New shooter, first gun, sights off from factory? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Foo_909 · 06-07-2008, 12:51 PM

I've been shooting for a few weeks now and finally decided to purchase my own pistol, and after much reading decided on a brand new XD Sub-Compact 3" .40S&W OD Green. As soon as I pulled the pistol out of the case I noticed this:

The rear dovetail is knocked over to the left side (away from the ejection port) and an adjustment "mark?" is clearly visible on the right side of the dovetail. The front sight seems to be perfectly centered.

This causes me a couple questions: Would this cause the gun to shoot to the left if aiming at the center? Is this normal for this pistol? Can I correct the problem myself?

Thanks in advance! 1st post!

Barndoor · 06-07-2008, 01:29 PM

As a new owner (well almost...it arrives Tuesday) of a new XD 9 service Bi-Tone. I was excited to find this site where I (first time owner of real gun) could read to find info on caliber preferences, safety issues, maintenance, legal aspects of what appears to be one fine brand of hand gun. But I gotta tell ya, after reading 25 pages of string about the idea of whether crayons, china markers, white out or fingernail polish were the best choice for coloring the stamps, y'all have opened up a whole new aspect of gun ownership that I never imagined existed.

Think I'll do mine with ebony black fingernail polish...I think my daughter has some.

Barndoor · 06-07-2008, 01:34 PM

So, anyway that didn't go to the right spot did it?
I have seen this on an old gun I got from my father in law. Why it would be like that on a NIB, I don't know. I hope mine doesn't come that way.

Any way I had taken the old gun to the range with a neighbor and he noticed that I was shooting to one side and he got out his little tool kit and used a small hammer and BRASS punch and while I held the gun down on the mat he gave it a few whaps and eventually after a little back and forth got the rear site where it was right on. Whether this is the official gunsmith technique or not, I don't know and look forward to others replys

PatriotnMore · 06-07-2008, 01:37 PM

I had the same issue.Fixed sights

redtree · 06-07-2008, 01:39 PM

This is not normal but obviously can happen. You can move the sight over yourself by getting a punch and a hammer and tapping the sight back to center alignment. If you don't feel comfortable doing that I would call SA and find out what they would suggest. Finally, yes the sight alignment to the left will cause you to shoot to the left.

Foo_909 · 06-07-2008, 06:39 PM

Thank you redtree, at first I was shooting low left...I wasn't using the tip of my finger and I was slightly jerking the trigger.

Once I got that solved I could shoot pretty tight groups but to get it in the center and not left of center I had to adjust accordingly...I was pretty sure this was the cause.

phildavis516 · 06-07-2008, 06:54 PM

A coworker of mine bought a new XD9SC and the rear sight was way off center on his gun. He tried a brass drift to move it, but ended up sending it into Springfield Armory. Fixed and returned in about 7 days.

highscore · 06-07-2008, 07:15 PM

Every XD I have seen shot needed the sight adjusted for windage. Unfortunately, a brass drift punch probably will not do the trick. The sights are put into the slide VERY tight and take a lot of force to move them. Check out the sight pushers that are available and you will get the idea. I strapped mine (and others) into a Brigdeport milling machine and pushed the rear sights to attain perfect windage. It took a lot of pressure, SA must put them in with a press.

Foo_909 · 06-07-2008, 07:19 PM

Well crap.

Sucks buying a brand new gun and this happens

. If it takes a press to move to the sights how in the hell do they move in transfer from the factory to the buyer? Surely Springfield wouldn't ship them like this.

Johnnybgood · 06-07-2008, 07:28 PM

Why don't you send the slide off to one of the sponsors on this forum and have night sights installed, you will probably want some soon enough anyway.The sight alignment is best done by a gunsmith if you have never done it before, the XD sights are very tough. SA would most likely do it for you since it is a new firearm there should be no charge. If you decide on the night sights then I can tell you I sent my slide to Gilbert's Guns for TFO's and they were installed and back to me in a weeks time and at a great price.

06-07-2008, 12:51 PM	#1
Foo_909 XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Ashland,KY Posts: 16	New shooter, first gun, sights off from factory? I've been shooting for a few weeks now and finally decided to purchase my own pistol, and after much reading decided on a brand new XD Sub-Compact 3" .40S&W OD Green. As soon as I pulled the pistol out of the case I noticed this: The rear dovetail is knocked over to the left side (away from the ejection port) and an adjustment "mark?" is clearly visible on the right side of the dovetail. The front sight seems to be perfectly centered. This causes me a couple questions: Would this cause the gun to shoot to the left if aiming at the center? Is this normal for this pistol? Can I correct the problem myself? Thanks in advance! 1st post!

