How To Install the Powder River Precision Safety Lever and Overtravel Stop

[propellerhead]

Recently, I bought the Powder River Precision Safety Lever. It worked great but reducing the take up meant more overtravel. The kit came with some set screws but I didn't want to drill into the trigger bar or the frame so the safety lever sat on the shelf. They now have a new Overtravel Stop that works great. I was able to get my hands on one and documented the installation.

So starting with a clear gun...

1. Using a 3/32 punch, push the Sear Pin. It doesn't take a lot of force to do this. You may not even need a hammer. If it doesn't easily move, tap the punch with a hammer.



2. You don't have to push it through all the way. Just enough to clear the Safety Lever.



3. Push down on the Safety Lever. It should fall right through the magazine well.



4. The Powder River Precision Safety Lever goes in as shown below. Insert the bottom end first. This may take a few tries if you have fat fingers.

Edit: Now would be a good time to polish the Safety Lever. Take some metal polish and just buff both sides.



5. Once the bottom of the Safety Lever is in, rotate the upper half into position by pushing the top up and back.



6. Note where the hole is on the Safety Lever. You want that to line up with the Sear Pin.



7. Push the Sear Pin back in. Make sure both ends of the Sear Pin are flush with the frame. You don't want part of it sticking out as it will interfere with the slide.

[propellerhead]

On to the Overtravel Stop...

1. Rotate the Takedown Lever to the 2:00 position on a Service or Tactical frame. On a Subcompact, rotate it to the 11:00 position.



2. While pushing in on the right side of the Takedown Lever, rotate the lever counter clockwise while pulling. It will take a few complete turns to remove it from the frame. No need to use excessive force. It will come out easily.



3. Using a 5/32 punch and a small hammer, tap the two Locking Block pins to get them started. You don't have to hammer them all the way through. Just get them started. A 1/8 inch movement is sufficient.



4. Push both pins through. You should be able to push them through by hand. If they are tight, use the hammer and punch to tap them through. You don't have to push them out, just enough to clear the Locking Block.



5. Pull up on the Locking Block. It may be tight so you might have to wiggle it a bit. Do not try to pry it out with a screwdriver or anything like that. If it won't budge, try tapping or pushing the Locking Block Pins some more.



6. Take note of how the Slide Stop Lever Spring is situated in the Locking Block. The subcompacts have a slightly different spring than what is pictured below. No need to do anything right now. Just make a mental note.



7. If it hasn't fallen out on its own, remove the Slide Stop Lever.



8. Pull back then up on the trigger.



9. The Trigger and Trigger Bar should come right out.



Edit: If you have time, examine your Trigger Bar for areas where it rubs against something. This is a good time to take some metal polish and buff those areas. It will help get you a smoother trigger pull.

Edit: Someone posted a link to this guy's videos so here's a video version of the above. Keep in mind that the author of this video uses different terms for the parts. Try not to get confused.
YouTube - Introducing the Springfield XD pistol (part 4)

[propellerhead]

1. Now you're ready to install the Powder River Precision Overtravel Stop. Study the next few pictures to learn the orientation and position of the Overtravel Stop.

With respect to the Frame:


With respect to the Locking Block:


With respect to the Trigger Bar:


2. Install the Trigger Bar and Trigger. Insert the rear end of the Trigger Bar first then rotate the forward end down as you guide the Trigger into the Trigger Opening.



3. Install the Overtravel Stop. You may have to wiggle the Trigger sideways to get the Overtravel Stop in. Push down on the Overtravel Stop. The tab with the hole will be underneath the forward end of the Trigger Bar.



4. Install the Locking Block halfway. Make sure you have the Slide Stop Lever Spring installed properly. That spring likes to fall of the Locking Block. Install the Slide Stop Lever. Make sure the forward end of the Lever is under the Slide Stop Lever Spring. Then push the Locking Block all the way in. You may have to move the Trigger a little to get it all to fit.



5. If the Locking Block won't go in easily, try lining up the holes using the 5/32 punch. It's a tight fit but you still don't need a lot of force to get it in. I've found it easier to install the forward end of the Locking Block first. Using a small hammer, tap the Locking Block Pins back in. Again, they don't need a whole lot of force. If they won't go in easily, try lining up the holes with the punch again. (This picture was taken after I shaved off too much of the Overtravel Stop. If yours doesn't look like the picture below, don't worry about it.)



