xd40 home customization

[nortron]

Well, i impulse purchased my xd40. I wanted a bi-tone model, but the local gun shop did not have one in stock. Instead I picked up an all black version. After joining the forum I was surprised and many of the simple modifications one could do themselves. Here is the progress I have made so far. I am very happy that I went with the all black version instead of the bi-tone model. I think the modifications I have made really add to the all black gun, more so than they would have on a bi-tone model.

Here is the gun when I first brought it home:


My first modification was filling in the engravings with silver nail polish. This was by far the most nerve racking thing I have done. It was hard to take .99cent fingernail polish to a brand new gun. I couldn't be more happy with the outcome though:


After a few trips to the range, and some more reading I decided that the barrel needed to be polished. I took 600, 1000, and 1500 grit wet/dry sandpaper and went to work. Here are the results:




I was happy with the results of the sandpaper, but there were slight imperfections in the finish. After some additional reading I found threads reviewing the "heavy metal polish" that some of the users and great results with. I purchased a polishing kit for the dremel, ordered some of the polish, and went to work. The end result was 100x better than the sandpaper alone:



Finally, i found a thread where a member had polished the controls. Wanting to get some additional use out of my new polishing kit, I decided to do the same:



I am very happy with the end result, especially considering I had never done anything of this nature previously. I am now looking to purchase a xd40sc and doing it all over again. These firearms are quite the addiction.

[jblakk]

That looks really nice. Excelent work

[nortron]

Originally Posted by jblakk

That looks really nice. Excelent work

thanks, i encourage anyone who is thinking about doing the customization themselves to jump right in. guided by the "how to" posts on the forum I managed some great results. it sure is a lot more rewarding to do it yourself, and you have the required tools to do touch-ups.

[Modificationvt]

I got the mod bug myself, here is my XD40SC




Since this pic I have also polished the push pins and given it a trigger job.

Its always nice to do things that make your gun YOURS...

[propellerhead]

Want more use out of that Dremel tool? Dig up the thread on here about fixing a gritty trigger. Do a functional mod this time.

[Modificationvt]

Originally Posted by propellerhead

Want more use out of that Dremel tool? Dig up the thread on here about fixing a gritty trigger. Do a functional mod this time.

is the gritty trigger a hit or miss problem with the XD's? Ive heard lots of people talk about it, but I just cant feel anything wiered with mine.

Ill tell you what is a good trigger mod to do, The Powder River Precision safety lever and set screw is just amazing! its easy to do, and eliminates all pre/over travel, and the reset! I think you can also get springs to lower the weight of the trigger pull, but I didnt them since I did this mod to my carry gun.

[cookieXD40]

now do a little heat stippling to your grip and ur good to go...haha

[propellerhead]

Originally Posted by Modificationvt

is the gritty trigger a hit or miss problem with the XD's? Ive heard lots of people talk about it, but I just cant feel anything wiered with mine.

I have four XDs. Five if I didn't sell the XD40 Service. Each pistol had a slightly different feel. Some were gritty. Some were not. Each one was gritty to a different degree.

[nortron]

Originally Posted by propellerhead

Want more use out of that Dremel tool? Dig up the thread on here about fixing a gritty trigger. Do a functional mod this time.

i will do a search. i am always looking to use the dremel.

[sig22940]

when I try to do cool pics they never work out right