Question regarding slide lock, or not..

[VonZipper]

I have a recently purchased XD 45, compact with tactical slide. My previous mainstay gun, and most of my experience with, was a Springield 1911 A-1. One of the things that I have noticed that irks me just a bit is this......given that the XD has no manual safety mechanism (thumb safety), the slide tends to move when inserting into a tight holster. Yes, i noticed that it will only slide back a small amount if the grip safety is not engaged. But typically, when holstering, your hand is entirely around the safety, thereby allowing the slide to rack, or almost-rack, if the holster is tight, or if the front end of the gun grabs at the holster.

My question is this.....is there any way to prevent this? Granted, the same can happen with a 1911 in "off-safe" mode. In that gun, I had a super-strong recoil spring, and 2-stage guide rod, as I was shooting 45 Supers, and so it was rarely a problem given the spring tension.

Am i looking at going to a similar spring setup to avoid this problem?

Any input would be greatly appreciated....and just for the record....I am really beginning to LOVE this firearm!

[deepdiver]

I have noticed this and have decided it is not an issue given the XDs safeties and this is why. Try this and see if it convinces you. Unloaded or with snap caps, rack the slide just enough to cock the pistol (about 1/4"). Let the slide back down. Now, pull the slide back slowly holding it in a firing position. The slide will move easily to about where it cocked but to move it further requires significantly more effort (with over 1400 rds on mine now it is much easier than it once was but there is still a significant difference in effort). If you try this at the range or with snap caps you will find that the slide does not move enough to fully disengage the battery or to unseat the rd in the chamber. As soon as the pressure is released, the guide spring reseats the slide fully into battery.

I agree it is something to be aware of when holstering, however, I have not found that with due diligence and care holstering that it has ever pulled back far enough to effect the chambered rd or the safety mechanisms. Hope this makes some sense. I'm sort of tired...

[Nicadflyer]

When I put my XD40SC into it's JIT holster, I push the back of the slide with my thumb. I have found that this stops the slide from moving.

[JBIV]

As posted, I grip the handle and glide it into the holster with my thumb on the striker indicator.

[kritter]

I know what you are talking about but by placing my thumb on the firing pin indicator it allows me to be off the grip safety and also push down. Seems very safe and fine with me.

Kritter

[The Knight Of Light]

My XD9tac's slide backs up just a tiny bit. It goes right back to normal when I draw. It has done that about 1000 times and worked just fine every time.

[Niner4Tango]

You can either:

Holster the weapon while keeping you hand off the grip safety. This prevents the slide from moving enough to go out of battery and cause a jam. Or,

Keep your hand off the grip safety (still) and push on the back of the slide with your thumb (as mentioned above) to get a good positive push into the holster. This is what I do.

[Damon]

I also put my thumb on the back of the slide when I holster.

That way I keep my hand off the grip safety and can feel if the slide moves at all.

Massad Ayoob teaches this method of holstering. There is a pic and description about half way down this link.
http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/ayoob031207.html

[The Knight Of Light]

Originally Posted by Damon

I also put my thumb on the back of the slide when I holster.

That way I keep my hand off the grip safety and can feel if the slide moves at all.

Massad Ayoob teaches this method of holstering. There is a pic and description about half way down this link.
http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/ayoob031207.html

[VonZipper]

Good article, thanks for all the input!