Echelon 4.0C Guide Rod/Spring Upgrade

[Cj008rwb]

So I am about to do some upgrades to the Echelon 4.0c with comp. I am wanting to change out the guide rod/spring. I have been seeing little/mixed reviews on what brand to purchase. From what I’ve seen and could be wrong but the top three are Rook Precision, NDZ, and Apex. (Rook Precision is currently out of the one I would get if I were to order from them) but anyone here have any of these ones or have tested different ones? Any recommendations?

 

[xdman]

So maybe it would help to tell us what your goals for the upgrades are?

 

[Cj008rwb]

So maybe it would help to tell us what your goals for the upgrades are?

Well the upgrades vary, just looking to make overall improvements, such as recoil management, improving trigger pull, etc. This is my CCW but I also take it to the range a fair amount. Currently awaiting the Sharps Bros Grip Module. Also have put the Vortex Defender ST red dot for my optic.

 

[ex13F]

I replaced the polymer guide rod on my 4.5 with the one from NDZ. Just don't care for polymer guide rods, no other reason.

 

[NMEDGE]

I'm not a fan of changing anything on a newly purchased firearm.

 

[Annihilator]

I'm not a fan of changing anything on a newly purchased firearm.

Especially on a carry gun……

 

[Biggfoot44]

What do you feel is wrong/ deficient with current rod & spring ?

 

[Talyn]

I'm not a fan of changing anything on a newly purchased firearm.

There are aftermarket upgrade parts that are better than what the OEMs are on various platforms.

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

So I am about to do some upgrades to the Echelon 4.0c with comp. I am wanting to change out the guide rod/spring. I have been seeing little/mixed reviews on what brand to purchase. From what I’ve seen and could be wrong but the top three are Rook Precision, NDZ, and Apex. (Rook Precision is currently out of the one I would get if I were to order from them) but anyone here have any of these ones or have tested different ones? Any recommendations?

I'm pretty sure I've already welcomed you to the forum, so I'll just say "Howdy" and offer you a few thoughts from this old noob.

I get the attraction of aftermarket parts. I have replaced a recoil spring to "smooth out" the action on one of my 1911s. I've replaced another stock guide rod and recoil spring with a captured system because it made the gun easier to maintain. I dig that you can add a little color to a scary black pistol. It's all fun and can be advantageous.

A guide rod that screws together to capture the recoil spring concerns me just a little. I would want to check that aparatus every time I cleaned the gun just to make sure it's not coming apart. You wouldn't want that to happen at the wrong time on an EDC unit.

I like the idea of a full length guide rod to keep a spring from binding, add a little heft to the unit, and lessen the recoil and muzzle flip a little. I like the idea of replacing a polymer guide rod with a solid metal piece. But like @NMEDGE and @Annihilator, I want to shoot the "new" off of a gun before I start making any changes. That way you start with a known, good baseline. Then change one part at a time, test further. Everything OK? Change another part and make sure everything is functional. Test again.

I have an Echelon 4.5F Comp. The only thing I've done to it so far is add a Holosun optic. I'll probably put another 200-300 rounds through it before I make any more changes. I have another Echelon 5.28" Threaded barrel on the way. I'll probably end up replacing the polymer guide rods in both, but not until they are quite broken in. I'm thinking I'd like to use these for competition and it might help my meager skills. But probably not. There's no help for me.

I like NDZ's color choices. The Apex seems solid. Rook is very fancy with their logos on the end caps. I think I'd be happy with any of those. A magwell addition might be advantageous in competition. Is it really necessay for an EDC self-defense unit? You decide. A brightly colored panel on the back of the slide might get a few "oohs and aahs" at the range. A little cosmetic enhancement might be fun. But again, is it a range toy or a "working" EDC pistol?

I'm fairly practical, but I like to have a little fun too. Just consider upgrades carefully. Are they functional or just for show? You certainly don't want to do anything to affect reliability. Be sure to test thoroughly.

OK. Wow. That was a lot of words just to say, "Do what you want, but be careful." Let us know what you end up with.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[Cj008rwb]

Hi,



I'm pretty sure I've already welcomed you to the forum, so I'll just say "Howdy" and offer you a few thoughts from this old noob.

I get the attraction of aftermarket parts. I have replaced a recoil spring to "smooth out" the action on one of my 1911s. I've replaced another stock guide rod and recoil spring with a captured system because it made the gun easier to maintain. I dig that you can add a little color to a scary black pistol. It's all fun and can be advantageous.

A guide rod that screws together to capture the recoil spring concerns me just a little. I would want to check that aparatus every time I cleaned the gun just to make sure it's not coming apart. You wouldn't want that to happen at the wrong time on an EDC unit.

I like the idea of a full length guide rod to keep a spring from binding, add a little heft to the unit, and lessen the recoil and muzzle flip a little. I like the idea of replacing a polymer guide rod with a solid metal piece. But like @NMEDGE and @Annihilator, I want to shoot the "new" off of a gun before I start making any changes. That way you start with a known, good baseline. Then change one part at a time, test further. Everything OK? Change another part and make sure everything is functional. Test again.

