New XD .40. Couple questions.

2354 Views 24 Replies 11 Participants Last post by therooster, Apr 8, 2005

Integratedj

Discussion Starter · Apr 2, 2005

I just got a new Service .40 with Trijicon sights. Paid $450 OTD for it.
Finish on it is what I expected of the XD after reading around on here for about a month.

My questions are
1. What exactly is the point of changing out the guide rod and recoil spring on these? Is it simply for a lower recoil feel, or is there something inferior with the stock rod and spring?
2. Are the sights on these typically set up for Point of Aim, or for 6 o'clock?
3. Is changing caliber done by simply changing barrels out? and what calibers can I change to. Just 9mm, or will it also convert to the .357SIG?
4. Does any one here use the magwell add on from pistol-gear.com? How solid is it, and does it cause any snag when used in CCW?

I used the serach feature for some other questions I had, but these ones turned up way too many results.

Thanks for all of the answers I have gotten here in the past, and for those above,
IJ

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[TASF]Overkill

· #2 · Apr 2, 2005

1. What exactly is the point of changing out the guide rod and recoil spring on these? Is it simply for a lower recoil feel, or is there something inferior with the stock rod and spring?
2. Are the sights on these typically set up for Point of Aim, or for 6 o'clock?
3. Is changing caliber done by simply changing barrels out? and what calibers can I change to. Just 9mm, or will it also convert to the .357SIG?
4. Does any one here use the magwell add on from pistol-gear.com? How solid is it, and does it cause any snag when used in CCW?

1) Reduced recoil feel, as well as the ability to adjust the spring for the shooter / handload you may be using. Lighter loads, you'll need a lighter spring to keep it cycling. Some of us are more confident with a one-piece guiderod and washer, as there are a few instances of the stock two-piece guide-rod "gurnading" and sproinging out the front, causing all sorts of weirdness. Don's rod is easier to clean than the stock guide rod (More an issue for XDV10's). Eventually you'll need to replace the stock one anyway, so replacing it with a prettier aftermarket one now, and then only having to buy a replacement spring instead of the whole assembly. Win win win.

2) Manual says the XD uses 6 o'clock. But it varies from ammo to ammo, pistol to pistol, and shooter to shooter. Figure out what works for you.

3) If you have a .40s&w or a .357sig, you can change to all three XD calibers.

4) Yeah, someone does.

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03RangerXLT

· #3 · Apr 2, 2005

can't answer all your questions, but...

1. The aftermarket guide rods contain less parts, therefor are less likely to malfunction. I myself have had a "critical malfunction" where the stock recoil spring assembly gernaded on me and cause my XD to not function and left me with a hot gun (round in chamber, gun in battery). This seems like a problem that mostly happens with the .40cal XD. Also, changing to a heavier spring lessens the "felt" recoil. I am thinking it slows down the slide in its rearward movement.

3. All you need to do to change caliber with the XD is drop in the new barrel. It is my understandign that some of the aftermarket barrels need just a littel minor tweaking with a dremel to get them to fit just right. I also think that you can go from a .357 to .40 or 9mm, .40 to .357 or 9mm, but can't change the 9mm to any other caliber. Changing the barrel out also gives you the option of going to a longer conpensated barrell, or a custom threaded barrel for whatever (legal) uses you might have for that.

Now I could be wrong about some or all of this

But I hope it helped.

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03RangerXLT

· #4 · Apr 2, 2005

Damn you you shirt head bastartd. Yours posted just before mine did.

[TASF]Overkill

· #5 · Apr 2, 2005

Ha! You suck!! I win!

<flex>

03RangerXLT

· #6 · Apr 2, 2005

you'd better check yourself before I snatch that shirt off the top your head! :twisted: lol

Integratedj

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 2, 2005

Thanks for the responses. I looked at the guide rods and noticed it is a 1 piece. I really like that more than the original one, one will be ordered shortly for it.
I am also most likely ordering "the answer" holster for it as well.

So, overkill, do you shoot naked as well????
IJ

Edit to add: these mags look a whole lot like Berreta mags to me, anyone done conversions on berreta mags?

