Colt Government 380 guide rod

Watch your frame for battering.

I believe the plastic guide rod head acts as a recoil buffer between the alloy frame & steel slide.

rc

I made one of those a long time ago.

Then made a full length guide rod just for yuks.

Good job.

For such a basic and inexpensive part, why on earth would they resort to plastic? That's corner-cutting at its worst, especially on a core action part. What's next, plastic sears?

Don't know about plastic sears, but the trigger IS plastic.

why on earth would they resort to plastic?

Click to expand...

Lots of compact guns use plastic guide rods so they can flex if necessary to allow operation in the confinded space available.

Here is an interesting read on one such gun.
http://www.1bad69.com/keltec/guiderod.htm

Besides that, it is self lubricating where the spring slides over it, and doesn't collect dirt.

rc

I don't know either, but probably cost savings of a few cents a gun.
Or weight savings of 1/4 ounce?

I'm just playing devils advocate with you anyway!

rc