Steve Bedair Guide Rods

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meanmrmustard

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Found his site, guiderods.com, looking for a SS rod for my Cold War Commemorative CZ75B. Looks like he makes good products. My question is, does anyone have experience with this guy, and am I wasting my time and money ($25) in getting a stainless rod to replace the plastic one? Thanks fellas!
 
The plastic rods in my cZs have never been a problem. I have read on another forum where someone replaced a plastic rod with a steel one and it battered the pistol. It may have been out of spec but I don' know. Check the other forum as there are a number of old posts on this topic.
 
I have one in my 75B (and Beretta 92FS Inox). Both have been great so far.

One thing to keep in mind, as the first reply says, do not put one in if you have a model with a aluminum frame. The steel rods will destroy them over time.

In the all steel pistols though they're fine, in fact you use to be able to get steel rods from CZ directly.
 
I can't really comment on plastic vs. metal guiderods. But of all the reading I have done about metal guide rods, Bedair is perhaps the most well known producer, and has a great reputation for quality and service.
 
Well that's certainly a two-part question.

Do I think you are wasting money on a steel guide rod to replace plastic in your CZ?

Yes, from a functionality standpoint. The plastic (I think it's Delrin) rods work perfectly and last a very long time.

No, from an aesthetics and pride of ownership view. You've got a commemorative edition of a very classy all-steel pistol. The stainless guide rod will work beautifully and will add to the feeling of quality while inspecting the gun.

As far as Steve Bedair goes, the man is an excellent member of the goods/services in return for money crowd. I needed a replacement guiderod for my Kadet because I'm an idiot and a light plastic rod can go some distance with even a weak rimfire recoil spring.

I mentioned that I was using it on a PCR frame when I was ordering, and he included a 'blemished' centerfire compact guiderod he had. The muzzle end of the rod wasn't completely even, it appeared he accidentally ground it on an angle. It worked perfectly and looked great, I originally thought he made a mistake and sent me the wrong rod.

So the man has great prices, I think $25 for a handmade stainless rod is pretty damn good. He's got outstanding customer service, and I would advise any friend of mine looking to add a stainless rod or pick up a spare to buy from him. And his rods function perfectly. So does stock CZ, but his are way prettier and I don't mind an extra couple of ounces on the muzzle end of a metal-framed pistol.
 
I agree with NG VI.

The Bedair rods are made very well. I installed one on a Sig P226 elite for a touch of added weight and aesthetics. I would not concern myself with damage to an aluminum frame from a stainless rod. Sig's come with a metal guide rod like many other manufacturers. Switching to stainless won't hurt anything. The batter some people have problems with is typically due to worn out recoil springs not being replaced according to manufacturers schedule. From my experience I will continue to purchase Bedair products.
 
DO concern yourself about steel guide rod damage to alloy-framed CZs and, maybe, other guns. It will, of course, depend on the specific gun and alloy used.

CZ has warned against their use in their alloy-framed compacts, and has seen damage to the frames from their use. They warn against steel guide rods in their alloy-framed guns, and say that such damage will NOT* be covered under warranty. (They will not sell you a steel guide rod if you tell them it's for alloy compact; they will sell them for steel-framed guns.)

Because the compact CZs have full-length guide rods that extend through the slide, I'd expect to see some wear on the slide opening up front, eventually -- seeing as how the compact plastic guide rods bend with use.

Steel guide rods with a steel frame should NOT be an issue. They look better, but they won't improve performance.

____
*key word omitted the first time I hit the "SAVE" button.
 
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Sorry, it is guiderod.com. :)

My Cz is full size, steel frame. No alloy. Will it hurt my frame to use Steves product?
 
CZs ORIGINALLY came with steel guide rods. There should be no problems if you have a steel-framed gun.

Folks sometimes make their own guide rods using the pin from a brass Stanley hinge, cut to the proper length and polished on the ends. (This is true for the standard CZ-75B, and the .40s, which have full-length guide rods...)
 
I bought a guide rod for a Colt Government .380 from Steve. It was very well made and shipped promptly. I would not hesitate to buy from him again.
 
