[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Stainless Guide Rods (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 3/17/2009 11:45:08 AM EDT
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AR15.com is expading our manufacturing capability, and one of the first products that we will be producing is a solid stainless replacement guide rod for the Sigs. Looking to get some input from you all regarding what you'd like to see offered; this can include which models and any other "features".
Here's a short FAQ: Q: Why Sig? A: Because I happen to be a big Sig shooter. We will start here, and can offer replacements for any other handguns you guys would like to see, so let us know in this thread. Q: Aren't there other existing solutions out there? A: Yes there are. We will be providing a better product at a lower cost. Q: What will the rods be made out of? A: 17-4ph stainless steel which will never rust or corrode. Q: What finishes will be available? A: Natural Stainless and Cerakotetm Black Q: What is the weight of these rods? A: Each model varies slightly from the other, but the P228/229 flat-end rod weighs in at 1.2oz Q: What guns? A: P220/P226, P220 Carry, P225/P6, P228/P229 initially. Q: Cost? A: $20 Q: What are the benefits of a solid stainless guide rod?
A: Q: What will the front end look like?
A: Updated below- end drill, concentric circles, and flat. (Option A/B pic left for historical purposes) 
UPDATED 3/31/09: Here are pictures of the actual parts; we will be offering 3 ends, most parts will be of the center drill (looks like factory part) but with a very limited run of flat end and concentric circles.
ORDERING The natural stainless finish is now available for ordering. Coated parts will come shortly as they have been sent away for coating. - SIG P220/P226 - SIG P220 Carry - SIG P225/P6 - SIG P228/P229 |
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Quoted: I'd like to see the checkered front or some kind of simple design at the tip that you can see from the barrel end the P226, P229/228 will be your bread and butter!!! http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/MauiWowie22/GuideRod.jpg  We can put a BFL on there...   I'm thinking something cleaner like the Stainless Elites have which is a smooth beveled end with a hole in the center. I'm sure P226 and P228/9 are popular, but I'm thinking the P220s have a following as well. Between those 3, I foresee 80-90% of the Sig market. Maybe 10% in P225/P6s? The rest, 5-8% I suspect are P239s and the mosquitos... But if there is no demand for the P225/P6 we can skip that. Not only do we need to decide which models, but how many of each... maybe it's time for a poll.  |
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P6 owners love their guns.... and love to buy parts for them
the only thing is a stainless rod in a P6 might look funny..... and a black stainless rod may just be an expense they won't "see" a return on Ie-no difference from the stock rod except weight I would buy a stainless rod for my P226 ST elite if the tip looked diff. from what I have already.... 
sorry I love posting pics |
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Quoted: P6 owners love their guns.... and love to buy parts for them the only thing is a stainless rod in a P6 might look funny..... and a black stainless rod may just be an expense they won't "see" a return on Ie-no difference from the stock rod except weight $20 we can afford.  Benefits beyond weight (which positively affects performance) are appearance, robustness, finish, workmanship, and appearance.I would buy a stainless rod for my P226 ST elite if the tip looked diff. from what I have already.... So what should it look like? Though it is understandingly cosmetic only, the end of the rod seems to be a factor here, so let's hear it. http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/MauiWowie22/20090303_5.jpg sorry I love posting pics |
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Quoted: If I am not mistaken I believe that the 226 and the 220 guide rods are the same. I guess if you are engraving the model number you would have to make 2 runs, but there should be some cost saving durring production given that they are the same dimensions. That is correct; the models we will start with are:
I will post some pics later tonight of the prototypes; maybe give you guys a choice.
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Met with the manufacturer today, and they mentioned that we could pretty much do anything we wanted on the end of these rods and suggested the pattern displayed as option B (what is shown is not actual part, as actual part will have bevelled or chamfered edge). Option A is what we were going with originally (actual part). Keep in mind we will be splitting the finish; half natural stainless and half Cerakote Black so everyone can be happy. Regarding availability, we are looking at getting production running next week so I expect to have these shipping for sure before the end of the month, and hopefully sooner.
