Cutting Through the Hype and Myths: Is the XD Good Enough for Professional Use?

[fedmanshooter]

Very nice writeup. Looks like you done your homework, and ours as well.
Great job. Thanks, tony

[chiadog]

I see the roll pin situation gotten more recognition since I was last here (~2002-3 I think, it was HS2000talk back then). Bygones should be bygones, so I'll just say my instance wasn't received very warmly. Mine broke with very little dry firing after ~300 rounds. The pin split and was sticking out of the bottom of the slide (top had a slight protrusion as well). It prevented the slide from going into battery with the next round half way chambered. It may be the only known instance where the broken pin actually affected function. It worked flawlessly after a new pin. Freak accidents can/do happen to any gun.

Dug the picture up. Excuse the low res, since it is a very old picture obviously.

[edda0199]

thanks ,this is a goood thread!!
good job!



mmohunter

[9ja]

This article compares to the best of any reviews that there can be. Besides the professionalism of Doug, his passion for being thorough shone through at the lengths he went to source for info (both damning & edifying of the brand). Job well done. Thanx a whole lot for a very informative piece.

[HaileStorm]

I've owned the xdm9c for almost two months now and the only problems I've had with it is failure to go into battery with some cheap ammo. This was during the first few times i've fired the gun.

I diacovered that the reason for this is the stiff spring found in the 19rd mag as I never had the problem when using the 13rd mag. What I did to remedy the issue was to leave the 19rd mag fully loaded and let it sit for a week. Never had the problem again and I'm really enjoying the gun. Fired a little less than 200 rounds but that figure is sure to rise considerably once I get my "Permit to Carry" (that's what we call it here).

And about the Blocks, they just never really appealed to me. I was choosing between the Sig P250, Berretta 92FS and the xdm9 4.5 originally (never considered a Block) but ended up getting the xdm9c. Grip angle is all weird and feels relatively cheap on them Blocks. But that's just me. To each his own. Anyway, two of my friends have G19's and they have the mag problem. They don't slide out freely due to the mag getting "fat", I guess.

Anyway, thank you, Doug for the useful info you've contributed. Very informative, indeed.


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[spyderman2k4]

I will say the roll pin can be an issue. Ive got an xd45 that ive had for almost 6 years with 4500 rounds through, no issue with the roll pin. A year and a half ago i got an xd9tac and the roll pin split with only about 100 rounds through it and caused the gun to not function.

Springfield had a new pin to me in a day or two, but have since replaced the pins on my 4 xds with those from prp as a precautionary measure, and recommend others to do the same.

I love these guns, but i do admit its a serious design flaw. Thankfully, its one thats fixed very easily and pretty inexpensively. I dont picture the spring roll pins ever having a problem

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[syberguner]

I too appreciate all the time and effort put into this post. I have had my XD's about 4 yrs and the pins are still in one piece however I am thinking of replacing them with upgraded pins.

I have a couple of questions.

1. how do you get the old pin out? After you remove the slide do you drive it up from the bottom or down from the top? (Never-mind I figured it out)

2. Some have indicated they used a solid pin from a Sig. Which model would that be from and by how much does one have to shorten it? (part # would be also helpful- if info is handy)

Although the rolled design looks to be stronger than the current split design I can't help but think the thickness of the metal would be thinner to accommodate the rolled curl and that under repeated hammering might also eventually fatigue and break. I would think the solid Sig pin to be the strongest replacement of all.

[recon-1]

Originally Posted by HaileStorm

Grip angle is all weird and feels relatively cheap on them Blocks. But that's just me. To each his own. Anyway, two of my friends have G19's and they have the mag problem. They don't slide out freely due to the mag getting "fat", I guess.

Blocks? First time I have heard that one to describe Glock's. Sounds like your friends need to update there mags to the newer gen mags. It sounds like they have the earlier mags that did not freely drop from the pistol. That explains the mag getting fat.

[HaileStorm]

Originally Posted by recon-1

Blocks? First time I have heard that one to describe Glock's. Sounds like your friends need to update there mags to the newer gen mags. It sounds like they have the earlier mags that did not freely drop from the pistol. That explains the mag getting fat.

Hehe! Just putting humor to an otherwise okay firearm

They have the ones that are Austrian made, not the one from usa. Not sure which gen those are but I don't think the gen 4 mags will fit in them. I'm guessing they have the gen 2? Not sure, really.

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[SlayerX2000]

Great post and great information. I appreciate all of the research you have done on this. I am new to guns and just bought my first one a month and a half ago. It's very reassuring reading this that I have chosen a fine first weapon,