Don's Guide Rod & Spring for XD

[Don]

Early on I was playing with very light reloads for my daughter. You can pretty much chart the powder grains by what happened with the brass with a fixed spring. Brass ejects closer with the lighter loads, then as it gets border line the occasional brass comes off the forehead.

When you go lighter it starts hitting your right forearm.

Lighter yet and it starts ejected to the left of your arms as often as it stovepipes.

You can see this same behavior with various spring weights for a fixed load, the heavier springs bring the ejection in closer. So in that sense you can make a spring choice to match your grip (in the grand scheme of things your grip is a part of the "spring" as is your stance).

Revolver shooters often keep a loose grip and when they get to a semiauto and have ejection problems. When they firm up the grip the problems resolve themselves.

[jcrich33]

It even looks much better than the stock rod (at least I think so). That may not be the best reason to get one, but it is a bonus.

[xd4life]

Originally Posted by Paul

Care to elaborate?

Paul

For wxample when my fiance shoots I like the gun to have a little less recoil, as well as less muzzle flip. When I am shooting with my buddies a lighter spring works cause I can usually shoot faster and better than they can with their Glcoks, or useing my gun.

[MarineFlyboy]

I just finished polishing my barrel (I was tired of the scuffed up blueing after 4000 rounds) and installed my new DGR and 22# spring in my XD40. Haven't gotten a chance to shoot with it yet but it looks damn good compared to the stock stuff.





We'll see how she does at the range sometime next week!!!

[Timmy44221]

Do thye make new guide rods for the sub-compact??? I only see people using them in theur 4in and 5in guns.

[jetdriver]

Nice job MarineFlyBoy. Looks pretty sweet.

[BDNape]

How did you get the black off? My barrel is looking pretty streaky. I'd really like to do that to my barrel.

[Paul]

Originally Posted by xd4life

For wxample when my fiance shoots I like the gun to have a little less recoil, as well as less muzzle flip. When I am shooting with my buddies a lighter spring works cause I can usually shoot faster and better than they can with their Glcoks, or useing my gun.

So for "less" recoil a higher spring. More recoil, but a faster "action" less spring.

Sounds like I need to experiment when I do this.

Stovepipe? Brass does not fully eject?

Thanks,
Paul

[Odin]

I would get a couple of different springs to try out. A lot of people like the 22 and a lot like the 16. They are cheap and it's not going to break the bank if you get 3 or 4 springs.

[jetdriver]

Originally Posted by BDNape

How did you get the black off? My barrel is looking pretty streaky. I'd really like to do that to my barrel.

Lots of ways. One way that I think creates nice looking results is with Scotchbrite. Grab a few of those green scrub pads at the grocery store. Use a little elbow grease, and viola! A little of your fave cleaning solution will help too. I wrapped my fingers around the barrel with the Scotchbrite, and rubbed off the finish that way, like revving a motorcycle. That way, it gives a brushed stainless appearance, and the "grain" goes around the barrel, not down the length of it. For the chamber end nooks and crannies I used a Dremel with a felt tip and a little Flitz polish. Good luck!