The handgun guide rod enhances the quality of shooting by making the gun safer, and more ergonomic, it also fulfills several other roles:

• One of the main functions of the guide rod is to prevent the binding of the recoil spring, enhancing the safety of the shooter’s grip on the weapon.

• The guide rod adds extra weight to the muzzle, making the slide – and with it, the entire handgun – heavier, allowing the shooter to control the muzzle flip much better. The recoil energy that moves the slide can be changed by modifying the mass of the gun, possibly making the shooting more accurate, by allowing the shooter to get back on the target faster.

• The guide rod reduces the strength of the smack caused by the gun on the shooter’s hand, making the shooting more comfortable, safer, and easier.

Handgun guide rods are available in different material versions:

• Plastic – Most guns come out from the factory with a stock plastic handgun guide rod. Most handguns function perfectly with the original part, but some users like to replace the original guide rod with an aftermarket part, usually one made of steel, stainless steel, or tungsten.

• Metal – Most aftermarket guide rods are made of steel or stainless steel. These captive or non-captive rods feature round or flat springs and they are more solid than plastic rods, so they can equalize muzzle climb more efficiently.

• Tungsten – the physical properties of tungsten, such as its extremely high tensile strength, heavy weight, and higher density, make it an excellent material for guide rods, and more durable than any other material. The best tungsten rods are made of copper-tungsten alloy, allowing the user to benefit from the properties of both metals, making the guide rod less brittle.