Same here. :laugh:
I used to buy them for all new Glock. My preference was Wolff rods and spring. For some time now I go stock. i just don’t think there is any need to use aftermarket. That includes my Gen 4’s btw. Stock is fine. No issues with some of them having very high round counts and plenty of abuse.
I also no longer used extended slide release and don’t miss it at all. With the Gen 4’s the standard mag release is great. So I put sights on them and I’m done.
Just you and me Chris, we’re all alone out here.
I have seen the stock plastic guide rods break. However it was officers that installed them in wrong after they disassembled their pistol for cleaning. I think you would be better off buying a spare OEM and keeping it with gear if your worried. I do not know for sure but I have heard in other forum circles some believe the metal guide rods in Glocks can wear out other parts faster. I have no personal knowledge of this because I do not know anybody that likes the metal rods enough to run them, just my 2 cents.
How many times is this topic going to be covered? Don’t try to fix something that isn’t broken. All you need is night sights…:thank_you2:
This made me chuckle.
I’m not trying to fix any problems with my 23. I was just spending some quality time at work and came across the steel (and tungsten) guide rod/spring set ups & started noodleing through it.
Although I’ve shot/carried various handguns & long guns since '93, I don’t pretend to be an armorer or have all the answers. That’s why I like to bounce stuff off of you guys 
I’m also NOT trying to build a “race” gun out of a 23. It is in fact one of my duty guns and certainly don’t want to make it less reliable.
Thanks for the input gents!
How many times is this topic going to be covered? As many times as it takes. Since the search function hasn’t worked for ages, whenever someone comes here in good faith and asks a question I think there are plenty of decent folks who will be glad to help if they can. Others will take care of busting their chops and still others will just bitch. Just like the real world in a microcosm. That’s how we figure out who’s who and what they’re all about.
And a Vickers Mag Release. If you don’t have one of those, you are screwing yourself with sandpaper.
Search function works perfectly: https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=58243
C4
Doesn’t for me with 2 different browsers and hasn’t for months. Doesn’t always return a database error, but still doesn’t work after last weeks problems that obviously weren’t just me. Glad it works for you though.
I have read that competition shooters like the extra weight of the tungsten guide rod to help reduce muzzle flip.
I have used a stainless steel guide rod in my Glocks since the early 90’s, shot several thousand rounds through it, and never had any problems with it at all. My stuff is/was old though.
I do like the captured assemblies though. Some Glocks have them from the factory, others do not. I think they are easier to assemble and less chance of losing something if you had to disassemble/assemble in less than ideal circumstances.
As for the search function - it seems to be hit or miss for people, sometimes it works for me and other times it will not. You can use Google to search just this forum by using the advanced search and entering www.m4carbine.net. as the domain.
You didn’t read the thread I linked to. Use the Search button at the TOP of the screen (yellow colored one). It is powered by Google and NOT through the forums search tool.
It works 100% of the time every time.
C4
I have carried a Glock 22, 27, or 17 on duty, as backup, or off-duty and now as a CCW for the last 8 years.
The only part I have ever had break was the recoil spring assembly on the 22. The pistol remained completely functional and I didn’t even know the guide rod had failed until I field stripped it for cleaning.
My Dept Armorer dropped another assembly in it and I continued on about my business.
I have owned and tinkered/upgraded/modified many different pistols, but I tend to keep my Glocks pretty factory. I install a “butt” plug, and metal night sights, and leave everything else the hell alone.
I have been tempted to change out connectors and trigger springs, mag catches, and more in an effort to improve my gun, but in reality the gun runs so I guess it’s really to improve my shooting, but I actually shoot it pretty damn well. Heck, I even shot the 27 as well or better than my custom 1911.
The pistols run, and they are accurate. Not much else you can ask for as an upgrade.
I have never had a malfunction with any of my Glocks that was not ammo or idiot induced, therefore I have decided to spend whatever money I am tempted to spend on “upgrades” to my Glocks on ammo and range time instead. This makes ME a better shooter.
There are many here who shoot much more than I do and have much more experience with Glocks. This is simply my experience and observations.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do!
-RD62
Rest well knowing you are not alone.
There are others like us. We are hiding in the shadows…
J/K I’m a box stock kinda guy too. Factory metal night sights and a Pearce grip plug and I’m good to go.
OEM spring and rod.
and thanks for the search info.
I bought an ISMI SS job as soon as I bought my 19. Ran it like that for quite a long time with no issues. It screeches someone when I dry cycle the slide, but I don’t see a problem. After all, it is metal on metal.
I took it out almost a year ago though an replaced it with a factory unit when I started to carry it.
Its quieter… and cheap… and it works.
If it ever breaks, I have a good back up.
How do you install a guide rod assy incorrectly? You won’t be able to pull the slide back because of the size of the head at the end of the assy. In addition if it isn’t seated correctly you can’t even get it to seat down properly onto the barrel.
Just to make sure that I wasn’t on crack I tried it with both of my Glocks. 
I got tired of the Gen 4 recoil spring getting stuck in the guide rod hole when taking the pistol down.
Glockmeister fixed that.