JSWC Ammo in XD-45 - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

66rambler · 11-23-2006, 09:31 AM

Hello all,
I got my XD-45 service model about 6 months ago. What made me buy it was the fact that it fit my hand like a glove, and that I had heard good things about it. I have not truly broken it in yet as I have only fired approx. 300 rds. through it. Those rds. ranged from JHPs (Fed, Speer, etc.) to 230 ball (WWB). I had experienced no feed failures whatsoever.

I came into a great deal on factory new Federal jacketed Semi-Wadcutters, and Rem. JSWCs as well. This is match-grade ammo. I figured that the XD would eat 'em right up as I had no problems with other ammo. Wrong! Both magazines were tried, and I had failure to feed during initial slide drop, and every 2 or 3 rds. when it did fire. This was the case with both magazines. These were all "nose-up" jams.

Here is the question: Has anyone tried shooting .45 SWC ammo in their XD-45s, and have you experience the same feeding problem?

I have other .45s (S&W 4566, Kimber Custom Royal) and have not had a feed problem with SWC ammo in the past. I was hoping to use all this new ammo to break in the XD. It doesn't seem that I will be able to.

Thanks in advance,
66rambler

Sixgunner · 11-23-2006, 04:34 PM

I have used my SWC handloads in my XD Service Model .45 ACP without problem. Bullets were 185 and 200 grain, some cast, some Berry's plated. I typically use 5.5 grains of W231 for around 900 fps.

Like you, I initially bought a box of 100 rounds of factory ammunition for break-in purposes, though I used Winchester 230 grain ball. No problems whatsoever.

The only thing I can think of that is causing your problem is the fact that, as you say, your ammunition is "match grade". That may mean it is loaded to comparatively low velocity, thereby generating comparatively low recoil energy. That being the case, the XD recoil spring may be too strong, causing the failures to feed that you describe.

Do you notice (when you feed and fire the match ammunition) that it seems lighter, with less recoil? Can you find velocity data for your factory ammunition that fed properly and compare it to the data for the ammunition that failed to feed? If there's a significant difference in velocity between the two, this may be an indicator the match ammunition does not generate enough recoil energy to fully force the slide to the rear, therefore not creating enough forward travel (and attendant energy) to strip the next round from the magazine.

I think that if you determine my theory to be correct, your options would be to use only higher energy ammunition or obtain a lighter recoil spring for match loads.

JohnC · 11-23-2006, 05:36 PM

The .45 service doesn't seem to like factory SWC loads. Mine is reliable with SWC handloads but I know several people that cannot get theirs to run with any SWC load, factory or handload. My .45 tactical will eat anything. I would stick with a truncated cone or round nose bullet in the service model. I handload cast TC bullets in different weights for a XD.40 service and both of the XD .45s along with various 1911s without any problems at all. I've started replacing all SWC and RN bullets as they run out with the TC. I know my explanation didn't help you out much. Maybe you can work a trade with someone or just save them for other pistols. Good luck.

66rambler · 11-23-2006, 08:21 PM

Thanks for the response guys,
I beleive the problem to be with the pistol not being able to chamber the shorter cartridge. The Rem. "Targetmaster" 185 gr. JSWCs OAL is 1.170. The Federal "Gold Medal" 185 gr. FMJ-SWCs OAL is 1.165. Both of these are much shorter than the Federal 165 gr. Hydra-shok JHP which has an OAL of 1.215. Win. 230gr. ball ammo has an OAL of 1.265. both of the latter chamber and fire fine.

Given the drastic difference in OAL, combined with the natural shape of a SWC, I am fairly sure that this gun was just not meant to feed SWCs. While I did not chrono the SWC factory stuff, recoil is about the same as ball ammo. Also the fact that the jams frequently occured while attempting to chamber the first round, leads me to beleive that bullet shape and OAL is the culprit.

