Question about recoil assembly life expectancy

a long time :wink:

If you stay with the factory, I would inspect the weld on the end to make sure it isn't cracked. It is a good practice every time you clean.

According to Springfield (I asked) they recommend changing the recoil assembly ever 2000 rounds or so. That seems in line with the usual wear life of recoil springs. Some guns like Walther P99 and HK P2000 claim a service life of 10,000 rounds but use a different captive spring design with helical flat springs instead of coils. Right now I am using Don's rod in my Service and changing springs out every 2K rounds. If you carry it is worth the assurance the gun has one less thing that may have failed.

I am still a little shy of 5,000 rounds in my 9mm, and have the stock guide rod... I have not experienced any sort of malfunction, or signs of the guide rod deteriorating in any way. I will buy a new guide rod one of these days.. probably another stock one.. Maybe one of Don's "suped-up" models.. I don't know...

At this point, I just don't see any reason to change the guide rod out.

Raymond

2k rounds is a good rule of thumb. However, they will probably last alot longer than that. The factory springs cost about as much as a box of WWB in my area - That is relatively cheap insurance.

J

I think that Springfield states the 2K round maintenance interval because they assume your XD will be a service/defensive weapon. Anyone who uses guns in a critical capacity usualy does his/her damndest to make sure everything is up to snuff and any weak links are removed from the system. A new spring assembly or a new spring is cheap insurance if your or someone elses life is on the line.

hey guys.. so if u wanna change out the old stock spring do you dissassemble the captive recoil ssystem and slip in the new spring then reassemble? or do you have to purchase an entirely new captive piece with rod and all? And if you disassemble/reassemble... how hard is it? how is it done?

You have to get an entire new assembly.

And Springfield Armory will not replace it, UNLESS you send them the entire pistol.

Eric_Oh said:

hey guys.. so if u wanna change out the old stock spring do you dissassemble the captive recoil ssystem and slip in the new spring then reassemble? or do you have to purchase an entirely new captive piece with rod and all? And if you disassemble/reassemble... how hard is it? how is it done?

Click to expand...

DO NOT try to disassemble the factory assembly and reuse it! You can get a new complete, captive assembly for about $15+s/h. It is the easiest part of all the internal parts to remove and replace. If you can remove the slide, you can replace the recoil spring. I've tried a few of the aftermarket springs/guide rods, but I prefer the stock system. I bet 9 out of 10 people prefer Don's Guide Rod over all others. If you want to try something different thant the factory system, try Don's.

J

Arkansas said:

Eric_Oh said:

hey guys.. so if u wanna change out the old stock spring do you dissassemble the captive recoil ssystem and slip in the new spring then reassemble? or do you have to purchase an entirely new captive piece with rod and all? And if you disassemble/reassemble... how hard is it? how is it done?

Click to expand...

DO NOT try to disassemble the factory assembly and reuse it! You can get a new complete, captive assembly for about $15+s/h. It is the easiest part of all the internal parts to remove and replace. If you can remove the slide, you can replace the recoil spring. I've tried a few of the aftermarket springs/guide rods, but I prefer the stock system. I bet 9 out of 10 people prefer Don's Guide Rod over all others. If you want to try something different thant the factory system, try Don's.

J

Click to expand...

+ 1 on the DO NOT TRY TO REFURBISH USED ASSEMBLIES! I got new recoil assemblies (before I bought Don's rod) from Springfield for $ 7.95 @ +s/h. I do find Don's system a better solution as it seems the whole gun cycles smoother.

haha... don't freak out guys.. lol... i'm not gonna start tearing apart my xd. lol... that things my baby, i'd never do anything without knowing it was alright to do so... and i've been using the dgr with a 22# wolff from oldschool. I was just asking... because i took out the stock piece and put it away very soon after i got my xd so i couldn't remember if hte stock assembly was built for disassembly like that so i thought i'd ask. I actually want to try out the 20# so i'm waitin on usps to deliver now. Thanks for the prompt reply tho. appreciate it.

I have the 22lb spring in my 40 but im going to order a 18 and 20lb spring.The 22lb spring is to heavy for my wife.I would go over 20lb on a 9mm.

I meant wouldnt go over 20lb spring in the 9mm

I use #20 in the XD-9 Service and it works great, nice smooth cycle and no malfunctions so far. I think the #22 is a bit much for a 9, may be ok for a 40.