My D'oh moment. Need answers from the experts

[MarkWVU02]

I'm pretty new to owning a firearm. I've been shooting for a while and understand my xd pretty well. Tonight I had one of those half paying attention moments and was wondering if anyone could help. I field stripped my xd to check it out after a range trip. After inspection I was half paying attention and threw the slide on without the guide rod in. D'oh. I know it's pretty stupid. Well I tried to pop it off in the usual way but nothing happened. I wrestled with it for a minute and managed to pull it off while pulling the trigger using some force. I put it back together with the guide rod and threw a snap cap in to check it out. It seems to be functioning okay. It fires fine and resets as usual. When I would rack it back the cap wouldn't fling out. I noticed the ejector had a slight side to side movement is that normal? It flips out fine if I rack back hard just not if I rack back somewhat easier. I'm having trouble explaining. It may he normal because the slide would rack back hard if it fired a bullet and I'm probably being paranoid. I guess my real question is, is there anything I should be worried about because I put it back without the guide rod or should the gun be okay? I appreciate any help you all can give me. Or even just a little piece of mind. I've shot guns for years but this is the first one I own and I treat it very well. Just want to make sure all is okay

[ajamesp51]

Ok I will try to answer.

The movement in the ejector is normal, it will have some give.

The reason the round is ejected with force when you rack the slide hard and fast is that the the case hits the ejector harder and faster so it flings it faster and harder just like you theorized when you really shoot the pistol.

When you barely push the slide back slow.....you have to remember the extractor is gripping the case and holding it. So when you go slow and rack the slide back the case will hit the ejector and slowly pushes it out of the extractors grip and most likely not even out of the slide just rattling on top of the magazine.

Your pistol is functioning fine your now just super aware of what you think are anomalies. Just go slow next time and every time you take your pistol apart do a functions check.

[MarkWVU02]

Thanks for the quick response. I figured as much. It was one of those things where I knew the answer but kept second guessing myself.

[Inferno]

Im cleaning my XD right now as im typing and noticed the ejector wobbling side to side. I then did a search on these forums and found this post haha. Just letting you know your not alone!

[EMN83]

wobble is normal, I was a little concerned at first also, but with 2k+ rounds down range it's still working fine.

[Ben850]

I have found that snap-caps are not ejected as hard as regular bullets.

No idea why, but i bet if you tried it with a regular bullet, it will work more like what you're expecting.

[MarkWVU02]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I figures as much. I was more worried I might have done some damage when I put it back together withouth the guide rod. At least this mistake will make me super aware next time I field strip and it won't happen again.