NG VI said:
Well that's certainly a two-part question.

Do I think you are wasting money on a steel guide rod to replace plastic in your CZ?

Yes, from a functionality standpoint. The plastic (I think it's Delrin) rods work perfectly and last a very long time.

No, from an aesthetics and pride of ownership view. You've got a commemorative edition of a very classy all-steel pistol. The stainless guide rod will work beautifully and will add to the feeling of quality while inspecting the gun.

As far as Steve Bedair goes, the man is an excellent member of the goods/services in return for money crowd. I needed a replacement guiderod for my Kadet because I'm an idiot and a light plastic rod can go some distance with even a weak rimfire recoil spring.

I mentioned that I was using it on a PCR frame when I was ordering, and he included a 'blemished' centerfire compact guiderod he had. The muzzle end of the rod wasn't completely even, it appeared he accidentally ground it on an angle. It worked perfectly and looked great, I originally thought he made a mistake and sent me the wrong rod.

So the man has great prices, I think $25 for a handmade stainless rod is pretty damn good. He's got outstanding customer service, and I would advise any friend of mine looking to add a stainless rod or pick up a spare to buy from him. And his rods function perfectly. So does stock CZ, but his are way prettier and I don't mind an extra couple of ounces on the muzzle end of a metal-framed pistol.
Click to expand...
This is very useful info, and I thank you all!
 
NG VI said:
I mentioned that I was using it on a PCR frame when I was ordering, and he included a 'blemished' centerfire compact guiderod he had. The muzzle end of the rod wasn't completely even, it appeared he accidentally ground it on an angle. It worked perfectly and looked great, I originally thought he made a mistake and sent me the wrong rod.
Click to expand...

I missed your statement that you were using your steel guide rod in a PCR when I first read this response.

Keep an eye on the receiver stop -- the place were the base of the guide rod rests when the slide moves back. THAT is the spot CZ has noticed serious wear on their alloy-framed guns.

Lots of folks have been using steel guide rods in alloy-framed CZs and have noticed no problems. I suspect its a matter of concern only for guns that have a high round count while using the "harder" guide rods. If you don't put thousands of rounds through your gun, you may never have an issue.
 
I have wondered how this would do in my SP2022. My plan is to make my own instead of spend that kind of cash in something my may not want/need.
 
It's probably cheaper to buy a rod from him than make it yourself, counting your time at minimum wage. And almost certainly a more consistent end result.
 
I've bought rods from Steve for my Sigs to replace the factory rods they came with. Never had any trouble with them or ordering from Steve. Very good guy to deal with and i like the looks of them too....
 
I purchased a stainless steel guide rod for my P01 and have shot about 200 rounds through it with no signs of wear on the alloy frame.
After 50 rounds I checked it and continued.
No problems as of 200 rounds.
 
No problems as of 200 rounds.
Click to expand...

Way too early to see problems, yet. You may NEVER see problems with modest usage.

Check it every several hundred rounds. You might see some wear on the frame opening where the guide rod extends, too -- so watch there. (That would be cosmetic wear, and unlikely to affect function.)
 
I don't think I knew that a steel rod with the alloy framed CZs was a possible issue. Low use gun though, but I'll have to tell the guy I sold it to that the delrin rod is a better choice if he'll be shooting a ton.
 
I mentioned this before: some guys have made their own guide rods out of brass hinge pins (Stanley hinges). They look better than plastic and are softer than the frame. That is an option for others.... And polished, they can look pretty good, too.
 
I have made 3 guide rods so far. All out of hardened steel motorcycle axles that were scrapped on wrecked bikes. One was for a glock 21, and the other two were for 1911's. The work great. Just saying............. don't be scared
 
I mentioned this before: some guys have made their own guide rods out of brass hinge pins (Stanley hinges). They look better than plastic and are softer than the frame. That is an option for others.... And polished, they can look pretty good, too.
Click to expand...
This was the advice that I got from Walt and others on the CZ forum, seems a decade ago now. It works well, and is relatively easy to do so long as you have access to a drill press.
 
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