So I got a hold of a rod of tungsten at work and thought I'd try making a guide rod for my P320-RX. It turned out pretty good. Our prototype shop is pretty light on lathe tooling and the tungsten was a pain in the to machine. There are a few chatter marks but I'm happy with how it turned out.

Nice. How does it shoot?

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:
Nice. How does it shoot?

Testing it out after work tonight, I'll let ya know.

Any idea on how much the rod weighs compared to a stock one?

quote:

Originally posted by WildSig:
Any idea on how much the rod weighs compared to a stock one?

It weighs a little over 3 ounces, I'm not sure what the stock one weighs.

quote:

Originally posted by isthatasiginyourpocket:

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:
Nice. How does it shoot?

Testing it out after work tonight, I'll let ya know.

Any plans on selling these in the future?

quote:

Originally posted by RichN:

quote:

Originally posted by isthatasiginyourpocket:

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:
Nice. How does it shoot?

Testing it out after work tonight, I'll let ya know.

Any plans on selling these in the future?

I'd like to see how this one holds up first. I may be able to do a small run if there is enough interest. The bar stock is $120 a foot so these things are not going to be cheap.

A WC bit in the lathe?

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:
A WC bit in the lathe?

We have mostly cemented carbide lathes tooling and most of it has been reground by the machinists. Tungsten is gummy and kinda like a cross between cast iron and stainless IMO. Really sharp carbide seems to work the best. We have a new CNC lathe with a bunch of tooling, I just have to sweet talk our guy into programming and setting this up for me. Since I hired him it probably won't take more than a 6-pack.

I have the Springer Precision and the Grayguns versions.

The Springer Precision rod comes in at 1.30 ounces.

The Grayguns rod comes in at 1.50 ounces.

I would have never guessed tungsten would be that much heavier. Now the only question is; can a guy feel that difference or will it make much of a difference.

Why do we change the stock one anyway?

The tungsten rod is easily twice as heavy as the Springer Precision rod. The extra mass should help with muzzle climb during recoil, I'm still new to this but I could tell the stainless rod made a small difference.

quote:

Originally posted by 454gun:
Why do we change the stock one anyway?

Because we can.

In all seriousness by going to a full length guide rod you can utilize a 1911 recoil spring tailor the weight of the spring to the load you are running in the gun.

The stock spring configuration is really over sprung and getting replacement springs or even that complete system is nearly impossible at this time.

I bought a tungsten guide rod for my P229/9 here in the classifieds years ago. I like it, helps keep the muzzle down. Don't recall what I paid. Let us know how you like yours.

quote:

Originally posted by WildSig:
I have the Springer Precision and the Grayguns versions.

The Springer Precision rod comes in at 1.30 ounces.

The Grayguns rod comes in at 1.50 ounces.

I would have never guessed tungsten would be that much heavier. Now the only question is; can a guy feel that difference or will it make much of a difference.

Yes, it will make that much of a difference. If is fine for general use, or even USPA, but if you compete in IDPA, tungsten guide rods are a no-no.