M9 Beretta guide rod

Targa · January 24, 2017, 06:39 PM

I picked up a M9 yesterday and I love the gun but man that cheap, flimsy guide rod is a borderline insult in cost cutting. I have already ordered a proper steel one that should have been used in the first place. Anyway I digress, has anyone kept that plastic insult long enough to see if there any adverse affects to it after a couple thousand rounds or so?

DubC-Hicks · January 24, 2017, 07:18 PM

Mine has been plastic for the whole time I've had it, for a few thousand rounds or so. Never had a problem with it. I believe military issue M9s have plastic guide rods as well.

One issue I have heard about with switching to metal guide rods, is the rod bending when it gets hit or something. Plastic guide rods just flex and go right back to how they are supposed to be.

iraiam · January 24, 2017, 07:31 PM

I think the polymer guide rod is actually part of the "sand resistant" scheme of the pistol. A steel guide rod will work fine, but steel can get bent. I have several 92/M9 pistols, I have changed some of the guide rods to steel for aesthetic reasons, I have also used the polymer rod extensively without issues.

GeneS · January 24, 2017, 07:44 PM

Yeah, the plastic guide rod is actually the better one.

Targa · January 24, 2017, 07:55 PM

Ok everyone thank you, I will stick with the polymer and have the steel as a backup. I am just use to military issued M9's and they do have the steel rod. I knew the rods were plastic in the later offerings but when I took it a part and saw the thing I was pretty surprised at how.....well, flimsy it appeared. Sounds like it is good to go, thanks again.

**JohnKSa** · January 25, 2017, 12:54 AM

Haven't heard any reports of problems with the plastic rods. The irony is that I have heard of the two-piece steel rods failing...

b.thomas · January 25, 2017, 04:39 AM

I started thinking about going the metal route with my Smith 910s. Was advised on here and another web site to stick with the plastic!
five-six years later now and somewhere around two thousand rounds...........the plastic guide rod is still chugging along just fine.
Just might go with metal some day when I need a too change the guide rod, but for now I'll stay with the plastic!
As the old saying goes..............iffen she ain't broke, don't try to fix it!

rodfac · January 25, 2017, 08:32 AM

My son has over 5000 round through his 92 with no guide rod problems. Rod

Model12Win · January 25, 2017, 08:49 AM

Military M9s have plastic guide rods now. They are every bit as good as the steel ones and offer some benefits. You do NOT need or even want a steel guide rod, trust me on this. It is not a "cost cutting measure" but one of performance. Stick with the plastic guide rod and buy ammo instead.

carguychris · January 25, 2017, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b.thomas

I started thinking about going the metal route with my Smith 910s. Was advised on here and another web site to stick with the plastic!

FWIW the issue on S&W metal-frame DA/SA auto pistols is different than with Berettas. On the Smiths, the guide rod has to sit in a tiny sharp-edged metal shelf under the barrel during reassembly, and if the edge of the plastic rod becomes rounded off, it may refuse to stay put, making reassembly a PITA. Some S&W fans prefer steel guide rods for this reason.

The guide rod retaining lug on the Beretta is much larger, so this is not a problem.

Martowski · January 25, 2017, 10:15 AM

Plastic rod here in my 92fs, no problems at all.

Back in the 80's they said a plastic frame on a pistol would never work and look where we are now.

g.willikers · January 25, 2017, 10:31 AM

What are the chances that polymer frames can flex and a steel guide rod might bind where a plastic one won't?
Just a thought.

Martowski · January 25, 2017, 01:15 PM

I wouldn't think the guide rod would come into contact with the frame or be supported by it at all since it is held between the barrel and slide. But I could be off on this.

carguychris · January 27, 2017, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martowski

I wouldn't think the guide rod would come into contact with the frame or be supported by it at all since it is held between the barrel and slide. But I could be off on this.

Pardon delay in replying, hadn't had a chance to fish my 92S out of the safe and take it apart.

The guide rod doesn't remain in contact with the barrel lug; it bears on the takedown latch on rotation to the assembled position. In other words, the takedown latch interposes itself between the guide rod head and the barrel lug.

Since the takedown latch is in direct contact with the frame, it will transmit force directly from the guide rod to the frame.

