New Stainless Steel Guide Rod Problem - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

rudy64 · 07-10-2008, 09:48 PM

Now that I use Don's Stainless Guide Rod for my new XDm, I notice that it is hard to disassemble. The slide will not come off the gun without using considerable force. It's not a huge problem, but I'm worried that it might cause some premature wear on the gun. Has anyone else had this problem? The slide comes off easily with the standard guide rod.

rudy64 · 07-10-2008, 10:03 PM

Well, I just saw the post from another XDm member with the same problem. Has there been any developments Don?

Don · 07-11-2008, 09:59 PM

Nothing yet.
I am listening and seeing if I can figure what is happening. All that I can visualize is the head binding in the locking block, but this seems like a stretch from what I measured.
One user has over a thousand rounds with no problems and no take-down issies, so what is happening is right at the edge of dimensional tolerances and can be worked out. When I come up with a fix I can correct the rods out there so no worries about having an early product.
Since it does not hurt the operation of the pistol during firing, use it with impunity and I'll follow up on what is happening.

Frogman77 · 07-17-2008, 01:36 AM

I just got my don's guide rod. I haven't had any trouble with dissassembly or reassembly...not yet at least

CHA-LEE · 07-31-2008, 09:09 PM

Round the back edge of the guide rod flange so it is able to sit lower down againt the barrel. This should give it enough clearance to disassemble properly.

rudy64 · 08-29-2008, 04:54 PM

Thanks. I'll try.

dbfxdm · 10-23-2008, 10:26 PM

I just received a DRG for my XDm as well. I'm having the same problem although I have found that I can push the slid past the binding point with my thumb. It requires quite a bit of pressure but it will slide forward and off. No issue with the factory rod.

I measured the diameter of the rear lip (flange) on the DRG with a digital micrometer. The DRG measured .509 inches and the factory rod measured .502 inches.

It seems that 7 thousanths of an inch is enough to cause this interference. It appears that it is catching on the little "hump" underneath and just forward of the shaft on the Disassembly Lever. I'm not absolutely sure about this but based upon the position of the slide when the interference occurs and the location of the rod, this seems to be it.

In any case, it isn't really a problem, the gun will come apart. I just have to apply some force to get the slide off.

jonny4523 · 10-23-2008, 10:29 PM

I know with my non-XDms, I once had an issue similar to what you are describing. Turns out that I didn't have the rod centered on the barrel ledge (for lack of a better term). When the slide went forward, it caught and stopped it. Ever since then, I make sure to center it and I haven't had it happen since.

No clue if this is your issue or not, but I figured it couldn't hurt to offer it.

Don · 10-24-2008, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbfxdm

I just received a DRG for my XDm as well. I'm having the same problem although I have found that I can push the slid past the binding point with my thumb. It requires quite a bit of pressure but it will slide forward and off. No issue with the factory rod.

I measured the diameter of the rear lip (flange) on the DRG with a digital micrometer. The DRG measured .509 inches and the factory rod measured .502 inches.

It seems that 7 thousanths of an inch is enough to cause this interference. It appears that it is catching on the little "hump" underneath and just forward of the shaft on the Disassembly Lever. I'm not absolutely sure about this but based upon the position of the slide when the interference occurs and the location of the rod, this seems to be it.

In any case, it isn't really a problem, the gun will come apart. I just have to apply some force to get the slide off.

Ah, this sounds like part of what is going on. I also had been leaving the edge of the head flat, while the factory rod has a chamfer. On old pistols the cut on the lugs under the barrel had a sharp 90° corner and the rod could rest there. The cut now has a radius and I think my rod rides up on the radius. It is not resting there when in use, but when are taking it down it could ride up.
You can try putting a chamfer on the edge, or mail it back to me and I'll do it to see if that is what is happening.

dbfxdm · 10-24-2008, 12:42 PM

I'm pretty sure that the rod is centered in the notch. I saw this tip posted elsewhere - it makes sense. I made sure that I was centering it.

I think that Don is on to something though. After looking at it, I agree that this is probably what is going on. I didn't think that .007 inch would make that much of a difference...

There is definitely a radius in the notch where the flange of the rod sits and it is riding up (or down actually) in the notch just ever so slightly.

I can probably just knock off the rear edge of the flange (chamfer it) a bit and it will be fine. It is really not a big deal, the slide comes off fine with a bit of pressure.

Thanks for the suggestions.

By the way, I shot 100 rounds with it today and it is noticeably more stable. Not dramatic but definitely helps get the second shot on target quicker. Great investment...