03RangerXLT

· #8 · Apr 2, 2005

please don't answer that :?

hahaha

Olgord

· #9 · Apr 3, 2005

Integratedj said:
4. Does any one here use the magwell add on from pistol-gear.com? How solid is it, and does it cause any snag when used in CCW?
IJ

I use an OWB holster and have not experienced any snags. I can't imagine using a magwell with an IWB. I would think it uncomfortable and create a snagging issue. Just my opinion.

Olgord

[TASF]Overkill

· #10 · Apr 3, 2005

You can use beretta mags in the XD if you drill the mag catch hole in the front. I believe they extend just a TINY amount out the bottom though.

And I've not yet shotten naked, but man, I would do it just because. Unfortunately, it would be inappropriate to post anything here as far as proof goes.

Integratedj

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 3, 2005

There is a video of me bumping my AK naked, but it is not pretty, and definately not on the net and never will be.

Is it normal for the disc on the front of the guide rod to have a small gap between it and the slide?

IJ

03RangerXLT

· #12 · Apr 3, 2005

Am I missing something about the sport of shooting by wearing my clothes????? Is there another side to shooting I don't know about? This turns my world upside down.

Integratedj

Discussion Starter · #13 · Apr 3, 2005

03RangerXLT said:
Am I missing something about the sport of shooting by wearing my clothes????? Is there another side to shooting I don't know about? This turns my world upside down.

There are also girls present in my video, so I had good reason for the nudity

I just looked at a lot of different pics of the XD, and all of them had the guide rod against the slide with no gap on it, mine has a small gap between it and the slide, Normal? I looked at a pic I took of mine, and I cannot see the gap, so maybe all have them and you just can't see it in the pics.

I also read a couple of posts about Speer Gold dots not feeding properly. Is this a common prob, or a random occurance? Gold dots are my ammo of choice, so I hope they work. I am hopefully going to be able to shoot it tomorrow, or definately next weekend.
Thanks again for all of the answers.
IJ

FatMatt1981

· #14 · Apr 3, 2005

Same goes for me on all the replies.
I use the Magloc frame plug, and the Bumper Pads from Pistolgear.
I love the easy slam dunk you can do with loaded mags....plus it's a non permanant upgrade.
If ya don't like it....take it out and use it for different applications.
Enjoy the forum bro. I can't seem to get enough of it.
Lots of info...plus similar loons like myself :wink:

Integratedj

Discussion Starter · #15 · Apr 4, 2005

Ok, I just bought some 165gr speer Gold dots for the XD, loaded up, removed the slide, and put the mag in to check for the mag catch clearance. I have almost 2x the space from the bullet to the catch as the other xd40 in the pic post. Did springfield possibly get it fixed, or am I just damn lucky? Either way, as long as that prob never occurs with me I am happy.

My only gripe regaurding function with this gun is the mags, Mine are damn near impossible to load the 10th through 12th rds. They are 12 rd mags, but it feels like I am trying to force extra rounds into a 10rd mag. Hopefully it breaks in a little and gets easier. I like that it is so stiff for reliable feeding, but damn, mine is a pain to load up.
IJ

[TASF]Overkill

· #16 · Apr 5, 2005

The mags will definitely break in. However, I'm still the only person who can get that 12th round into my mags.

BeardXXXd

· #17 · Apr 5, 2005

[TASF said:
Overkill]However, I'm still the only person who can get that 12th round into my mags.

::cough:: sissy boy ::cough::

Integratedj

Discussion Starter · #18 · Apr 5, 2005

Ok, I'm glad it's not just me. I am used to 1911 and AK mags, and they are soooo much easier to load up, especially if in a hurry.
IJ

Snake-eater 1

· #19 · Apr 5, 2005

Integratedj said:
Is it normal for the disc on the front of the guide rod to have a small gap between it and the slide?

IJ

It's normal on the Service (4") model with a stock recoil rod/spring.

Integratedj

Discussion Starter · #20 · Apr 5, 2005

Cool, thanks for that on the guide rod.
IJ

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