Kel Tec P-32 6 penny spring guide

[Nauga]

I'm laughing at myself.
I was over on KTOG (Kel Tec Owners Group) checking out the Fluff n Buff info, when I saw a suggestion to replace the plastic spring guide when it gets bent. Well I noticed mine was bent, and I also noticed how much it looked like a 6 penny nail. One thing led to another and now I have a 6 penny spring guide.
I went out into the garage and looked through my collection of nails, screws, and general detritus and picked a couple of 6 pennies that seemed straight when I spun them between my fingers. Of the two, one had a sort of crooked head, but the other was pretty round and centered on the nail shaft.
I chucked the nail into my dremel tool and turned the head down to .246 inches on a whetstone to match the plastic guide end, then I cleaned up the tool marks on the shaft and head of the nail.
I took a strip of 400 grit sandpaper and looped it around the nail to polish it a little more, then I cut about a quarter inch off the end to make it the same length as the old guide rod. After smoothing and rounding the end of the nail, I cold blued it, and installed it in the little shooter. The shaft is a little smaller in diameter than the plastic one, but otherwise seems to work ok,
All that's left now is to go find a gully somewhere and try it out.
I entertain the heck out of myself sometimes.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Nails are pretty soft steel and have virtually no memory. Let us knwo how it works out.

If it doesn't, just call KT. They'll send you a new GR, propbably for free.

 

[heeler]

Well if it works then it would make a quick fix in a pinch.
Since I only have a couple of hundred rounds through my nifty little P32 I was wondering about how many rounds the original is good for.
Mine P32 has been perfect so far
Any answers appreciated.

 

[Nauga]

The original Kel Tec spring guide is made of flimsy plastic, so I don't think the soft steel will be an issue. After sleeping on it though, I think I'll take the shoulder off the bottom of the head so there's more of a 90 degree angle between the head and the shaft. I'm thinking the spring might get damaged being forced up the slightly cone shape on the bottom of the head.
As for how long the original lasts, I can't say. I traded an old computer for this gun and don't know how much it's been fired, although it was pretty clean when I disassembled it.
If it blows up on me, I'll have my widow post the results...

 

[rcmodel]

It's plastic on purpose, and never causes a problem.
Bent doesn't matter, because it's flexible Plastic.

See this:
http://www.1bad69.com/keltec/guiderod.htm

rc

 

[RedAlert]

Nauga, a couple of points. If you are concerned with the shaft diameter of the 6 penny nail being too small in diameter, then just choose a larger nail which has a shaft closer in diameter. You have already decided to polish the shank and turn down the head's diameter. If you decide to modify the contour under the head of the nail DO NOT make the mistake of making it a sharp 90 deg angle. A rounded fillet between the head and shank is much better and stronger. A 1/64th R fillet is fine while a sharp fillet is subject to cracking and failure.
Despite the success you have had with your nail replacement, I would suggest you replace the plastic guide rod with another plastic GR as designed. They are cheap, although not as cheap as the modified nail ;-)

 

[rcmodel]

Kel-Tec will send you a couple for free if you call service and ask them nice.

rc

 

[Nauga]

Good points fellas. I decided not to chance it. The old bent plastic guide rod is now back in the P-32.
The accelerated wear from a metal guide rod was in the back of my little pea brain all along. Thanks for the kicks that got it to float to the top. Even though I've got basically nothing in the thing, I'm getting attached to it. As much as I shoot it, I reckon I can live with a plastic guide rod.
Sometimes, you got to do things just for the fun of it.