Modify stainless guide rod for SP01 manual safety?

[schutz85C]

The CGW SS guide rod will not set into its place with a CGW 13R recoil spring or even a shorter factory 14 lbs round coil spring from my 85C.
I was wondering whether anybody has modified this brand of rod so it sets in place?
The eemann stainless guide rod seems to be 1.4 mm shorter than the CGW one.
I can't find honest testimonials on how it fits short of an mcarbo YouTube vid that honestly shows how their product is a bit of a struggle to set in.
The CGW one simply does not clear the barrel rest edge. No way,no how on my 2021 brand new sp01.
Thanks
Btw if you have a working steel guide rod can you post the length of it? Thanks

[seebee62]

I have a 2021 SP-01 Tactical that I just installed a CGW steel guide Rod a few weeks ago with a 12R Spring and it went right in. Is there a difference in the Tactical and Manual Safety other than decocker?


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[DMY]

I installed a CGW SS guide rod in my 2018 SP-01 manual safety at the same time I installed a Pro Package. It installed and racked fine. However, with a 12# and 14# recoil spring, it would not always go into battery with my reloads. I don't believe the springs were too light because a few of my projectiles separated from the case when the slide cycled. I reinstalled the original, shorter plastic spring guide and regained 100% reliability with the same bullets. My theory is that the tighter SS guide restricts the movement between the barrel lug holes and slide stop pin. Anyway, I'm storing the SS guide rod for now.

[schutz85C]

Thanks guys, this is an oddity.
I have found various testimonials online,mostly on this platform.
Experiences ranging from peening to odd behaviors .

Maybe some product cycle is manufactured by different specs under the same umbrella brand? No idea.

For this item, the manual safety and Tactical model should be no different since the sear cage has nothing to do with the recoil system.

[seebee62]

Have you contacted GGW about this?


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[schutz85C]

Yes.
A few emails with David.
But he just finally advised to return for refund.

I might.

BTW I also tried to pull up on the recoil spring while trying to press into position. FAIL.

[Steve Menegon]

Can you measure the guiderod and post the dimensions? I will pull the guiderod out of my SP01 and measure it to compare. I know I have to watch as I insert guiderod into place to be sure it protrudes through the hole as it is a little tight, but it goes in and functions perfectly fine.

[seebee62]

Yes.
A few emails with David.
But he just finally advised to return for refund.

I might.

BTW I also tried to pull up on the recoil spring while trying to press into position. FAIL.

Do you mean when you get the guide rod into the clearance hole on the slide the back of the guide rod won’t fit onto the barrel lug? 


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[schutz85C]

The end of the SS rod will not center into the slide hole because the head of the rod will not clear the barrel lug edge at all.
The rod can not be manipulated to center into the hole and drop into its resting place at the barrel lug/feet.

dimensions:
CGW :SS rod is 96.8875 mm  or 3.8125 inches long

The thickness is ok since without a spring,the rod does fit in and sets into place.
The problem is that with the presence of a spring it will not set into place.
I do not use 11 lbs. springs so those are not at hand to try.

compare to the eemann SS rod (from their marketing ad) : 95,5mm  3.759843 inches long for eeman

[seebee62]

Maybe this will help.

This is how I put the SS guide rod in my SP-01

I come in at a angle from the barrel.

I then turn the back of the guide rod with my thumb so it wiggles into the slide clearance hole. I then push it through the hole and then seat the guide rod on the barrel lug.

The photos are out of order in the procedure. 

The first pic is after it’s in.

The second picture is coming in at a angle.

The third picture is the guide rod seated.
















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[schutz85C]

Thank you SeeBee62! That is a comprehensive install tutorial. (good for the archives)
In my case, no matter how I angle the thing in, the tapered (or beveled) front edge does not get near the edge of the corresponding slide hole. Funny,your rod length approximates mine.
Only the flat end tip is visible by 50% when looking at that end.
So it will not clear either end of the rod relative to the slide enough to allow rod entry into slide hole.

I tried your angle and other angles and pulling the 13R and shorter 85C factory #14 spring up while simultaneously trying your angled method. Even tried to use a popsicle stick to lift the partially installed rod toward a centered position. No dice.
I will return it. I will stick to polymer rods.  Thanks!!!

[Steve Menegon]

I measured the guiderod out of my SP-01this morning. Mine is 3.800" long. Seems you may have one for something else or is out of spec. I'd get it exchanged and see what happens.

[SoCal]

Can you install the rod without the spring?

[schutz85C]

Thanks Steve for the measurement.

SoCal, yes without any spring,the rod does set in place.

[Steve Menegon]

You're welcome. When you put the guide rod in place without the spring, did you take note if and how far the guide rod stuck out the end of the muzzle if it did, or was it flush?