide rods please. - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Ezra Smack · 06-24-2008, 08:42 PM

I see lots of references to guide rods. Do I need an after market model to add weight up front to reduce recoil? I have one for my 1911 that cost $100 because it is filled with liquid mercury. It dampens recoil much like the "dead mule" system for shotguns but it is totally illegal for IDPA use. I noticed that the factory guide rod in my 5" tactical is nothing more than a hollow tube. What gives?

XD9Sub · 06-25-2008, 05:16 AM

I use Don's Fat stainless guide rod ($20), it adds 1+ oz up front, I think it makes a little difference, but maybe it's my imagination (I also use a heavier recoil spring at 20#) it may be the combination of the two which is making my felt recoil difference from stock). Canyon Creek offers a tungsten guide rod ($85), which weighs 3+ ounces more than Don's Fat rod.

I have no idea if these are IDPA legal, I'm sure others will chime in. It's really a personal preference thing, not a necessity, to change the guide rod/spring.

tomfoolery · 06-25-2008, 05:19 AM

In the 5 inch tactical model it is only to add weight (since it has a one piece full length rod now). If you get a Tungsten filled rod you will be able to notice the difference in muzzle flip.

As far as the 4 inch service goes...you are replacing the captive spring/rod assembly for a 1911 style one piece rod and seperate spring. This adds weight but also allows you to custom tailor the spring weight to your preferred setting.

Good luck and enjoy!

ichy_trigger · 06-25-2008, 05:28 AM

On the XD Tactical, I heated my rod up, not enough to change colors, and then poured lead into it and tamped it down, then more lead, until it was full. This is legal for USPSA, not sure about IDPA. Its a cheap fix if your wanting to add some weight and you want to do so for free. Its heavier than a stainless rod but a tad lighter than tungeston.

wmrawls · 06-25-2008, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XD9Sub

I use Don's Fat stainless guide rod ($20), it adds 1+ oz up front, I think it makes a little difference, but maybe it's my imagination (I also use a heavier recoil spring at 20#,

I use the same set up in My XD 45 Tactical and it's not my imagination at all as to the recoil, my poor old arthritic hands can tell a big difference since the change over. Well worth the money IMHO.

USMC 0802 · 06-25-2008, 07:33 AM

[quote=ichy_trigger;1168806]This is legal for USPSA, not sure about IDPA. quote]

No, it is not legal for IDPA.

XD9Sub · 06-25-2008, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wmrawls

it's not my imagination at all as to the recoil, my poor old arthritic hands can tell a big difference since the change over. Well worth the money IMHO.

I was being "politically correct" about the felt recoil. I've had people argue with me that it (stainless rod and heavier spring) makes no difference for them. They start saying it's subjective, imagination, whatever

I agree with you, there is a difference in felt recoil

The DRis · 06-25-2008, 05:32 PM

So is that what the full length guide rod does in springfields custom shop? It just adds weight?

Road Weazel · 07-01-2008, 08:34 AM

I have a guide rod question...
I just commited to buy a NIB XD45 Service (w/ambi safety) that I plan to use as a competition gun for the local-boy matches. I'm looking for guide rods and recoil springs and can't find any for the Service model.
What's the deal with that? Am I just not looking in the right places or should I have held out for a Tactical? It just doesn't make sense to me that they have them for the 5" but not the 4", altho I'm new to the XD scene.
Thanx.
Weazel

rgeliske · 07-02-2008, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The DRis

So is that what the full length guide rod does in springfields custom shop? It just adds weight?

The main reason for a aftermarket guide rod is to make it easier to change recoil springs, which is beneficial when shooting reduced loads. Second it is less likely to break than a 2 piece guide rod, and third the tungsten guide rod adds weight helping reduce muzzle flip but the stainless steel rods had very little weight. Fourth is that they look cool when polished.

Road Weazel,

No there is no guide rod available for the 4" barrel 45ACP. It is an issue with finding currently manufactured springs that will function properly. Not even Wolfe has a spring for the 4" barrel that is reliable and they make springs.

06-24-2008, 08:42 PM	#1
Ezra Smack XDTalk Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 79	Educate me on guide rods please. I see lots of references to guide rods. Do I need an after market model to add weight up front to reduce recoil? I have one for my 1911 that cost $100 because it is filled with liquid mercury. It dampens recoil much like the "dead mule" system for shotguns but it is totally illegal for IDPA use. I noticed that the factory guide rod in my 5" tactical is nothing more than a hollow tube. What gives?

06-25-2008, 05:16 AM	#2
XD9Sub XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Norcross, GA Posts: 999	I use Don's Fat stainless guide rod ($20), it adds 1+ oz up front, I think it makes a little difference, but maybe it's my imagination (I also use a heavier recoil spring at 20#) it may be the combination of the two which is making my felt recoil difference from stock). Canyon Creek offers a tungsten guide rod ($85), which weighs 3+ ounces more than Don's Fat rod. I have no idea if these are IDPA legal, I'm sure others will chime in. It's really a personal preference thing, not a necessity, to change the guide rod/spring. __________________ "We will always remember. We will always be proud. We will always be prepared, so we may always be free" Ronald Reagan, June 6th, 1984, Normandy France Øbama '08 Last edited by XD9Sub; 06-25-2008 at 09:58 AM.

06-25-2008, 05:19 AM	#3
tomfoolery XDTalk 4K Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 4,570	In the 5 inch tactical model it is only to add weight (since it has a one piece full length rod now). If you get a Tungsten filled rod you will be able to notice the difference in muzzle flip. As far as the 4 inch service goes...you are replacing the captive spring/rod assembly for a 1911 style one piece rod and seperate spring. This adds weight but also allows you to custom tailor the spring weight to your preferred setting. Good luck and enjoy! __________________ "It is better to die on your feet than live on your knees." "One is none, two is one, and three is just a good time." Clint Smith, referring to the number of guns you carry daily.

06-25-2008, 05:28 AM	#4
ichy_trigger XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 7,525	On the XD Tactical, I heated my rod up, not enough to change colors, and then poured lead into it and tamped it down, then more lead, until it was full. This is legal for USPSA, not sure about IDPA. Its a cheap fix if your wanting to add some weight and you want to do so for free. Its heavier than a stainless rod but a tad lighter than tungeston. __________________ "The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." http://militarysignatures.com/signatures/member2645.png

06-25-2008, 07:33 AM	#6
USMC 0802 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Stationed in El Paso, TX (North Mexico) Posts: 109	[quote=ichy_trigger;1168806]This is legal for USPSA, not sure about IDPA. quote] No, it is not legal for IDPA. __________________ Semper Fi, Matt

06-25-2008, 05:32 PM	#8
The DRis XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Oceanside Posts: 701	So is that what the full length guide rod does in springfields custom shop? It just adds weight?

07-01-2008, 08:34 AM	#9
Road Weazel XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 28	I have a guide rod question... I just commited to buy a NIB XD45 Service (w/ambi safety) that I plan to use as a competition gun for the local-boy matches. I'm looking for guide rods and recoil springs and can't find any for the Service model. What's the deal with that? Am I just not looking in the right places or should I have held out for a Tactical? It just doesn't make sense to me that they have them for the 5" but not the 4", altho I'm new to the XD scene. Thanx. Weazel __________________ Biker, Soldier, Educator, Lover of the Obscure... "Each man must for himself alone decide what is right and what is wrong, which course is patriotic and which isn't. You cannot shirk this and be a man. To decide against your conviction is to be an unqualified and excusable traitor, both to yourself and to your country..." - Mark Twain

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