07-10-2008, 09:48 PM	#1
rudy64 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: North Texas Posts: 144	New Stainless Steel Guide Rod Problem Now that I use Don's Stainless Guide Rod for my new XDm, I notice that it is hard to disassemble. The slide will not come off the gun without using considerable force. It's not a huge problem, but I'm worried that it might cause some premature wear on the gun. Has anyone else had this problem? The slide comes off easily with the standard guide rod. __________________ "How a politician stands on the Second Amendment tells you how he or she views you as an individual... as a trustworthy and productive citizen, or as part of an unruly crowd that needs to be lorded over, controlled, supervised, and taken care of."

07-10-2008, 10:03 PM	#2
rudy64 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: North Texas Posts: 144	Well, I just saw the post from another XDm member with the same problem. Has there been any developments Don? __________________ "How a politician stands on the Second Amendment tells you how he or she views you as an individual... as a trustworthy and productive citizen, or as part of an unruly crowd that needs to be lorded over, controlled, supervised, and taken care of."

07-11-2008, 09:59 PM	#3
Don XDTalk 4K Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Pullman, WA Posts: 4,268	Nothing yet. I am listening and seeing if I can figure what is happening. All that I can visualize is the head binding in the locking block, but this seems like a stretch from what I measured. One user has over a thousand rounds with no problems and no take-down issies, so what is happening is right at the edge of dimensional tolerances and can be worked out. When I come up with a fix I can correct the rods out there so no worries about having an early product. Since it does not hurt the operation of the pistol during firing, use it with impunity and I'll follow up on what is happening. __________________ Don geek with guns Why don\'t you all f-f-f-fade away.... FAQ - Don\'s Guide Rod

08-29-2008, 04:54 PM	#6
rudy64 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: North Texas Posts: 144	Thanks. I'll try. __________________ "How a politician stands on the Second Amendment tells you how he or she views you as an individual... as a trustworthy and productive citizen, or as part of an unruly crowd that needs to be lorded over, controlled, supervised, and taken care of."

10-23-2008, 10:29 PM	#8
jonny4523 XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Lafayette, IN Posts: 2,140	I know with my non-XDms, I once had an issue similar to what you are describing. Turns out that I didn't have the rod centered on the barrel ledge (for lack of a better term). When the slide went forward, it caught and stopped it. Ever since then, I make sure to center it and I haven't had it happen since. No clue if this is your issue or not, but I figured it couldn't hurt to offer it. __________________ -XD40 Service (Feb 2002) Springer Precision Carry Trigger -XD9 Tactical (June 2007) Springer Competition Trigger, USPSA Production -Remington 870 Mag, 12g, my hunting companion -Thompson/Center Triumph (June 2007) -Ruger Mark II (Oct 2004) Gvt Comp Model -AR build (Sept 07 - May 08 ) Mostly RR -Benelli M2 New bird gun NRA, USPSA #TY60062 -If guns kill people, then spoons made Rosie O'Donnel fat! -When seconds count, the police are only minutes away

07-17-2008, 01:36 AM	#4
Frogman77 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 158	I just got my don's guide rod. I haven't had any trouble with dissassembly or reassembly...not yet at least

07-31-2008, 09:09 PM	#5
CHA-LEE XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 209	Round the back edge of the guide rod flange so it is able to sit lower down againt the barrel. This should give it enough clearance to disassemble properly.

10-23-2008, 10:26 PM	#7
dbfxdm XDTalk Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 66	I just received a DRG for my XDm as well. I'm having the same problem although I have found that I can push the slid past the binding point with my thumb. It requires quite a bit of pressure but it will slide forward and off. No issue with the factory rod. I measured the diameter of the rear lip (flange) on the DRG with a digital micrometer. The DRG measured .509 inches and the factory rod measured .502 inches. It seems that 7 thousanths of an inch is enough to cause this interference. It appears that it is catching on the little "hump" underneath and just forward of the shaft on the Disassembly Lever. I'm not absolutely sure about this but based upon the position of the slide when the interference occurs and the location of the rod, this seems to be it. In any case, it isn't really a problem, the gun will come apart. I just have to apply some force to get the slide off.

10-24-2008, 12:42 PM	#10
dbfxdm XDTalk Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 66	I'm pretty sure that the rod is centered in the notch. I saw this tip posted elsewhere - it makes sense. I made sure that I was centering it. I think that Don is on to something though. After looking at it, I agree that this is probably what is going on. I didn't think that .007 inch would make that much of a difference... There is definitely a radius in the notch where the flange of the rod sits and it is riding up (or down actually) in the notch just ever so slightly. I can probably just knock off the rear edge of the flange (chamfer it) a bit and it will be fine. It is really not a big deal, the slide comes off fine with a bit of pressure. Thanks for the suggestions. By the way, I shot 100 rounds with it today and it is noticeably more stable. Not dramatic but definitely helps get the second shot on target quicker. Great investment...

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