New Sig 226, Guide rod is plastic??

[phantomak47]

I a new sig 226 tutone in .40 the other day and although its pretty much the same gun as my older 226 in 9mm, I was somewhat surprised to find that it has a plastic guide rod.

Where can I get a factory steel guide rod? Sigforum was not very helpful, I have found that THR has just as many sigphiles.

 

[n00bdave]

http://www.guiderod.com/

I got a steel guide rod for my SP2022 from this site. Very pleased with it.

 

[Jed Carter]

Top Gun Supply has SIG parts http://topgunsupply.com

 

[phantomak47]

Should I switch to a steel guide rod? Is this purely a cost issue?

 

[Sport45]

The only reason I can think of for switching would be to put a little more weight under the barrel.

Is the guide rod really plastic, or is it metal covered in a polymer?

 

[EOD Guy in VA]

I wonder when they made the change. My P226 has a hollow metal guide rod.

 

[blkbrd666]

Sig isn't the only one going to plastic guide rods. The Beretta 92FS once had a solid metal guide rod where the new 92FS or M9 has a fluted plastic guide rod. I have heard it was to prevent jamming when it gets dirty or full of sand. I can see where the fluting would solve this problem.

Since they are both competitors for military contracts, this could be where the design originated. This is just my opinion by the way.

 

[smartshooter.45]

Yes my roommate just picked up a NIB SP2022 and i was surprised and disappointed to find it had a plastic guide rod... does this really improve function while dirty? or are they finding ways to cut corners...

i have been impressed with sig quality in the past, so plastic internals arent a positive for me...

 

[VTChuck]

I think that's pretty common among polymer guns, I had a Beretta PX4 and Glocks come to mind. Flimsy looking but shouldn't affect functioning. I saw a Glock torture test where the guide rod completely melted away and popped out, yet the gun kept firing.

 

[KBintheSLC]

Jeeze... one less mag, plastic guide rods, is Sig losing its luster or what? I have 2 Sigs... 226 and 239 and I love them. But if they keep this trend up, I doubt I'll buy another.

 

[rcmodel]

Maybe they just got tired of all the complaints and warranty issues from the chatter marks on the steel ones?

Plastic is not only cheaper, but is self lubricating, self cleaning, won't rust, and are pretty much indestructible.

They are not a stressed part and require no strength to speak of.

Sounds like an improvement to me!

rc

 

[KBintheSLC]

Sounds like an improvement to me!

RC,

I can't say that I agree. I got rid of the plastic rods on all 3 of my Glocks... don't like them. They flex, which despite the self-lubing they might do, causes more friction. My slides operate smoother with steel. As for "chatter marks", I have yet to see anything that resembles that on either of my Sig's... 239 has over 10K through it with a steel rod.

I guess its a matter of personal taste, but you won't see me running a plastic rod on anything bigger than my KT P32.

 

[Ethereal]

Sounds like an improvement to me!

yeah, for SIG... thanks a lot Ron.

 

[TurboFC3S]

Improvement to the bottom line ... that's about all

 

[Sport45]

My 1991A1 came with a plastic trigger. I went out and bought a metal one. I really just wasted my money and added another failure point when the trigger stop set screw worked its way in and prevented the thing from working. The plastic trigger went back in and works fine.

On the other hand, its plastic mainspring housing did eventually crack. I replaced it with a stainless steel part. I don't know if the crack would have eventually caused problems, but I couldn't stand to look at it.

I wouldn't be afraid of a plastic guide rod until I saw signs of it causing a problem.

 

[heavyshooter]

I wonder when they made the change. My P226 has a hollow metal guide rod.

Mine does as well. If it were polymer I would probably replace it. My Sig Pro 2340 came with a polymer frame so I ordered one from the link below. It is steel and excellent. I don't know if he makes them for the P226 but you may want to check.

http://mysite.verizon.net/feez357/

Heavy

 

[kd7nqb]

I just looked at the link posted above and under their section where they list reasons to buy this is what they list.

"it just looks cool"
"a more refined, finished look"
"the extra weight out front reduces muzzle flip"
"I just like it"
"it adds quality to the gun"
"I bought mine for the cool factor alone"
"women prefer solid rods"

Not a single reliability argument, makes me think it makes little difference. Which is fine, if you want steel order one.

 

[raskolnikov_22]

Jeeze... one less mag, plastic guide rods, is Sig losing its luster or what?

The worst is what they have done to the P220, trying to make what is a great .45 pistol in its own right a 1911 wannabe.

Should I switch to a steel guide rod? Is this purely a cost issue?

I did replace the plastic guide rod and trigger with steel components in my Beretta; I just like steel better.

 

[GLOOB]

Jeeze... one less mag, plastic guide rods, is Sig losing its luster or what?

AFAIK, yes. The only SIG that I find interesting is the West German P220. The modern guns don't seem to have the accuracy of the old P220. Particularly anything that says Sigarms on it.

 

[modifiedbrowning]

Should I switch to a steel guide rod? Is this purely a cost issue?

There is no functional reason to switch to a metal guide rod, the plastic one works fine. I would imagine it is a cost issue.
I own some guns with plastic guide rods and have never had a problem.
It is purely a personal preference whether to switch to a metal guide rod or not.

 

[RobMoore]

Seems SIG is bound and determined to lose the good reputation they've been riding the crest of all these years.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Ill wager it doesnt matter much.

Just like full length guide rods on 1911s are a solution to a problem that never existed, replacing your plastic ones with steel will also be just that. Personal preference can go a long way towards companies laughing all the way to the bank.

 

[Greybeard7]

I've been thinking about a Sig for CCW. This post has given me second thoughts.

I'm sure there are advocates for a plastic guide rod, but just contemplating the difference, it does cause some concern for me.

I'm sure it works fine from the factory, and for many rounds after purchase. I would still have some trepidation. Steel and plastic have different characteristics, and I just have more confidence in steel.

GB7

 

[Sport45]

Springfield makes almost the whole frame of their XD line out of plastic.

The horrors!!!

 

[heavyshooter]

I just looked at the link posted above and under their section where they list reasons to buy this is what they list.

"it just looks cool"
"a more refined, finished look"
"the extra weight out front reduces muzzle flip"
"I just like it"
"it adds quality to the gun"
"I bought mine for the cool factor alone"
"women prefer solid rods"

Not a single reliability argument, makes me think it makes little difference. Which is fine, if you want steel order one.

kd7nqb,

I believe that list was based on the "second kind of cool."

He mentioned function on the same site and I can attest to a significant part of the steel rods function. The pip at the back of the plastic guide rod was smoothing out because it was rubbing against the steel barrel. I decided that the steel rod could hold up to that better and it has. It has run flawlessly since I made the switch. Durability and reliablity was enough for me to make the switch.

Heavy