I will have to see if they chamber in my other .45 autos so they do not go to waste.
Thanks again,

66rambler

11-23-2006, 09:31 AM	#1
66rambler XDTalk Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 57	JSWC Ammo in XD-45 Hello all, I got my XD-45 service model about 6 months ago. What made me buy it was the fact that it fit my hand like a glove, and that I had heard good things about it. I have not truly broken it in yet as I have only fired approx. 300 rds. through it. Those rds. ranged from JHPs (Fed, Speer, etc.) to 230 ball (WWB). I had experienced no feed failures whatsoever. I came into a great deal on factory new Federal jacketed Semi-Wadcutters, and Rem. JSWCs as well. This is match-grade ammo. I figured that the XD would eat 'em right up as I had no problems with other ammo. Wrong! Both magazines were tried, and I had failure to feed during initial slide drop, and every 2 or 3 rds. when it did fire. This was the case with both magazines. These were all "nose-up" jams. Here is the question: Has anyone tried shooting .45 SWC ammo in their XD-45s, and have you experience the same feeding problem? I have other .45s (S&W 4566, Kimber Custom Royal) and have not had a feed problem with SWC ammo in the past. I was hoping to use all this new ammo to break in the XD. It doesn't seem that I will be able to. Thanks in advance, 66rambler __________________ Freedom aint free ! Thank you Vets and current warriors! Last edited by 66rambler : 11-23-2006 at 09:33 AM.

11-23-2006, 04:34 PM	#2
Sixgunner XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Charleston, WV Posts: 8	SWC handloads I have used my SWC handloads in my XD Service Model .45 ACP without problem. Bullets were 185 and 200 grain, some cast, some Berry's plated. I typically use 5.5 grains of W231 for around 900 fps. Like you, I initially bought a box of 100 rounds of factory ammunition for break-in purposes, though I used Winchester 230 grain ball. No problems whatsoever. The only thing I can think of that is causing your problem is the fact that, as you say, your ammunition is "match grade". That may mean it is loaded to comparatively low velocity, thereby generating comparatively low recoil energy. That being the case, the XD recoil spring may be too strong, causing the failures to feed that you describe. Do you notice (when you feed and fire the match ammunition) that it seems lighter, with less recoil? Can you find velocity data for your factory ammunition that fed properly and compare it to the data for the ammunition that failed to feed? If there's a significant difference in velocity between the two, this may be an indicator the match ammunition does not generate enough recoil energy to fully force the slide to the rear, therefore not creating enough forward travel (and attendant energy) to strip the next round from the magazine. I think that if you determine my theory to be correct, your options would be to use only higher energy ammunition or obtain a lighter recoil spring for match loads. Last edited by Sixgunner : 11-23-2006 at 04:47 PM.

11-23-2006, 08:21 PM	#4
66rambler XDTalk Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 57	Thanks for the response guys, I beleive the problem to be with the pistol not being able to chamber the shorter cartridge. The Rem. "Targetmaster" 185 gr. JSWCs OAL is 1.170. The Federal "Gold Medal" 185 gr. FMJ-SWCs OAL is 1.165. Both of these are much shorter than the Federal 165 gr. Hydra-shok JHP which has an OAL of 1.215. Win. 230gr. ball ammo has an OAL of 1.265. both of the latter chamber and fire fine. Given the drastic difference in OAL, combined with the natural shape of a SWC, I am fairly sure that this gun was just not meant to feed SWCs. While I did not chrono the SWC factory stuff, recoil is about the same as ball ammo. Also the fact that the jams frequently occured while attempting to chamber the first round, leads me to beleive that bullet shape and OAL is the culprit. I will have to see if they chamber in my other .45 autos so they do not go to waste. Thanks again, 66rambler __________________ Freedom aint free ! Thank you Vets and current warriors!

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11-23-2006, 05:36 PM	#3
JohnC XDTalk Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Missouri Posts: 60	The .45 service doesn't seem to like factory SWC loads. Mine is reliable with SWC handloads but I know several people that cannot get theirs to run with any SWC load, factory or handload. My .45 tactical will eat anything. I would stick with a truncated cone or round nose bullet in the service model. I handload cast TC bullets in different weights for a XD.40 service and both of the XD .45s along with various 1911s without any problems at all. I've started replacing all SWC and RN bullets as they run out with the TC. I know my explanation didn't help you out much. Maybe you can work a trade with someone or just save them for other pistols. Good luck.