Extraction Problems

[ChessRat]

Hey All,
I've recently had a few jams in my XD9 Tac. It has looked the same each time it happened. Here is a photo of what it would typically look like:



It happened 3 times in about 150 rounds last time at the range. The gun was dirty before I started (I was trying to recreate the jam and was wondering if it was happening because of a dirty gun... I guess I was successful). So I cleaned it when I got home making sure the extractor was clean (btw, there wasn't a build up of gunk in the extractor). Lubed it as usual.

When I shot it the very next time, it jammed in the same way as pictured above. There was only about 30 rounds through it at the time so I don't think its jamming because of a dirty gun. I cleared the jam and put another 200 rounds through it that same match and had no other problems.

Speaking to a friend of mine, he thinks it could possibly be the reduced weight recoil spring. I have a 15lb wolffe spring in it right now but I know the first time it happened to me, I had the stock spring in it (I was using Miwal reloads at that match). I have only used WWB since and it has happened about 6 or 7 times (probably around 1200 - 1500 rounds).

I also did a search here on XDtalk and found some info about an out of spec mag possibly being the culprit. Specifically if the opening was open too wide IIRC. It was just talk and not conclusive so I will have to check things out for myself.

I am just looking for any other ideas or things to watch out for at the range so I can get this corrected. Or maybe even someone who might have had the same problems with the XD9 Tac (which I think I read somewhere).

For now I will put the stock spring back in it. I will also number my mags and see if it happens with the same mag. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks !

[agalindo]

If it happens with just on mag then I would check the mag lips. Check the extractor for nicks or missing metal. Check to chamber for rough spots.

[jeff221]

Does this happen at random? First round? Every round? Last round?

It looks like the round isn't slipping under the extractor properly. That, or the extractor is being pulled OFF the chambered round when the next round jams up into the chamber... This could be caused by the mag lip spacing.

Does the extractor slip when hand cycling the slide, or only when shooting? I'd hand cycle the rounds in slowly watching to see if in fact the extractor is grabbing the rim or not.

And of course, it it mag dependant or happen on ALL mags...

Lastly, to test, does it extract properly after firing if you remove the mag and fire the gun?

[kannibul]

I had the EXACT same thing happen - a few times...

I switched ammo, and haven't had a lick of trouble since.


Previously, I was using Zero "Factory reloaded" 115gr JHP rounds (9mm).

I switched to Blazer (aluminum cased) FMJ 115gr - not a lick of trouble.

I even did a 300rnd "stress test", where I loaded 2 mags with 15 rounds ea, blast through them, then rinse/repeat as quickly as I could manage. The barrel was making those "heat waves" you see in the summer...I wasn't about to find out how hot it was - but I can say that it was still quite warm when I got home a half hour later...

Not a single bit of trouble then or since!


I also rotate my mags when I go to the range - I have 3, I take two with...so for me it wasn't the mag.

[ChessRat]

agalindo, I think it was your post I read about the mag possibly being the problem. I will number them and keep track. I will also try and take some good measurements and see if I can spot a difference like that.

Jeff, it has been random. Your description about the mag makes agalindo's ideas clearer to me now. I think if I hand cycle it wont be a problem. Actually, I'm wondering if its cycling too fast because of the reduced weight springs. Like I said also, its happened about 6 or 7 times in 1,200 to 1,500 rounds. So about once every 200 rounds.

Kannibul, I sure hope its not the ammo. I have 4,000 rounds of WWB and I hate spending on ammo. But at the same time I hate having a jam in the middle of a stage too

Thanks for the info so far...

[BBunin]

I had the same thing happen twice to me within 500 rounds of each other.
The second time I pulled the mag and set it aside.
SO FAR, it hasn't recurred.

[Chewie146]

If that's WWB, I would recommend changing ammunition. That's a nice pic, but I couldn't read the brass. WWB was a problem in my XD SC .40. Everything else feeds fine.

[jeff221]

Originally Posted by Chewie146

If that's WWB, I would recommend changing ammunition. That's a nice pic, but I couldn't read the brass. WWB was a problem in my XD SC .40. Everything else feeds fine.

That's VERY ODD in my opinion. In both my XD's I run WWB religiously and have NEVER EVER had a problem.

Only issue I've EVER had w/ my XD is when the firing pin was barely striking the primer, this was fixed by cleaning the "goo" out of the firing pin hole.

[jnclement]

Lots of good ideas. I'd just have to say try them one at a time, so you know which one fixed it, or didn't.

[ChessRat]

jnclement, I think your right, there is a lot to try out.

I will start with the mags as agalindo suggested. I have 13 mags I use for matches, which are enough to stagger the problem to the range 1 in 200 or so rounds. I will number them and pay attention. I also checked the spacing and position of a round in all my mags. They all checked out fine except for one. I will see if it is the culprit.

The incident I had at the range when I had 3 FTE's helps support the mag theory also since I only had 2 or 3 mags with me. I wish I would have set that mag apart right then and there.

Thanks again for all the ideas. I will let you all know WHEN I find the problem.