I have an Echelon 4.5F Comp. The only thing I've done to it so far is add a Holosun optic. I'll probably put another 200-300 rounds through it before I make any more changes. I have another Echelon 5.28" Threaded barrel on the way. I'll probably end up replacing the polymer guide rods in both, but not until they are quite broken in. I'm thinking I'd like to use these for competition and it might help my meager skills. But probably not. There's no help for me.

I like NDZ's color choices. The Apex seems solid. Rook is very fancy with their logos on the end caps. I think I'd be happy with any of those. A magwell addition might be advantageous in competition. Is it really necessay for an EDC self-defense unit? You decide. A brightly colored panel on the back of the slide might get a few "oohs and aahs" at the range. A little cosmetic enhancement might be fun. But again, is it a range toy or a "working" EDC pistol?

I'm fairly practical, but I like to have a little fun too. Just consider upgrades carefully. Are they functional or just for show? You certainly don't want to do anything to affect reliability. Be sure to test thoroughly.

OK. Wow. That was a lot of words just to say, "Do what you want, but be careful." Let us know what you end up with.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

In a short story that might not be short. I am slowly stepping into the world of tinkering/ upgrading around with firearms. I spend a decent amount of time at the range and specifically with the echelon have probably sent through close to a thousand or over a thousand rounds. And for now this is my CCW as it is one of the few pistols that I have. But I more enjoy precision/casual shooting (Not competition just myself constantly trying to improve on marksmanship with my firearms. Started out with Remington Sportsman 78 (Basically just a Remington 700 same platform)30-06. Replaced stock, added mag well, new scope, and currently on the way a timney trigger. Some background info, I do very rigorous research on any part I plan on replacing/upgrading or thinking about such as functionality/purpose, compatibility, peer reviews, etc. Such as this question on guide rod and spring. Through my earlier research, the guide rod helps mitigate NOT reduce recoil and can help improve follow up shots for several reasons and the spring replacement helps depending on the type of ammo you plan on using (Example if you are shooting a round such as the Sig Plus P rounds it may be advantageous to go with a heavier spring.) Now I could be completely wrong, and again this is through what research I have done, but also this is why I go to forms to ask people who may have more knowledge on the subject or have done these replacements or upgrades on and what their findings were.

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

In a short story that might not be short. I am slowly stepping into the world of tinkering/ upgrading around with firearms. I spend a decent amount of time at the range and specifically with the echelon have probably sent through close to a thousand or over a thousand rounds. And for now this is my CCW as it is one of the few pistols that I have. But I more enjoy precision/casual shooting (Not competition just myself constantly trying to improve on marksmanship with my firearms. Started out with Remington Sportsman 78 (Basically just a Remington 700 same platform)30-06. Replaced stock, added mag well, new scope, and currently on the way a timney trigger. Some background info, I do very rigorous research on any part I plan on replacing/upgrading or thinking about such as functionality/purpose, compatibility, peer reviews, etc. Such as this question on guide rod and spring. Through my earlier research, the guide rod helps mitigate NOT reduce recoil and can help improve follow up shots for several reasons and the spring replacement helps depending on the type of ammo you plan on using (Example if you are shooting a round such as the Sig Plus P rounds it may be advantageous to go with a heavier spring.) Now I could be completely wrong, and again this is through what research I have done, but also this is why I go to forms to ask people who may have more knowledge on the subject or have done these replacements or upgrades on and what their findings were.

Good stuff. It seems you are quite familiar with your Echelon and know your way around, researching parts, tinkering, etc. I apologize for any "profound glimpse into the obvious" on my part. I have no direct experience with NDZ or Apex parts but I think that will change soon.

I've got a whole list of stuff to do, extended slide releases and mag releases for a couple of my 1911s, replacing polymer guide rods in a few semi-autos, etc. I do a little "bubbasmithing" and take my time so's I don't muck anything up.

In my limited experience, the heavier recoil spring I installed in my Ronin really smoothed out the performance. It doesn't "slam" back when firing. In my little Walther, the captured metal guiderod and spring gave the gun a little more heft, just to soak up a little more recoil, and made disassembly and reassembly easier. I have no way to quantify my observations. These little modifications just seem to work better for me. Ya know? I'm also looking into trigger upgrades for one or two of my XD pistols, more sight upgrades, etc. It's all fun and sometimes it helps me shoot better. Wishing you all the best.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[Pitdogg2]

There are aftermarket upgrade parts that are better than what the OEMs are on various platforms.

Absolutely!!

 

[Annihilator]

To me personally, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, unless it’s for competition, working around law enforcement and the legal system, I learned years ago not to do any mods to your CCW gun, just me….

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

To me personally, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, unless it’s for competition, working around law enforcement and the legal system, I learned years ago not to do any mods to your CCW gun, just me….

I have two "main" EDC units. The only thing I've done to them are sights. Neither have polymer guide rods, from the factory. I tinker a little more with my range toys and "competition" units. For the most part I agree with IIABDFI.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[hworth18]

I use the Apex Stainless Steel guide rod in my Echelons. I like that it uses the factory spring, so the spring rate doesn't change, but it adds a slight bit of weight and adds reliability to the guide rod.