Another guide rod/spring review - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

lamaman · 08-08-2004, 12:38 PM

A month ago I purchased the 22# spring and rod kit from xd-gear.com for my 4" XD-40. Promptly shipped, no problems in arrival. I'm posting because my experience with the modification was other than what I expected.

It installed easily, though required more effort to compress the 22# spring and rod into position. Not a problem.

At the range: first few shots, I eagerly anticipated at least a noticeable difference. Hm, nothing (?). *Just noticeable* would be the best way to put it... maybe a bit less of a snap quality to the recoil, but still as strong. My wife and oldest daughter fired it too. I did not tell them I'd changed the spring, and afterwards asked if they noticed any difference in felt recoil. Neither said they did.

I tried a few more shots with a deliberately firm(er) grip and noticed the muzzle flip was more controllable; I seemed to be back on target more quickly. Still very subtle.

As for racking the slide, definitely more effort is required. At this time I carry with magazine in and loaded but without a round in the chamber, so racking the slide is part of my draw. With the stiffer spring, after some test draws I decided the chance was too great that I'd not be able to chamber that first round in a high stress situation. So the stock spring/rod is back.

Going to the range today and might switch back and forth once more between springs... will post again if I change my mind.

Don · 08-08-2004, 02:34 PM

Some people indicate a big perceived difference and others not at all. It may be with your grip and shooting style that you will not notice a difference. The heavier spring spreads the recoil out over a longer period of time, but can't make it go away.
Let us know what you think after a second round of trials (and it's ok to not like it too).

Brander · 09-03-2004, 05:18 PM

I purchased a 22# spring and stainless steel guide rod from xd-gear. I went to the range and alternated the 22# spring and the stock spring back and forth. I definitely noticed a 'gentler' recoil with the 22# spring. Althugh not like night vs day, there is a definite difference, and I leaving the 22# spring in my gun.

Gameface · 09-04-2004, 08:41 PM

I'm not sure what people are expecting. The spring doesn't take powder or power out of the round; it spreads the recoil over a greater amount of time. Even then we're talking thousandth’s of a second. It isn’t going to make a .40 feel like a 9mm.

I have a 24# spring and Don’s guide rod. To me, the fact that I CAN NOTICE a difference means that there is a significant difference. Like said above, it isn’t night and day, but think about the speed at which things are happening and the fact that no matter what spring you use the same amount of force is being delivered to your hand. You are noticing a difference (however small) in a process that happens faster than you can see and involves quite a bit of force and a small explosion. I’ll say again, the fact that any difference is noticeable means that there is a significant difference. You said yourself that flip was reduced and you could reacquire your target more quickly. That’s no small deal IMHO.

I’d give up on the racking the slide draw. That’ll leave more room for error no matter what spring you use. If you’re not comfortable with the safety features of the XD then I think you’d be better off carrying chambered with a gun that has a manual safety—again IMHO.

87-51 · 09-20-2004, 05:14 PM

I installed a Don's guide rod with a 22# spring in my XD 40 a couple of months ago. At first, I could notice quite a difference. After shooting several rounds with it installed now, I must have gotten used to the heavier spring, because it doesn't seem noticable. I imagine if I went back to the factory setup I could tell the difference. All in all, I am quite satisfied with the setup. The pistol is very controllable now. Great job Don.

08-08-2004, 12:38 PM	#1
lamaman XDTalk Newbie Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1	Another guide rod/spring review A month ago I purchased the 22# spring and rod kit from xd-gear.com for my 4" XD-40. Promptly shipped, no problems in arrival. I'm posting because my experience with the modification was other than what I expected. It installed easily, though required more effort to compress the 22# spring and rod into position. Not a problem. At the range: first few shots, I eagerly anticipated at least a noticeable difference. Hm, nothing (?). Just noticeable would be the best way to put it... maybe a bit less of a snap quality to the recoil, but still as strong. My wife and oldest daughter fired it too. I did not tell them I'd changed the spring, and afterwards asked if they noticed any difference in felt recoil. Neither said they did. I tried a few more shots with a deliberately firm(er) grip and noticed the muzzle flip was more controllable; I seemed to be back on target more quickly. Still very subtle. As for racking the slide, definitely more effort is required. At this time I carry with magazine in and loaded but without a round in the chamber, so racking the slide is part of my draw. With the stiffer spring, after some test draws I decided the chance was too great that I'd not be able to chamber that first round in a high stress situation. So the stock spring/rod is back. Going to the range today and might switch back and forth once more between springs... will post again if I change my mind.

08-08-2004, 02:34 PM	#2
Don XDTalk 4K Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Pullman, WA Posts: 4,267	Some people indicate a big perceived difference and others not at all. It may be with your grip and shooting style that you will not notice a difference. The heavier spring spreads the recoil out over a longer period of time, but can't make it go away. Let us know what you think after a second round of trials (and it's ok to not like it too). __________________ Don geek with guns Why don\'t you all f-f-f-fade away.... FAQ - Don\'s Guide Rod

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09-03-2004, 05:18 PM	#3
Brander XDTalk Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 63	I purchased a 22# spring and stainless steel guide rod from xd-gear. I went to the range and alternated the 22# spring and the stock spring back and forth. I definitely noticed a 'gentler' recoil with the 22# spring. Althugh not like night vs day, there is a definite difference, and I leaving the 22# spring in my gun.

09-04-2004, 08:41 PM	#4
Gameface XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: USS Nimitz Posts: 2	I'm not sure what people are expecting. The spring doesn't take powder or power out of the round; it spreads the recoil over a greater amount of time. Even then we're talking thousandth’s of a second. It isn’t going to make a .40 feel like a 9mm. I have a 24# spring and Don’s guide rod. To me, the fact that I CAN NOTICE a difference means that there is a significant difference. Like said above, it isn’t night and day, but think about the speed at which things are happening and the fact that no matter what spring you use the same amount of force is being delivered to your hand. You are noticing a difference (however small) in a process that happens faster than you can see and involves quite a bit of force and a small explosion. I’ll say again, the fact that any difference is noticeable means that there is a significant difference. You said yourself that flip was reduced and you could reacquire your target more quickly. That’s no small deal IMHO. I’d give up on the racking the slide draw. That’ll leave more room for error no matter what spring you use. If you’re not comfortable with the safety features of the XD then I think you’d be better off carrying chambered with a gun that has a manual safety—again IMHO.

09-20-2004, 05:14 PM	#5
87-51 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Iowa Posts: 267	I installed a Don's guide rod with a 22# spring in my XD 40 a couple of months ago. At first, I could notice quite a difference. After shooting several rounds with it installed now, I must have gotten used to the heavier spring, because it doesn't seem noticable. I imagine if I went back to the factory setup I could tell the difference. All in all, I am quite satisfied with the setup. The pistol is very controllable now. Great job Don.