re: Glock tungsten stainless steel guide rod and recoil spring

I have tungsten guide rods in my carry Glocks. They do their job very well -- but their job is not to reduce "recoil" (at least not in the sense that most think of recoil).

The tungsten guide rod is heavier than the factory guide rod. It's purpose is to reduce muzzle flip and allow you to get the sights back on target more quickly for follow-up shots. They work so well that they are not allowed in IDPA competition.

So yes, they do reduce the "recoil impulse" that manifests itself as muzzle flip. But if the shooter is having issues with the force of the gun pushing back into the web of her hand, it's not gonna change that much (if any).