XD .45 service KB

[gunnut1]

I received my replacement today. Looks just like the one I blew up but it isn't blown up!

all I can say is that Springfield customer service is nest to none. They were nothing but nice, courteous, concerned and just good folks. Thanks to Cindy, the production manager for all of her help. She completely handled the case.

As to the reloading press, I am still not sure that the problem was caused by the press. But, I am still going to call the manufacturer.

Thanks for all of your concerns. I have learned my lesson!

I sent the gun back to Springfield last week. I received a call from Cindy in repair this morning. The technician looked at the gun and said that there is no doubt that it was a barrel obstruction. A squib form the previous round. So know I know that the press did not throw enough powder but I still am taking the blame. Here is why. This particular press has a powder measure that can be turned off to stop powder flow. It is possible that I had turned it off to make an adjustment or add powder and forgot to turn it back on. If it is turned off and you drop powder, it will drop a reduced load because the drop tube is not full. I really see no reason for this function except that it allows you to turn off the powder flow, remove the reservoir and dump the powder back in to the original container. I am going to call the press manufacture and tell them what happened.

Now for the gun. The following parts were destroyed. Barrel, slide, loaded chamber indicator and extractor. Cindy told me that the frame had a gouge in it. The up shot is this. The gun was totalled. They are replacing the whole gun for $250.00. Not bad. I did not expect them to do this under warranty.

I asked if they could send back all of the bad parts and she said they would. She did tell me that the tech needs to cut the slide so it can't be used again. I'll post more pics when I get every thing back.

After this, Springfield has a loyal customer.

Guys who reload. Please please be careful and check your loads. We have seen what a barrel obstruction will do. I was very lucky and didn't get hurt. Springfield was VERY concerned for me and they reminded me to be more careful about my reloads and for that I thanked them.

One other thing. Should this happen, heaven forbid, to any of you guys, just fess up and tell Springfield the truth. Cindy told me that a lot of guys will blow up a gun then tell her that is was not their fault. She was not pointing fingers at this or any other gun board or any particular person.

Be careful out there. I have learned my lesson and lived to tell the tale.

Thanks guys.




The first thing that I want to emphasize is that this KB WAS NOT THE FAULT OF THE GUN! I suspect that I had overcharged a round during reloading. I WAS NOT using factory ammo.

I am OK but it scared the hell out of me.



View from above. Fortunately, all of the metal that left the gun went straight up and bounced off of the ceiling on the firing line. The piece of metal beside the gun is the top of the barrel chamber.



Holy Moly!!!!! What is kind of weird is that I saw the gun coming apart. It was kind of like slow motion. When I realized what had happened, I dropped my right hand fro around the pistol grip held on to the gun with my left hand and turned my back to it and ducked down. The only thing that hit me was the loaded chamber indicator and it hit the ceiling and dropped on my head. It is amazing how fast one can move when he is scared!



Note the bulged chamber or what is left of it.



Looking toward the muzzle. The piece of metal is the top of the chamber from the rifling side. The chamber is bulged and I cannot get the slide off. Note the bulge in the slide right under the ejection port.



Here is another view of the bulged slide.

I am not a very religious man but I do thank God that I was not hurt.

If you reload, PLEASE, PLEASE be careful. I highly suspect that this was due to an overcharge that happened during a reloading session.

This was my fault and NOT the fault of the gun. Springfield makes fine firearms and I would not hesitate to buy another one.Thank the good Lord and Springfield Armory that the slide held together.

[Serafas]

WOW! glad you are ok. So long poor XD....

[gunnut1]

Thanks. I am going to call Springfield tomorrow and see how much it will cost to fix it. I very seriously doubt that it will be a warranty job because of the use of reloads.

The heck of it, this gun is less than a year old.

[kaizenboi]

WOW!! I'm glad you're OK and nothing seriously happened!! I agree, guns can be replaced, but not an "event" that could have been fatal...

[Forker45]

Just curious...what reloading machine do you use?

[13-F-COLT]

what impresses me about this is, that even with an overcharge KB, how well the failure was contained. after all, it could have gone the other way and cost fingers or eyesight or worse.
anyway, glad you're ok, sad about the XD.

[Mike in VA]

I was standing next to a guy who had a KB in a Glock in .45 ACP. His gun was in much worse shape, as was he. Both hands bloodied, and something hit him in the mouth, cause he was bleeding. Gun was totaled.

He said that he was able to file a claim with his homeowners insurance, and they covered some of the damages to his gun!

[Mad Pick]

Gunnut1, thanks for sharing the story and for the GREAT photos. It's a good warning to all of us of what can happen.

Also, kudos for taking the blame and being so clear that you don't hold the gun responsible.

I'm glad that you're okay!! And while you're on the phone with Springfield, ask them if they have an XDm45 coming out that you can buy as a replacement.

[Reborn]

WOW. What kind of powder were you using, and how many gr of it? After seeing this, I think I'll stick to WST or 231.

[Dibs50]

You are very lucky. However, I have to admit that I'm twice as lucky. The same thing happened to me TWICE with my G21. (Yes...you can call me a moron.) I later discovered what I believe was the problem. The previously fired cases were not re-sized properly in my press. So, when the round cycled into the chamber, it didn't go all of the way in (because the base near the web prevented it). So, when I pulled the trigger, the gun fired out of battery.

In both cases, my hands were a little numb afterwards but with minor scratches.

I since sold my G21, bought a case gauge that I used to check EVERY round and bought an XD45C.

Good luck and take care!