Recoil guide rod issue

[WCSting]

I have a new SP-01 Shadow and after only 3 weeks and about 1,300 rounds the flange end of the guide rod is all chewed up. Is this normal? It looks like it is getting worse after every shoot and I am getting concerned.

[WCSting]

another picture

[WCSting]

Has no one had this happen? I heard from David at CGW and he said he had seen several CZ Custom SP-01's that had this issue but had not really figured out what was causing it - possibly too low a recoil spring. Any suggestions would be helpful. It gets worse with every use.

[Leo]

This is common in both my shadows.  I have not seen or heard of any cures for this but haven't worried too much since both guns run reliably.  It looks terrible but has never caused any malfunctions.

[WCSting]

I got a response from Rob at CZ Custom - "That seems to happen to one out of 100 guns. We don’t understand why but it happens. We generally buff the guide rod out when it happens. Doesn’t seem to affect the pistols at all actually."
[/size]
[/size]Interesting. It definitely hasn't affected performance - just is a concern. Thanks for the response Leo. At least I feel like someone else here has the same issue and it isn't a major worry.

[Leo]

Interesting that they say it happens to 1 out of 100 guns. Every shadow (mine and friends) have guide rods that look like this. Interestingly enough, my CTS' do not show this same kind of "wear".

[WCSting]

David at CGW said he has seen is "quite often". Not sure what that means, but his immediate response to me was what recoil spring is in the gun. Its a factory spring, and its a Shadow as well. [size=78%] [/size]

[Leo]

Did he say if running a heavier or lighter recoil spring helps/reduces the wear?  I know of some guys that run the plastic guide rods and change them out as they wear. Adding the guide rod to their consumable parts list to change periodically.

[WCSting]

I spoke with him today and he recommended to use the polymer guide rod. Because of its lighter weight, it will resist bouncing against the battery and the spring will keep it seated successfully.

[Dvrdwn72]

Stuart at czc said it's normal. I've got several thousand rounds through mine without any issues.

[Orlandochuck]

Is anyone lubricating the spring and guide rod?

[chfields]

Is anyone lubricating the spring and guide rod?

I Lube both on my pistols....

[Kolholznik]

Maybe a dumb question but is your guide rod aluminum or stainless steel?  I replaced the polymer guide rod in my P-01 with a stainless steel guide rod shortly after purchasing it.  1500+ rounds thru it now and the same area on mine shows no visible signs of wear.  I always keep the guide rod and spring lightly lubed.

[WCSting]

Guide rod is Stainless. So, I think I have found a solution. I polished and machined the guide rod back to as new condition so I could monitor it wear going forward, and then I replaced the recoil spring with a 14#, and have now shot about 700 rounds through it in the last 3 weeks. Looks perfect. Pretty much NO difference in recoil action is all I feel, but then I am a crappy shooter.