Guide rod

[Rickyh]

I have a CZ 75 SP 01 wanting to know if I should change out the stock plastic got a ride to a stainless steel one

[schmeky]

There is no "need".  The polymer guide rod helps cushion the barrel on link up. 

[trustmeimcertificated]

Its my understanding that a round wire recoil spring might chew up a plastic guide rod.  I have a CZ aluminum guide rod with a Wolff spring on my P-01 for that reason.  That could of course be all hearsay and rumor, and I expect the experienced gunsmiths like schmeky to know more than I.
Outside of that possibility, the polymer guide rod is fine and the only reason to replace it is if you dislike a heavy wallet.

[kobus]

after 1000's of rounds through both my p07 and sp01 with plastic guide rods i've had zero problems and can't see any signs of wear on the guide rods. 
when they were new i had stainless steel rods made for spare to use in case the plastic one breaks. well i don't think that i will have to use them soon. 

[Jay Dee]

I have a 2 each, steel and plastic, in all 4 of my CZs. No noticeable change in reliability or durability. In my 75 Compact, it does reduce the muzzle flip slightly.

[TSOL]

I have the plastic ones in my SP-01 and PCR and have well over 2000 rounds through the SP-01 and at least 1000 through the PCR with no issues so far. I do have metal rods in my Shadows and the 75 Compact that was customized by Angus and crew but to be honest while I'm glad it has a metal guide rod for the prices I paid I really don't think there are any issues with the plastic one.

If you are really worried just get a couple extra from the Custom shop or get a metal one if you really want but I don't think it really matters unless you are looking to compete with your gun.

[Dflores22]

Good Info...

[bemky]

i have noticed SOME wear on my plactic guid rod in my sp01 tac. but it looks negligible after about 850 rounds. either way i want a metal one.... just cause.... metal

[Dflores22]

Yeah, I think I will go with a metal one as well, just cause. Its not too much of an investment.

[1SOW]

kobus +1
My sons SPO1 plastic guide rod has run a whole lot of rds over years of use.  My 75B plastic guide rod never wore out.  I did change it to a new one after maybe 30K rds, because I had one.  60k rds now and the old one is the back-up.
As said above,  the plastic softens the bbl lock-up and adds almost no weight up front.

The steel G.R. 'should' last the life of the pistol.  It adds weight up front. No other practical loss/gain I've heard of.

[Jake G]

I have steel guide rods in a 75 Shadow and a 75b .40, they both came with steel. My SP-01 has plastic and will be getting steel to add a touch more weight for competition, however the plastic always worked perfectly. My 97b has a bedair steel guide rod for the same reason. My p-01 has plastic and always will. I've personally seen and worked on a PCR that was all chewed up on the inside from a steel guide rod. 

[Ma}{imus]

I have both for my Tactical. Currently using the plastic guide rod as my backup.

[mightyjoe]

No problems with my plastic rod. Ive switched between stock flat wire spring and a round wire spring and can't find any noticeable wear after a few thousand rounds.