Greetings! - question on racking slide. - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

DoubleUp · 06-07-2008, 12:42 PM

I just purchased my first XD (XD-9 sub) and also JUST joined this forum. This is only my second pistol, and i picked it after test firing a rental for its small size and the 1911-ish feel. (My first pistol is a 1911). A couple of observations during dry firing / practicing with snap caps:

- The slide is a bit stiff, and can be difficult to rack. I have started using an overhand grip on the back rather then the "slingshop" grip when I rack it. It can be tricky to get the slide to lock (without a mag in place). I guess I need more practice with this. (I think my left hand is a bit too weak, I have the same problem with my 1911 Gov model). I suspect it will loosen up a bit after a few hundred rounds... (But not too much!)

- I had a few cases where the larger (15 round) magazine would not release very easily from the left (but would from the right) release.

- Also, when testing the action using snap caps, sometimes the snap cap will not eject when it is the last round. I may not be racking the slide vigorously enough, I hope it will eject better at the range with real ammo. The extractor looks fine to my untrained eye

- The larger mag is tough to load! I needed to use the loader that came with the pistol.... what a wimp

Anyway, first trip to the range is tomorrow...

Cheers!

Breadfan · 06-07-2008, 12:52 PM

There is an official explanation from HS Produkt why is slide so difficult to rack:

Quote:

"HS/XD is made for real men with manly hands not for sissies."

WilliamWallace · 06-07-2008, 01:02 PM

are you holding the gun with a stiff right arm and trying to do it all with the left? sometimes weaker people (no offense) have a hard time doing it this way. try a push-pull where you are using the muscles of both arms to move the gun. i've personally seen this work for someone who thought they couldn't rack the slide of my XDs.

it was a girl hehehehehe

i'm just messin' with ya. but give it a try, you might find it works. i am a big guy and i use this method because it is just plain easier.

D-FENS · 06-07-2008, 01:02 PM

Try using your left hand to pull the slide and your right hand to push with a firm hold on the pistol grip.

EDIT:
I was beaten by a few seconds.

**Pugs** · 06-07-2008, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoubleUp

I just purchased my first XD (XD-9 sub) and also JUST joined this forum. This is only my second pistol, and i picked it after test firing a rental for its small size and the 1911-ish feel. (My first pistol is a 1911). A couple of observations during dry firing / practicing with snap caps:

- The slide is a bit stiff, and can be difficult to rack. I have started using an overhand grip on the back rather then the "slingshop" grip when I rack it. It can be tricky to get the slide to lock (without a mag in place). I guess I need more practice with this. (I think my left hand is a bit too weak, I have the same problem with my 1911 Gov model). I suspect it will loosen up a bit after a few hundred rounds... (But not too much!)

- I had a few cases where the larger (15 round) magazine would not release very easily from the left (but would from the right) release.

- Also, when testing the action using snap caps, sometimes the snap cap will not eject when it is the last round. I may not be racking the slide vigorously enough, I hope it will eject better at the range with real ammo. The extractor looks fine to my untrained eye

- The larger mag is tough to load! I needed to use the loader that came with the pistol.... what a wimp

Anyway, first trip to the range is tomorrow...

Cheers!

As you've correctly assessed, the stiff springs are the source of all the problems that you listed, except possibly for the mag not dropping easily when you hit the left mag release button. The other problems are all spring related and will loosen up a bit as the springs break in.

Racking the slide is a combination of needed hand strength and the spring being stiff 'cause it's new. The mag being tough to load (and possibly the the mag dropping issue) is the the result of the magazine follower spring being stiff. That'll lighten up a bit with use, but they do wear out and you want to watch for failures to feed/eject when they're well broken in.

The failure to eject on the last snap-cap in the mag is a combination of not racking the slide hard enough, and also not having another round pushing up from underneath. The mag follower is pushing up but not with as much force since the spring isn't as compressed.

Have fun at the range. We expect a range report w/pics!

