Value of stainless guide rod?

[203CT240]

I was flipping through CZ's parts and saw the stainless guide rod and was just trying to figure out why its beneficial. I understand its most likely more solid but what is the benefit?

Cheers

[1SOW]

Good question.

[Stuart]

Doesn't wear like the polymer rod. Some people prefer metal to polymer.

[bigi]

Have 2 shadows, 4000 rounds, plastic rods are fine. Discussed with couple knowledgeable guys, ss one is nice to have but will not be able to tell the difference except more weight.

[203CT240]

Thanks for the knowledge. It seemed like an unnecessary addition.

[1SOW]

Some people also have difficulty getting it in and out of the slide according to some posts here.  I personally don't know. 

[czechyoself]

I had one before in my SP01 and pulled it. It had a ring milled into the center of it that was slightly larger than the exit hole on the slide so it hung a bit when it was first installed. The rear of it was getting chewed up over time too. Didn't think it was a good fit.

If the polymer is good enough for CZ to put in all their production pistols, it's probably good enough for us too.

[203CT240]

Have there been many reports of people breaking the polymer rod? is it worth purchasing another just in case?

[pnwkiwi]

My experience was similar to that of  Czechyoself - the barrel interface of the rod was getting heavily burred with use and I didn't see any real benefit from having a s/s rod in an SP-01 which is nicely front weighted due to the accessory rail and full length dust cover.  went back to polymer and haven't looked back.  In any event polymer rods are what, $3 to replace?

[203CT240]

I was more wondering if its worth having one on standby. Or I guess the better question might be if anyone has broken one at how many rounds did it break?

[armed hiker]

I would guess if they were a problem CZ would have not put them in a service pistol like the P-01 that they are trying to make as reliable as possible.

Some may just feel more comfortable with a steel part, after all many of us prefer steel and wood as plastic will never last.... lol.
It seems that the spring is just going to wear the rod more than the SS version, at the point it does not slide easily it might damage the spring (not likely I think).

bigi
How is the wear on your plastic rods at 4000 rounds?

[SlimPickens]

The polymer rods hold up very well.  Nothing wrong with them.  The only benefit I see by using a stainless steel guide rod is the little bit of extra weight in the front to lessen recoil. 

[jabbermurph]

almost 8k on mine in the SP-01

[Skookum]

The value of a stainless steel guide rod?  About $25 last I looked.

The biggest drawback of the polymer guide rod is it that it looks cheesy, especially on a supposedly all-steel pistol..

Whether the polymer guide rod is prone to breakage or not, an extra $3 on your next order to CZ-USA gets you a cheap spare to toss in your range bag.

[larryflew]

Have there been many reports of people breaking the polymer rod? is it worth purchasing another just in case?

Stuart could probably provide a better answer but in a LOT of years with CZ,  knowing a lot of CZ users and being on this forum for a while I have never heard of anyone breaking a Delrin rod.  Delrin is the same stuff used for almost all high end paintball moving parts and they also last forever.