Barrel Replacement for XD-9 Service.

[Andrew LB]

I've had my XD-9mm service model for about two years now and it's definitely my workhorse at the range. I've put just over 8,000 rounds through it and it's performed flawlessly. Not one jam, misfire, stovepipe, etc.... even after shooting 400 rounds one day and the next another 600 (teaching a friend to shoot) without cleaning it one bit. The rest of he times i've gone shooting, i always do a pretty thorough cleaning of the weapon and proper oiling.

Even though it's still a tack driver and on most days I have excellent groups, i'd like to know from you more experienced guys what the average lifespan of a barrel is for an XD. I pretty much always shoot winchester white box since i get a 100 round box at Walmart for $13.99 and they perform quite well.

My good friend who works at SharpShooters in Torrance CA, (my local range) told me to not worry about it. He borrows my XD often at the range and always comments on how well it shoots even at distance compared to his 5" HK USP 9mm that he does most of his shooting with.

I've been considering upgrading to a match grade barrel to compliment the Canyon Creek Tungston guide rod and #22 spring I installed two days ago. Unfortunately i have yet to shoot it with the new rod/spring.... maybe monday. I've also purchased some TRUGLO Tritium/fiber optic TFO sights for the XD that are sitting here on my desk since i'm looking for a local smith to install them.


So what do you guys think about the barrel? Keep... replace... upgrade to match grade....? Or save the money for a proper trigger job?

Oh.... and if anyone has someone local to me that is a good reliable smith, i'd appreciate the info on him.

Thanks in advance,

-Andrew
Long Beach, CA

[Ed Ely]

Sounds like a case for PistolGear! Old
School is launching his very own brand
of match grade barrels very soon. I
am sure you could wait until they hit
the street. Prelims are giving it a good
thumbs up.

Ed

[rgeliske]

First off your barrel is a long way from being worn out and by your account the guns shoots well so you don't need a new barrel. That leaves you with do you want a new barrel. There is no reason to buy a new standard barrel which now leaves the threaded and the ported barrels. You need to ask yourself 2 questions:

Will my accuracy and pleasure shooting improve? Absolutely....reduced muzzle flip.

Will my gun look really good with a ported barrel or a compensator on the end? Without a doubt....... sexy.

Will I look cool at the range shooting it? Ahhhhhhh........ Only if you're a good shot.

If I had some extra money that I wasn't saving for another gun I'd probably buy one of the ported ones for a 9mm.

[Dhunter55]

Two things come to mind:

1.) If it ain't broke don't fix it.

2.) Why jump out of a perfectly good aircraft?

[Andrew LB]

Originally Posted by Dhunter55

Two things come to mind:

1.) If it ain't broke don't fix it.

2.) Why jump out of a perfectly good aircraft?

1. Just like automobiles, there is always room for improvement via modifications.

2. More skydivers die in plane crashes than chute failures. I have 6 jumps to my record so far.

[Hooz]

EFK and (soon) PistolGear are probably your two best options for barrels. There are a few notable differences between the two, though.

The PistolGear barrel is going to be a "match" barrel. It will require cutting and recrowning the barrel, and custom fitting by a gunsmith. They are making key spots on the barrel oversized to allow a gunsmith to really tailor the barrel for the individual gun. From the sounds of it, the barrel is going to cost $125, and then there will be roughly $75 worth of gunsmith fees for fitting (and another ~$70 to ship your gun to a smith if you send it to Canyon Creek, Springer Precision, etc).

The EFK barrel has a "match" chamber and bore, but the barrels are designed to be "drop-in". I bought an EFK conversion barrel, and it took me about 5 minutes with my wife's nail file to fit it to my gun. Cost for the barrel is $150, but there is no gunsmithing or shipping involved.

For ultimate accuracy (real "race" gun), I'd say the PistolGear barrel will be the best bet. For a drop-in replacement barrel with as good or better accuracy than stock (And stainless looks cool, too! ), the EFK barrel is probably the better (and cheaper in the long run) choice.

[jeepinbanditrider]

THey've done some torture tests on XDs and I know I read one of them where the XD fired 20,000 rounds. Even after being buried in sand, frozen in a block of ice, ect., ect. The only thing that happened to it was the cocked firing pin indicator broke so youcouldn't tell by feel weather the weapon was cocked.

I think that guy is still shooting that weapon to this day.

[ichy_trigger]

Even though the CD is extremely accurate from the factory, I found an aftermarket fitted barrel will give you even more. As far as the barrl being worn out... If you chrono and you notice velocities dropping over a long period of time, using the same load, its an indication of gas blowby. you wil also see the accuracy diminishing. I would say your barrel should be good fr at least 80,000 to 100,000 rounds though.

[Dhunter55]

Originally Posted by Andrew LB

1. Just like automobiles, there is always room for improvement via modifications.

2. More skydivers die in plane crashes than chute failures. I have 6 jumps to my record so far.

1.) A quality antique car will sell for more than a new one with ABS, Air bags, and all the modern safety and mechanical modifications.

2.) Why didn't they just jump. They had a chute on afterall.

Just so you don't think I'm totally closed minded, I do like my new Ford truck better than the old horse and buggy

[rljensen]

Originally Posted by Andrew LB

2. More skydivers die in plane crashes than chute failures. I have 6 jumps to my record so far.

Just kidding.

Rich