DoubleUp · 06-07-2008, 01:17 PM

I really think I am going to like this board!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breadfan

There is an official explanation from HS Produkt why is slide so difficult to rack:

WilliamWallace · 06-07-2008, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoubleUp

I really think I am going to like this board!

yeah, there's always one per thread (at least) that will give you a hard time, but it's always out of love. i have tried many other boards and this is my favorite.

PolsVoice · 06-07-2008, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoubleUp

- The slide is a bit stiff, and can be difficult to rack. ... I suspect it will loosen up a bit after a few hundred rounds... (But not too much!)

- I had a few cases where the larger (15 round) magazine would not release very easily from the left (but would from the right) release.

- The larger mag is tough to load! I needed to use the loader that came with the pistol.... what a wimp

Anyway, first trip to the range is tomorrow...

Cheers!

I think you'll find after 200-500rds that the XD is a much smoother gun. EVERYTHING got better after a bit of breaking in and a good lube/cleaning. The trigger, the slide, the mag release, the mags themselves. I did have to compress my mags a bit by leaving them fully loaded for a week or so and let the spring loosen a bit.

mongoose33 · 06-07-2008, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PolsVoice

I think you'll find after 200-500rds that the XD is a much smoother gun. EVERYTHING got better after a bit of breaking in and a good lube/cleaning. The trigger, the slide, the mag release, the mags themselves. I did have to compress my mags a bit by leaving them fully loaded for a week or so and let the spring loosen a bit.

I'll second that. I bought mine (XD 9mm Service) at the beginning of May. The trigger has smoothed out (lots of dry firing, as well as a few hundred rounds), it racks better, the magazines are easier to load (or maybe I'm getting better at loading them).

DoubleUp · 06-07-2008, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mongoose33

I'll second that. I bought mine (XD 9mm Service) at the beginning of May. The trigger has smoothed out (lots of dry firing, as well as a few hundred rounds), it racks better, the magazines are easier to load (or maybe I'm getting better at loading them).

I look forward to it

BTW: I can rack the slide, I just think its a bit 'firm'. Not a big issue.
Cheers!

06-07-2008, 12:42 PM	#1
DoubleUp XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 14	Greetings! - a few observations I just purchased my first XD (XD-9 sub) and also JUST joined this forum. This is only my second pistol, and i picked it after test firing a rental for its small size and the 1911-ish feel. (My first pistol is a 1911). A couple of observations during dry firing / practicing with snap caps: - The slide is a bit stiff, and can be difficult to rack. I have started using an overhand grip on the back rather then the "slingshop" grip when I rack it. It can be tricky to get the slide to lock (without a mag in place). I guess I need more practice with this. (I think my left hand is a bit too weak, I have the same problem with my 1911 Gov model). I suspect it will loosen up a bit after a few hundred rounds... (But not too much!) - I had a few cases where the larger (15 round) magazine would not release very easily from the left (but would from the right) release. - Also, when testing the action using snap caps, sometimes the snap cap will not eject when it is the last round. I may not be racking the slide vigorously enough, I hope it will eject better at the range with real ammo. The extractor looks fine to my untrained eye - The larger mag is tough to load! I needed to use the loader that came with the pistol.... what a wimp Anyway, first trip to the range is tomorrow... Cheers! Last edited by DoubleUp; 06-07-2008 at 12:48 PM. Reason: Title was wrong...

06-07-2008, 01:02 PM	#3
WilliamWallace XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 1,145	are you holding the gun with a stiff right arm and trying to do it all with the left? sometimes weaker people (no offense) have a hard time doing it this way. try a push-pull where you are using the muscles of both arms to move the gun. i've personally seen this work for someone who thought they couldn't rack the slide of my XDs. it was a girl hehehehehe i'm just messin' with ya. but give it a try, you might find it works. i am a big guy and i use this method because it is just plain easier. __________________ You can get smart or you can get strong.

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06-07-2008, 01:02 PM	#4
D-FENS XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 134	Try using your left hand to pull the slide and your right hand to push with a firm hold on the pistol grip. EDIT: I was beaten by a few seconds.