06-07-2008, 01:29 PM	#2
Barndoor XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Eaton County, MI and Lake County FL Posts: 194	Pimp My 9 As a new owner (well almost...it arrives Tuesday) of a new XD 9 service Bi-Tone. I was excited to find this site where I (first time owner of real gun) could read to find info on caliber preferences, safety issues, maintenance, legal aspects of what appears to be one fine brand of hand gun. But I gotta tell ya, after reading 25 pages of string about the idea of whether crayons, china markers, white out or fingernail polish were the best choice for coloring the stamps, y'all have opened up a whole new aspect of gun ownership that I never imagined existed. Think I'll do mine with ebony black fingernail polish...I think my daughter has some.

06-07-2008, 01:39 PM	#5
redtree XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Utah Posts: 208	This is not normal but obviously can happen. You can move the sight over yourself by getting a punch and a hammer and tapping the sight back to center alignment. If you don't feel comfortable doing that I would call SA and find out what they would suggest. Finally, yes the sight alignment to the left will cause you to shoot to the left. __________________ “We will bankrupt ourselves in the vain search for absolute security.” Dwight D. Eisenhower If you lend someone $20, and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

06-07-2008, 06:54 PM	#7
phildavis516 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Republic, MO Posts: 419	A coworker of mine bought a new XD9SC and the rear sight was way off center on his gun. He tried a brass drift to move it, but ended up sending it into Springfield Armory. Fixed and returned in about 7 days. __________________ Threw up a prayer just looking, just looking for a sign. And some clarity and inspriation Happiness is a destination that's hard to find It may take some time! XD9SC--3850 Rounds XD45C--800 Rounds Remington 870 12 Ga--8 Shells Ruger SP101 .357--900 Rounds Ruger MarkII .22--1500 Rounds Dillon RL550B--2500 Rounds

06-07-2008, 07:15 PM	#8
highscore XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: CT Posts: 111	Every XD I have seen shot needed the sight adjusted for windage. Unfortunately, a brass drift punch probably will not do the trick. The sights are put into the slide VERY tight and take a lot of force to move them. Check out the sight pushers that are available and you will get the idea. I strapped mine (and others) into a Brigdeport milling machine and pushed the rear sights to attain perfect windage. It took a lot of pressure, SA must put them in with a press. __________________ If you want me to try YOUR ammo, let me use Your gun! HS

06-07-2008, 01:34 PM	#3
Barndoor XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Eaton County, MI and Lake County FL Posts: 194	So, anyway that didn't go to the right spot did it? I have seen this on an old gun I got from my father in law. Why it would be like that on a NIB, I don't know. I hope mine doesn't come that way. Any way I had taken the old gun to the range with a neighbor and he noticed that I was shooting to one side and he got out his little tool kit and used a small hammer and BRASS punch and while I held the gun down on the mat he gave it a few whaps and eventually after a little back and forth got the rear site where it was right on. Whether this is the official gunsmith technique or not, I don't know and look forward to others replys

06-07-2008, 01:37 PM	#4
PatriotnMore XDTalk Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 97	I had the same issue.Fixed sights

06-07-2008, 06:39 PM	#6
Foo_909 XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Ashland,KY Posts: 16	Thank you redtree, at first I was shooting low left...I wasn't using the tip of my finger and I was slightly jerking the trigger. Once I got that solved I could shoot pretty tight groups but to get it in the center and not left of center I had to adjust accordingly...I was pretty sure this was the cause.

06-07-2008, 07:19 PM	#9
Foo_909 XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Ashland,KY Posts: 16	Well crap. Sucks buying a brand new gun and this happens . If it takes a press to move to the sights how in the hell do they move in transfer from the factory to the buyer? Surely Springfield wouldn't ship them like this.

06-07-2008, 07:28 PM	#10
Johnnybgood XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: North West Florida Posts: 584	Why don't you send the slide off to one of the sponsors on this forum and have night sights installed, you will probably want some soon enough anyway.The sight alignment is best done by a gunsmith if you have never done it before, the XD sights are very tough. SA would most likely do it for you since it is a new firearm there should be no charge. If you decide on the night sights then I can tell you I sent my slide to Gilbert's Guns for TFO's and they were installed and back to me in a weeks time and at a great price. __________________ XD .40 SC TFO's XD .45 Compact XD . 40 Service Ruger P345PR Taurus 605 357 MAG Bersa Thunder .380 Savage 12 gage pump

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