Seems like Pietro cheaped out. My new SS 92 has what looks like the dart from a cheap kids dartgun, with suction cup removed, for a recoil spring guide. I wonder if current M9s use that? I know Kel-Tec and Glock use 'em, but this caught me off guard. What next? Berettas made in China? And the locking block looks its home made with a hack saw...all machine marks.

As far as I know, the "dart gun" guide rod is standard.  If you're feeling worried about durability, Ernest Langdon(www.langdontactical.com/) sells:

LTT Stainless Guide Rod $24.00
LTT is making a solid stainless steel guide rod for the Beretta 92/96 series of handguns. These guide rods are made from solid 416 Stainless bar stock. These are a direct replacement for the stock Beretta recoil spring guide rod.  

I think the idea behind the current construction is to save weight.  If you're worried about it, you can upgrade with items like the above.  So far I've had no problems with it.

Viper Out

Edited to add a bracket.

On newer Berettas, safeties are made out of polymer too.  

I suppose I can make a guide rod from a stainless bolt at work, 316, in my spare time. But that locking block is atrocious, all machine marks, everywhere! My safety (levers) are metal. Good cover story on Langdon in the June issue of Combat Handguns. Thanks guys!