January 24, 2017, 06:39 PM	#1
Targa Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2014 Posts: 2,084	M9 Beretta guide rod I picked up a M9 yesterday and I love the gun but man that cheap, flimsy guide rod is a borderline insult in cost cutting. I have already ordered a proper steel one that should have been used in the first place. Anyway I digress, has anyone kept that plastic insult long enough to see if there any adverse affects to it after a couple thousand rounds or so?

January 24, 2017, 07:18 PM	#2
DubC-Hicks Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2009 Location: Backwoods, Northern MI Posts: 1,031	Mine has been plastic for the whole time I've had it, for a few thousand rounds or so. Never had a problem with it. I believe military issue M9s have plastic guide rods as well. One issue I have heard about with switching to metal guide rods, is the rod bending when it gets hit or something. Plastic guide rods just flex and go right back to how they are supposed to be. __________________ ”Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars.” ~Unknown

January 24, 2017, 07:31 PM	#3
iraiam Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2012 Location: Lakewood, CO Posts: 1,057	I think the polymer guide rod is actually part of the "sand resistant" scheme of the pistol. A steel guide rod will work fine, but steel can get bent. I have several 92/M9 pistols, I have changed some of the guide rods to steel for aesthetic reasons, I have also used the polymer rod extensively without issues. __________________ NRA Lifetime Member Since 1999 "I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people except for a few public officials." George Mason

January 25, 2017, 12:54 AM	#6
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,971	Haven't heard any reports of problems with the plastic rods. The irony is that I have heard of the two-piece steel rods failing... __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

January 25, 2017, 08:32 AM	#8
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,623	My son has over 5000 round through his 92 with no guide rod problems. Rod __________________ Cherish our flag, honor it, defend it in word and deed, or get the hell out. Our Bill of Rights has been paid for by heros in uniform and shall not be diluted by misguided governmental social experiments. We owe this to our children, anything less is cowardice. USAF FAC, 5th Spl Forces, Vietnam Vet '69-'73.

January 24, 2017, 07:44 PM	#4
GeneS Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2000 Location: North Carolina, USA Posts: 190	Yeah, the plastic guide rod is actually the better one.

January 24, 2017, 07:55 PM	#5
Targa Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2014 Posts: 2,084	Ok everyone thank you, I will stick with the polymer and have the steel as a backup. I am just use to military issued M9's and they do have the steel rod. I knew the rods were plastic in the later offerings but when I took it a part and saw the thing I was pretty surprised at how.....well, flimsy it appeared. Sounds like it is good to go, thanks again.

January 25, 2017, 04:39 AM	#7
b.thomas Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Posts: 461	I started thinking about going the metal route with my Smith 910s. Was advised on here and another web site to stick with the plastic! five-six years later now and somewhere around two thousand rounds...........the plastic guide rod is still chugging along just fine. Just might go with metal some day when I need a too change the guide rod, but for now I'll stay with the plastic! As the old saying goes..............iffen she ain't broke, don't try to fix it!

January 25, 2017, 08:49 AM	#9
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	Military M9s have plastic guide rods now. They are every bit as good as the steel ones and offer some benefits. You do NOT need or even want a steel guide rod, trust me on this. It is not a "cost cutting measure" but one of performance. Stick with the plastic guide rod and buy ammo instead.

January 25, 2017, 10:15 AM	#11
Martowski Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2000 Location: Texas (By Way of Illinois) Posts: 1,376	Plastic rod here in my 92fs, no problems at all. Back in the 80's they said a plastic frame on a pistol would never work and look where we are now. __________________ Midwestern Ramblings (my amateur firearms blog): http://martowski.wordpress.com/

January 25, 2017, 10:31 AM	#12
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	What are the chances that polymer frames can flex and a steel guide rod might bind where a plastic one won't? Just a thought. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

January 25, 2017, 01:15 PM	#13
Martowski Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2000 Location: Texas (By Way of Illinois) Posts: 1,376	I wouldn't think the guide rod would come into contact with the frame or be supported by it at all since it is held between the barrel and slide. But I could be off on this. __________________ Midwestern Ramblings (my amateur firearms blog): http://martowski.wordpress.com/

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