6. Next, notice the semi-circle cutaway on the Takedown Lever. Notice the Slide Stop Lever Spring through the big hole in the frame. Those two will play together.



7. Insert the Takedown Lever into the Frame with the Lever in the 6:00 position. Gently rotate the Takedown Lever clockwise while pushing in. It will take a few full turns to get the Lever all the way in without breaking the Slide Stop Lever Spring.



8. Continue to rotate and push the Takedown Lever and stop at the 12:00 position.



Done! That wasn't too hard now, was it?

[propellerhead]

If you got this far, great. This is where the fitting comes in. There are two surfaces that might need some sanding, Surface A and Surface B. I just used regular household fine grit sandpaper. If you want to use some Special Forces Tactical Sandpaper, I can send you a sheet for $50 + shipping.

Surface A locates the Overtravel Stop from side to side. If there is too much of Surface A, it will push up against the Trigger Bar. If there's too little (like I did above) the Overtravel Stop will move to the right when the Trigger Bar hits it. Since I screwed mine up, the best advice I can give is I think you want the Overtravel Stop to have the largest possible contact area with the Trigger Bar. Mine is too far to the right so only the corner of the Overtravel Stop makes contact with the Trigger Bar. I'll be getting a new one soon and I can redo my fitting. If I lean more about it, I'll try to update this post.

Surface B is what really does the work. It stops the Trigger Bar from moving forward. If there's too much Surface B, it will stops the Trigger Bar too soon and you might not even fire the gun. If there's too little, then you get more of the factory overtravel back.


Photo courtesy of Powder River Precision


Photo courtesy of Powder River Precision

It's all up to you at this point. If you think you need to sand off some of Surface A or Surface B, disassemble the gun as shown above. Remove half of what you think you need and reassemble and test. You can always remove more. If you take off too much then your trigger won't benefit as much from this kit. The good thing is that it will only cost you $12 + shipping to do it all over again. I suggest you order two of the Overtravel Stops from the beginning. That way you'll always have a spare one in case you go too far.

The top two pictures show the end of the take up and the overtravel of my XD9 Tactical before the Powder River Precision Safety Lever and Overtravel Stop. The bottom two show how it is now. The trigger feels so much shorter and because my finger is doing less, there is also less influence on my grip. I highly recommend these two mods. They are really simple to install and fit with two punches and a hammer. You don't have to drill into the trigger bar or frame. If you later decide to sell the gun, you can remove them and bring the gun back to its factory stock condition. This is a great solution to the overtravel and the low low cost is unbelievable.



On top of all that, everyone knows that Daniel at Powder River Precision is a great guy to deal with.

[Joeywhat]

Good write up...so this is the Powder River safety safety lever kit, with the "easy fit" trigger stop? I just recently found the travel stop, which was just what i was looking for...I didn't want to drill the frame.

[jon45xdtac]

Originally Posted by propellerhead

If you want to use some Special Forces Tactical Sandpaper, I can send you a sheet for $50 + shipping.

Excellant write up. How much is shipping?

[Nosrac]

Great write up.

I would have to order like a dozen cause I'm always tinkering. I installed the screw since it wasn't a big deal to me. I like to be able to micro adjust.

[propellerhead]

Can a Mod correct my spelling in the thread title please? It should be "Install". Thanks.

Originally Posted by Joeywhat

Good write up...so this is the Powder River safety safety lever kit, with the "easy fit" trigger stop? I just recently found the travel stop, which was just what i was looking for...I didn't want to drill the frame.

Yes, it's the XD Basic Striker Safety Lever Kit plus the XD Easy Fit Over Travel Stop available at Powder River Precision.

$12 to not have to drill into the frame or trigger bar is simply badass.

[Outsider]

Thanks for the write up. How long it take you to do that? Seems like a lot of work plus pictures.

[propellerhead]

Maybe an hour to do it with pictures. That included sanding the Overtravel Stop. I can switch the stock parts in for both pieces in under 5 mins now.