Tools

[JHA XD40]

Well, I've decided that I would like to do a detailed disassembly of my XD or at least the slide and maybe the frame too if all goes well with the slide. I've looked at ajames' site with the instructions for detailed disassembly and I'm pretty confident that I can do it, but the part I'm not so sure about is tools. The Safety and Required Tools section on ajames' site isn't much help. I know I could go through his instructions and make a list of everything that I will need, but I was wondering if there is a kit or something that includes all, or at least most, of the things that I will need. I'm new to the gun hobby so if a kit has parts that I won't need for disassembling my XD but has parts that are commonly used on other guns, then that is fine.

Thanks in advance for any and all help.

jonas

[one-eyed-fatman]

Personally I'm a big fan of if it ain't broke don't fix it. I think if you were truly interested in this project you would be more than willing to make a list of tools needed off James website. Are you willing to go look for the springs or other very small parts that may very well go flying across the room? Are you a patient person? Are you willing to wait forever for parts you lose because they may be on Springfield's do not sell list? Are you mechanically inclined? There's a lot more to it than a toolkit. I'm not against anyone learning to do this if they have enough confidence. If you decide to do it I wish you the best of luck.

[armatron]

i haven't really taken a close look, but i bet most of the things you need are specific sized punches. I've found (in other applications than guns...) often an allen wrench will fit almost perfectly and is much easier to obtain.


I too would like to do a total strip of mine... even though I don't need to AT ALL... I just love takin stuff apart..

[JHA XD40]

I've thought all that through and I'm confident and proceding. I'd be pissed if I lost a part and couldn't get a replacement from Springfield, so I plan on being extra careful, especially around the springs. I have the patience and mechanical intuition to get it done, but I've worked on enough things to know that the proper tools can drastically cut the amount of time a job takes. I will go through Jame's tutorial and make a list of the parts if necessary, but if someone would recommend a kit then it would save me the trouble of wandering up and down the aisles of a hardware store trying to find the parts after I make a list.

Mostly I'm doing this to gain a better understanding of how everything works and give it a little cleaning while I'm at it.

jonas

[one-eyed-fatman]

Sounds like you'll do just fine. But I think your out of luck on a tool kit. At least I don't know of any. Let us know how things go.

[XD BACKUP GUN]

I have done many Detail Strips of my XD SC 9mm.

I use a lot of different things to take it apart.

Allen Wrenches.
Jewelers screwdrivers.
Needle Nose Pliers.
A Dental Pick.
Tweezers.

I do most of the work with the xd in a cardboard box covered with Plastic wrap over the open part and two wholes cut in the plastic wrap so I can put my arms in the box. I do this in case a spring decides to try and fly away.

[JHA XD40]

Thanks BUG. Good idea with the box, I'll keep that in mind. Where would one acquire a dental pick and jewelers screwdrivers?

Thanks.

jonas

[XD BACKUP GUN]

I call them Jewelers Screwdrivers, but are sold at most hardware stores....just ask for a set of really small screwdrivers.

Lots of Medical Supply places sell dental picks.


Yes and 3/32 punch is a good tool to have. I have a whole set and have used various sizes.


It really is not that hard to do.

Call James if you have any questions, he has help many people with the procedure over the phone.

[one-eyed-fatman]

Down here you can buy dental picks at Ace hareware.

[R/T Performance]

Dental picks can be had every where local parts store hardware and tool trucks .The main things small screw driver ,Hammer ,Punch

Note I would not recommend removing the mag catch
Real night mare to get back in.

I think Rich uses a pen to disassemble the slide back cap

Another tip if you remove the grip safety be careful Lining up the spring mine is a little shorter know because I sheared the end off.
Yes SA is selling me a new spring

Frame pins are retained on the right side so out(Push) right in(INstall) left.
After you do it once you will be a pro