Newbie Greetings & Dry Fire Info - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

eastsidemilitia · 01-24-2006, 07:52 AM

Greetings!

I've been lurking here for a while but this is my first time posting, so forgive my newbie questions

I just purchased my first XD-9 sc a couple of days ago. So far I love it, although I have not had a chance to get to the range with it yet (hopefully this weekend). One thing I was a little concerned about was the whole dry firing issue. I know this has been covered in several threads on this forum, but there didn't seem to be a concensus as to whether it was ok or not (some people say it's totally fine, others say no). So, I emailed sales@springfield-armory.com asking if it was ok to repeatedly dry fire the pistol, or if this would damage the firing pin. Their response was:

"I would not recommend doing it regularly, no. Occasionally will be
fine."

A little on the obtuse side if you ask me...I was hoping for a little more specific info (ie - why would they design the pistol so you have to dry fire it to disassemble it if dry firing can damage it?)...but that's the answer I got straight from SA customer service.

I know some of you claim to have dry fired thousands of times with no problems, but has anyone ever had any damage to their XD pistol from dry firing?

ichy_trigger · 01-24-2006, 09:52 AM

If you hold your gun by the grip and look straight down on top of the slide, you will see a small hole behind the loaded chamber incicator. This hole has a roll pin in it and this pin is what retains the firing pin. Repeated dryfiring has been known to break this pin. By the way, this pin can be replaced with another one from your local hardware store.

I have dryfired my XD's tens of thousands of times and have not had any problems with my pin. One day it may break but when it does, its no biggie and takes a small punch and 30 seconds of my time to replace.

Dryfire away, its a great training tool. If your gun is a carry gun, just replace the pin every so often, they only cost a few cents.

mullanman · 01-24-2006, 09:55 AM

Or buy a cheap drill bit, find the right size, use a dremel and cut to fit..

mullanman · 01-24-2006, 09:57 AM

Dry firing will not damage the XD. Being a single action, all the sear does is release the striker. If you are worried about you firing pin, use snap caps, etc.

I have thousands of dry fires on my XD's with no ill effects...Same with my 1911's.

eastsidemilitia · 01-24-2006, 11:07 AM

Thanks for the input! I'm a little paranoid

in general so I'll probably get a few snap caps just in case

I wonder why SA says they "don't recommend" dry firing it frequently, though? Are they just doing a CYA so in case my pistol does get damaged they can pull out a "we told you so"?

mcone · 01-24-2006, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eastsidemilitia

Thanks for the input! I'm a little paranoid

in general so I'll probably get a few snap caps just in case

I wonder why SA says they "don't recommend" dry firing it frequently, though? Are they just doing a CYA so in case my pistol does get damaged they can pull out a "we told you so"?

Speculation 1: The roll pin may works it way out, and you may call them for warranty work, and they will ask you to return the pistol, then have to fix it for you. That makes their day a bit more busy.

Answer 1: However, many of us just fix the roll-pin issue ourselves. We don't bother SA with this one.

Speculation 2: The mechanical parts, like any mechanical part, may wear or crack after super high-volume usage.

Answer 2: Doesn't matter. I bought my XD for for Xtra Duty use, and I don't care if things wear out after 100,000 trigger pulls. The brunial finish is wearing off. The pistol is used hard - including dry fire. And it shoots better now than when I first purchased it. Frankly this little machine is ready to be exercised.

-Mike

DoctorSuarez · 01-24-2006, 12:30 PM

I imagine dry firing won't hurt, but I'd invest in snap caps for it anyway, since they have other uses.

Snap caps are ideal for practicing reloads, clearing, and malfunction drills. (Of course, the only time my XD has malfunctioned has been when I've intentionally jammed it with a snap cap for practice. The damn thing just won't fail with real ammo.

)

Coincidentally, I just finished some dry-fire practice before sitting down to peruse the boards. I've been off shooting a buddy's .22 all month, so my handguns have been somewhat neglected.

I only have one .40 snap cap, and it's one of those cool Pachmayr blue caps with the internal spring and brass primer-area. The XD's striker beat a dent into that thing with only a few firings. I guess I won't have to worry about light primer strikes for a little while.

Get a pack of snap caps, preferably more than one so you can practice clearing and chambering with them.

01-24-2006, 07:52 AM	#1
eastsidemilitia XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2	Newbie Greetings & Dry Fire Info Greetings! I've been lurking here for a while but this is my first time posting, so forgive my newbie questions I just purchased my first XD-9 sc a couple of days ago. So far I love it, although I have not had a chance to get to the range with it yet (hopefully this weekend). One thing I was a little concerned about was the whole dry firing issue. I know this has been covered in several threads on this forum, but there didn't seem to be a concensus as to whether it was ok or not (some people say it's totally fine, others say no). So, I emailed sales@springfield-armory.com asking if it was ok to repeatedly dry fire the pistol, or if this would damage the firing pin. Their response was: "I would not recommend doing it regularly, no. Occasionally will be fine." A little on the obtuse side if you ask me...I was hoping for a little more specific info (ie - why would they design the pistol so you have to dry fire it to disassemble it if dry firing can damage it?)...but that's the answer I got straight from SA customer service. I know some of you claim to have dry fired thousands of times with no problems, but has anyone ever had any damage to their XD pistol from dry firing?

01-24-2006, 09:52 AM	#2
ichy_trigger XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 7,414	If you hold your gun by the grip and look straight down on top of the slide, you will see a small hole behind the loaded chamber incicator. This hole has a roll pin in it and this pin is what retains the firing pin. Repeated dryfiring has been known to break this pin. By the way, this pin can be replaced with another one from your local hardware store. I have dryfired my XD's tens of thousands of times and have not had any problems with my pin. One day it may break but when it does, its no biggie and takes a small punch and 30 seconds of my time to replace. Dryfire away, its a great training tool. If your gun is a carry gun, just replace the pin every so often, they only cost a few cents. __________________ "The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." http://militarysignatures.com/signatures/member2645.png

01-24-2006, 09:55 AM	#3
mullanman XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,909	Or buy a cheap drill bit, find the right size, use a dremel and cut to fit.. __________________ USPSA L2683

01-24-2006, 09:57 AM	#4
mullanman XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,909	Dry firing will not damage the XD. Being a single action, all the sear does is release the striker. If you are worried about you firing pin, use snap caps, etc. I have thousands of dry fires on my XD's with no ill effects...Same with my 1911's. __________________ USPSA L2683

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01-24-2006, 11:07 AM	#5
eastsidemilitia XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2	Thanks for the input! I'm a little paranoid in general so I'll probably get a few snap caps just in case I wonder why SA says they "don't recommend" dry firing it frequently, though? Are they just doing a CYA so in case my pistol does get damaged they can pull out a "we told you so"?

01-24-2006, 12:30 PM	#7
DoctorSuarez XDTalk Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 43	I imagine dry firing won't hurt, but I'd invest in snap caps for it anyway, since they have other uses. Snap caps are ideal for practicing reloads, clearing, and malfunction drills. (Of course, the only time my XD has malfunctioned has been when I've intentionally jammed it with a snap cap for practice. The damn thing just won't fail with real ammo. ) Coincidentally, I just finished some dry-fire practice before sitting down to peruse the boards. I've been off shooting a buddy's .22 all month, so my handguns have been somewhat neglected. I only have one .40 snap cap, and it's one of those cool Pachmayr blue caps with the internal spring and brass primer-area. The XD's striker beat a dent into that thing with only a few firings. I guess I won't have to worry about light primer strikes for a little while. Get a pack of snap caps, preferably more than one so you can practice clearing and chambering with them.