Rented an XD, had lots of problems

[trelane]

Originally Posted by Centerfire

Just one more thing to add:

I put more weight in the research I've done spending hours reading and comparing the reports of reliability of different guns on the Internet from individuals who have put many thousands of rounds through their guns - than I do from shooting a box (or less) through a rental myself. But that doesn't mean it's not worth renting one to shoot. There are a lot of things you can determine from shooting even just a few rounds through a rental.

~Centerfire

Renting the gun tells you two things:
1. in the worst possible condition the gun could ever be in... I can control it.
2. the gun fits my hand and I can basically operate it.

[714XD]

Originally Posted by Centerfire

+1 here...
When I went in the next week to buy the Glock, I was eyeing the XD40 sitting next to it. The guy behind the counter takes an XD rental off the wall and tells me to go shoot so I can compare it to the Glock. The XD was as filthy as the Glock I shot earlier, and it didn't have any problems after shooting a box. But that's not what made me change my mind and want the XD. It was how it felt in my hand, the difference in the trigger pull, (and the warranty and backstrap safety played a part too). Point being - I don't think it's wise to judge a weapon after a bad experience renting one. You don't have any idea how bad those guns have been abused/neglected. I DO think it's a good idea to rent different models to feel how they shoot, grip, trigger pull, recoil, etc.

For the record, I don't regret not buying that Glock...

~Centerfire

I agree. I had a similar experience when I bought my XD9. The rentals weren't in that bad of shape. I tried the glock 17 which I have been very familiar with. Then the XD9. Though I had some trouble with the XD9 at first, not having ever shot an XD before. I was not use to the grip safety feature. I did immediately feel a difference in the trigger squeeze. It felt better in my hand. Also had an improvement with my shooting. With glocks I always shot low. With the XD I shot right on. Needless to say the decision was made. The first IDPA match I shot with my XD9 is the best match I ever shot.

[sloopy70]

I've got just over 10,000 rounds through my xd9, and the only malfunction its ever had was when my little brother limpwristed it when i first got it... oh yeah, and 1 primer failure, but that was the primers fault...

[skilled1]

championship arms in renton washington, awesoem place to rent (off topic kinda) you can watch them, they clean every gun every time after it is rented. they really take pride in what they offer.

[Jesse James]

a light cleaning with a brush and I bet it would be good to go. Also might have been build up of gunk arounf the extractor..

[medicstimpy]

Besides the problems with ejecting cases, how did it shoot? Were you getting the on-target results you liked? And how did it feel?

As the others mentioned, Club guns are usually beat. They always have problems because of the number of rounds through them and maintenance. It goes for all guns no matter how reliable a model it is, they just get worn out.

At my club the only rentals that really keep on going are the Ruger Mark II's and 10/22's and even they have problems.

Usually we rent to get the feel and the feeling of how it shoots before buying so malfuntions if they happen are not important. My club will pull one out of the rental case for free if you are buying the same model.

Now, if you had tried another members and got a malfunction, that would be a different story, since most people take care of their guns.

[rockerz71]

Welcome to the forum.

[foo.c]

I liked the XD alot, so I was a little bummed when I started having problems with it.

At this point I'm leaning towards user error, even though it was a rental. I think I was probably touching the slide release.

I need to determine if this is something I can overcome, or if my hands just don't fit the gun well, despite it being comfortable.

Is it possible to mod the slide release to be less sensitive?

[sloopy70]

Yeah you can mod it to where you can't affect the slide release, but first, what kinda grip were you using??? thumbs forward? if not go to www.springerprecision.com and watch the grip videos...

[Grip]

the xd you rented probably has 10k rounds through it and is asking for a new recoil spring after all the abuse.