Yes, gun was just fired and will be cleaned as soon as I post this... |
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Quoted: Any chance of getting the bolt face logo on the end of the guide rod?  Thought about it, but thought it would be too 'hokey'.  Not to mention it would have a limited consumer base of members from this site; not sure we have enough Sig fans here to justify it, hence the generic.
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Quoted: What would be the point of this part? I have several Sigs and have fired many, many thousands of rounds through them. Never had a problem. What would this part add for me? The benefits of a solid stainless guide rod include: - a more robust replacement for the hollow guide rods - a small amount of additional weight below the barrel and not part of the slide to improve muzzle flip - hollow rods can get dirty and rusty inside; solid rod is better for maintenance reasons - cosmetic benefit; if no other benefits interest you, these rods will look better |
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Quoted:
I voted for 220, and the 229, in stainless. I like the idea of the BFL on the end. It would be small, but a settle touch. Do lifers get first crack at them?  *notices your sigline* Heyyyyy Mr. SIG Armorer ... Mind if I IM you about some SRT trigger work...?
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Reread original post to 'get idea':
Q: What are the benefits of a solid stainless guide rod? A: The benefits of a solid stainless guide rod include: - a more robust replacement for the hollow guide rods - a small amount of additional weight below the barrel and not part of the slide to improve muzzle flip - hollow rods can get dirty and rusty inside; solid rod is better for maintenance reasons - cosmetic benefit; if no other benefits interest you, these rods will look better Then resist urge to potentially stomp the post by asking a question phrased in such a manner. Heavy metal and mercury filled guide rods have been around since likely before you were born. The reasons for them 99% of the time are NOT to replace failure prone OEM rods. |
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i have a stainless rod in my 245 now and i would buy one for the 220 and the 228 with standard front...some people arent allowed to change parts on their pistols if they are used for work and that even includes a simple guide rod so something that looks stock would be awesome...
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Quoted:
What would be the point of this part? I have several Sigs and have fired many, many thousands of rounds through them. Never had a problem. What would this part add for me? i have had a guide rod break a piece off from the face part that you see when the gun is together...it was a factory guide rod on my 245...my 245 has more rounds through it than i care to count and that was the only failure so far and the gun still functioned with the piece broken off...the stainless one i believe helps put a little more weight up front and aids in follow up shots... |
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Production samples in hand, photos to follow shortly below. Production run scheduled for today, so the stainless finish ones will be available as early as tomorrow. These things are sweet and I think you'll appreciate the amount of time that we put into the aesthetics to get them just perfect. UPDATED: Here are pictures of the actual parts; we will be offering 3 ends, most parts will be of the center drill (looks like factory part) but with a very limited run of flat end and concentric circles for certain guns. Black finish will take a bit longer as they need to be sent out.
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ORDERING The natural stainless finish is now available for ordering and I updated the original post. (flat and concentric circles have very limited availability as center drill maintains factory look) - SIG P220/P226 - SIG P220 Carry - SIG P225/P6 - SIG P228/P229 |
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Quoted:
ORDERING The natural stainless finish is now available for ordering and I updated the original post. (flat and concentric circles have very limited availability as center drill maintains factory look) - SIG P220/P226 - SIG P220 Carry - SIG P225/P6 - SIG P228/P229 Ordered 2 for my P226's and 2 for my P229's thanks!!! |
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Quoted:
Ordered 2 for my P226's and 2 for my P229's thanks!!! Sweet- I ran one on my P229 last night and tonight...
Quoted:
Gosh, those are nice. I'm hoping you'll have a black concentric circles model for a P226. We will; we will be sending half to get coated. Hopefully they'll go out tomorrow or the next day, and depending on the coater's work load, I'd expect a week or hopefully no more than two turnaround. The rest will be available to ship Friday.
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Quoted:
Ordered mine last night. I think I'll hold off on the install until someone more knowledgeable and wealthy than I does a thorough shakedown. I'll let you know after I've fired a few hundred through mine! If your gun didn't break the hollow EOM GR then a solid stainless is not going to hurt your SIG |