Mil-spec issues - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Zach · 04-28-2008, 05:48 PM

Well, I've had my Mil-spec since last november. The only changes I've made was to ditch the 2piece guide rod for a GI plug/spring setup from Ed Brown. Since then I've had some problems with the slide failing to go into battery. Initially I figured it was just a dirt issue, so I cleaned the daylights out of the whole top end. I went out today and put about 50 rounds or so through and still had the same problem. When it happens I can thumb the slide forward and it will usually run just fine for a few more rounds. Well, I took it apart again this afternoon thinking maybe the spring I tossed in when I replaced the guide rod was weaker, but that's not my issue. I noticed approx. 6 notches right infront of the ejector that look like machine marks. It also looks like the slide is only running on about the first 9/16" of the slide and the rear 5/8", and the outer corners are pretty well worn off/ground off. Also, the inside front corners seem to be slightly peened inwards, and the outer seems to be rounded off. I really do not want to send it back to SA, even though I can run it out there in an afternoon instead of shipping it. Should I attepmt a mild polish job to the outside edge and top edge of the frame rails to smoth out some of the machine marks or send it back? I've probably got 800 various rounds through it and am fairly picky about cleaning this one.

What do you guys think?

ichy_trigger · 04-28-2008, 06:42 PM

Put the old rod and spring in it and see what happens, DONT polish rails, your just prematurely wearing them, IMO.

Zach · 04-28-2008, 06:49 PM

It still happens with the 2piece and original spring, happens w the GI plug and original spring, everything. It's definetly a rail issue. I took some pictures next to my Colt for comparison(though it's never been fired) and as son as photobucket picks up the pace I'll post em up here. I'll probably take it to work tomorrow and mic 'em to make sure they're straight and square and if they are I'll be runnin out to Geneseo on saturday.

charlie.45 · 04-28-2008, 09:58 PM

yeah if it's still doing the same thing with the original 2pc guide rod and spring then taking it back to SA would be a good idea,dont try to do it yourself in this case hell thats what the lifetime warranty is for and from what i've heard springfield customer service is great.good luck hope the problem gets taken care of cause thats a great gun to have that problem

Brickboy240 · 04-29-2008, 08:14 AM

What is the poundage of the recoil spring you're using?

Sometimes, a failure to go into battery might be caused by a weak recoil spring. You might try a Wolff replacement spring that is 2-3 pounds heavier with the GI plug and see if that clears it up. It could be that the spring you're using does not have enough "snap" to bring the slide foreward enough into battery and its stopping just short.

I had failure to go into battery issues with my old Commander and going to a recoil spring that was 2 pounds heavier cured this problem entirely.

...worth a try as this would be a cheap fix.

(I am NOT a fan of two piece or full length guide rods...not at all and don't have them in any of my 3 1911s)

- brickboy240

Zach · 04-30-2008, 08:50 AM

Brick-- I would stick a heavier spring in, but I didnt have a problem for a while after I changed the plug, probably somwhere in the neighborhood of 2-300 rds later. The first time I noticed it I was shooting in some single digit temps and chalked it up to the snow and temps, and didnt notice the machine marks on the rails. I'll email SA and see what they say about it, and probably just run it out there.

04-28-2008, 05:48 PM	#1
Zach XDTalk Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 44	Mil-spec issues Well, I've had my Mil-spec since last november. The only changes I've made was to ditch the 2piece guide rod for a GI plug/spring setup from Ed Brown. Since then I've had some problems with the slide failing to go into battery. Initially I figured it was just a dirt issue, so I cleaned the daylights out of the whole top end. I went out today and put about 50 rounds or so through and still had the same problem. When it happens I can thumb the slide forward and it will usually run just fine for a few more rounds. Well, I took it apart again this afternoon thinking maybe the spring I tossed in when I replaced the guide rod was weaker, but that's not my issue. I noticed approx. 6 notches right infront of the ejector that look like machine marks. It also looks like the slide is only running on about the first 9/16" of the slide and the rear 5/8", and the outer corners are pretty well worn off/ground off. Also, the inside front corners seem to be slightly peened inwards, and the outer seems to be rounded off. I really do not want to send it back to SA, even though I can run it out there in an afternoon instead of shipping it. Should I attepmt a mild polish job to the outside edge and top edge of the frame rails to smoth out some of the machine marks or send it back? I've probably got 800 various rounds through it and am fairly picky about cleaning this one. What do you guys think?

04-28-2008, 06:42 PM	#2
ichy_trigger XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 7,398	Put the old rod and spring in it and see what happens, DONT polish rails, your just prematurely wearing them, IMO. __________________ "The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." http://militarysignatures.com/signatures/member2645.png

04-28-2008, 09:58 PM	#4
charlie.45 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Maumee,OH Posts: 955	yeah if it's still doing the same thing with the original 2pc guide rod and spring then taking it back to SA would be a good idea,dont try to do it yourself in this case hell thats what the lifetime warranty is for and from what i've heard springfield customer service is great.good luck hope the problem gets taken care of cause thats a great gun to have that problem __________________ Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! Patrick Henry

04-29-2008, 08:14 AM	#5
Brickboy240 XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 8,322	What is the poundage of the recoil spring you're using? Sometimes, a failure to go into battery might be caused by a weak recoil spring. You might try a Wolff replacement spring that is 2-3 pounds heavier with the GI plug and see if that clears it up. It could be that the spring you're using does not have enough "snap" to bring the slide foreward enough into battery and its stopping just short. I had failure to go into battery issues with my old Commander and going to a recoil spring that was 2 pounds heavier cured this problem entirely. ...worth a try as this would be a cheap fix. (I am NOT a fan of two piece or full length guide rods...not at all and don't have them in any of my 3 1911s) - brickboy240 __________________ NOBAMA 2008...neo-Marxism is a very poor substitute for pretend conservatism! Es mejor morir a pie que vivir arrodillado Volvo...the Swedish Brick!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

04-28-2008, 06:49 PM	#3
Zach XDTalk Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 44	It still happens with the 2piece and original spring, happens w the GI plug and original spring, everything. It's definetly a rail issue. I took some pictures next to my Colt for comparison(though it's never been fired) and as son as photobucket picks up the pace I'll post em up here. I'll probably take it to work tomorrow and mic 'em to make sure they're straight and square and if they are I'll be runnin out to Geneseo on saturday.

04-30-2008, 08:50 AM	#6
Zach XDTalk Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 44	Brick-- I would stick a heavier spring in, but I didnt have a problem for a while after I changed the plug, probably somwhere in the neighborhood of 2-300 rds later. The first time I noticed it I was shooting in some single digit temps and chalked it up to the snow and temps, and didnt notice the machine marks on the rails. I'll email SA and see what they say about it, and probably just run it out there.