Steel Guide Rod for S&W M&P Pistols
Fits Full Sized 9mm, 357 Sig & 40 S&W
Click Here To Purchase at CPWSA.com
Features:
Increased Mass Over OEM to Decrease Muzzle Rise
Improved CQB Reliability
Does Not Accelerate Recoil Spring Corrosion Like Stainless Steel
Description:
White Sound Defense steel guide rods for Smith & Wesson M&P pistols provide added mass, improved cycling, improved CQB reliability, and improved durability.
Adding mass to the front of the gun decreases muzzle rise. The reduced movement of the muzzle reduces the time it takes to recover from a shot and get back on target. Because the guide rod is located far forward of the center of rotation, it is one of the most effective places to add weight. The M&P already has a steel guide rod, so this effect is less pronounced than with pistols with lighter weight assemblies.
The additional mass also reduces the likelihood of ‘limp wrist’ induced malfunctions. This is especially a concern when operating the weapon while injured or when shooting with one hand. Because the guide rod does not move with the slide, the additional inertia of the rod acts as an anchor for the slide to pull against. This increases the reliability when the weapon is not gripped in an ideal manner.
The guide rod has been slightly extended past the muzzle of the weapon to reduce the likelihood of a malfunction if the muzzle is inadvertently pressed into an opponent in a CQB circumstance. The geometry of the rod has been designed to avoid interfering with any additional accessories such as suppressors.
Stainless steel guide rods encourage galvanic corrosion of the recoil spring. This problem is exacerbated because the guide rod is of much larger mass than the recoil spring. As such, using a material like stainless that encourages corrosion of the coupled spring is not recommend for field environments.
To manage environmental exposure White Sound Defense guide rods are made from 4340 alloy steel which is stronger and more corrosion resistant than plain carbon steel. The guide rods are then heat-treated, ferritic nitrocarburized, and then subjected to a post-nitriding oxidation treatment. This results in a guide rod that is as just as corrosion resistant as the rest of the rest of the firearm without causing increased corrosion in the recoil spring. An additional advantage of 4340 alloy steel is that it is more crack resistant than stainless steel.
These guide rods are produced as uncaptured to avoid the engineering compromises that must be made with captured guide rods. The first issue is that any screw type capture system increases the likelihood of a crack developing at the muzzle end of the guide rod. The second issue is that lug type retention requires the use of dead coils (closed ends) on the recoil springs. This takes up space that could be used for active coils. A captured design also makes replacing springs more difficult. However, a transverse hole was added to make assembly easier with gloves or when hands are cold. (See Video Links Below For Details)
Note: This rod will not be of benefit in muzzle contact discharges in models with barrels longer than 4.25”.
FAQ:
Q: Why does the guide rod (and sometimes the underside of the barrel) turn silver/grey when using White Sound Defense springs?
A: The rust preventative coating on the springs can rub onto surrounding surfaces giving them a grey/silver color. It is usually most noticeable on the guide rod. This is a bit like grease spreading from one surface to another and is not harmful.