Actually—and I am not a fan of the XD series, at all—their reliability is not an area I have an issue with.

Every one that I’ve owned was 100% reliable, with probably a couple of thousand rounds aggregate through 4 pistols, in 9mm, .40, and .45.

Other area—their mushy trigger, the top-heavy design, as well as the issues acknowledged above, are my main dislikes.

 

I wouldnt say less reliable than xyz, I would say "Sketchy enough track record that would prevent some from using them in any role outside of competition.

Ive seen grip safety failures, failure to feed on quite a few XD's over the years. Having said that, if you take more than your share of training, youll see Glocks choke out too. Not very often though.

 

^ That's weird, because I am almost guaranteed to see at least one Glock choke in every class I've taken.

Granted, it's usually end-user related issues which stem from ignorance or lack-of-maintenance or improper modification, but that's the same that I see of owners of the XD-platform guns - or any other guns, for that matter.

( And I honestly think I see more of this with the Glock and M&P striker-fired guns because there's simply soooooooo many of them. By odds alone, it's almost unavoidable that someone in the class does something to cause a stoppage or, alternatively, that there's some freak breakage or just that some small part has reached its nominal life-span a little earlier than what the shooter would have expected. )

Tercel89, this has been hashed and re-hashed:

http://www.xdtalk.com/threads/are-xds-crap.212001/ (my specific replies: http://www.xdtalk.com/posts/3548868/ and http://www.xdtalk.com/posts/3549401/)
http://www.xdtalk.com/threads/xd-performance-during-training-classes.271762/ (my specific reply: http://www.xdtalk.com/posts/4817305/)
http://www.xdtalk.com/threads/why-is-the-glock-better.250685/ (my specific reply: http://www.xdtalk.com/posts/4322189/)

Then there's the granddaddy of the ones on this Forum: http://www.xdtalk.com/threads/cutti...g-through-the-hype-and-myths-is-the-xd-good-enough-for-professional-use.156561/

All the way to one which was cited most recently....

http://www.xdtalk.com/threads/springfield-xd-mcrib.402537/ (I replied several times in this thread, including specifically addressing the grip safety concern)

As for long-term durability/reliability and what's seen/known of typical failures for the double-stacker, striker-fired XD and XDm - Springfield xdm 9mm mags

Overall, the reality is that no matter what gun we own, we owe it to ourselves - particularly if the gun is a serious-use one: be it for duty, defense, competition, or just to put meat on one's table - to understand its service/maintenance needs as well as to be able to assess, without any illusions that may come from "pride of ownership" its weaknesses and shortfalls.

The XD/XDms do suffer from a somewhat less reliable/durable magazine setup as well as undeniably incur the possibility of grip-safety failure (or, immeasurably more likely, the failure of the shooter to properly manipulate/actuate this control surface). Similarly, it's trigger is definitely sub-par, and the reciprocating mass - as well as overall weight - are on the high side of the field. Aftermarket support is limited, and there exists a void in terms of armorer knowledge (thanks, Springfield Armory ) and also with respect to true long-term-use/high-volume-of-fire service schedules.

Overall, it was the last factor - that lack of long-term heavy-use data and the resulting lack of a known maintenance schedule - that really made things come to a head for me at about the time that I made that post on M4Carbine.net. At that time, I literally had the cash in my pocket to purchase four (4) Glocks outright, to start the replacement of my HD/SD and range/training XDm pairs - plus overhaul all support gear and the purchase of a necessary cache of mags.

Strange as it was, it was my Glock-fanatic buddy who actually managed to calm me down enough for me to see that given what I'd seen of the reliability/durability of my guns, maybe I'd allowed peer-pressure to finally wear me down... That, combined with what I found via the search results I'd posted on M4C.net really allowed me to see for myself that the XDm is no less of a choice than the Glock.

 

Anecdotally, of course.

 

People become emotionally invested in what they've spent their money ... good, bad or indifferent. Guns, cars, cellphones, beer, sports.

This is why I believe everyone should own multiple styles and brands of guns ... then everyone would be happy and the only arguments on gun forums would be from Rusty about lib crap.

 

I own a G34 and a XD 5'' tac (actually multiples in both brands). If someone wants to PM me I'll give you my shipping address and you are more than welcome to start sending me high quality factory ammo by the case and I will start a test to see which one (brand) lasts the longest.

 

The problem with all of this crap is you tell me an acceptable failure rate. 99.999999% 99.0%. What exactly do you feel is good enough?

Then... What failed... Mag, ammo, or firearm. Of all problems with the firearm... Was it maintenance related, modification related. And I'm talking the actual firearm, not the user. How many failures have you seen that you knew was the actual firearm?

Basically its all biased hearsay, opinion or anecdotal at best. There is no major firearm, from any reputable maker, that you can't use to bet your life on. Any problems that may exist, get light shined on them. Everyone knows what is good to go, and what is questionable. After that, all you are doing is arguing over split hairs and decimal places. Every single mechanical device or system fails. Every single user of mechanical systems or devices fails. Always buy estaished quality stuff, and go have fun.

 

People become emotionally invested in what they've spent their money ... good, bad or indifferent. Guns, cars, cellphones, beer, sports.

This is why I believe everyone should own multiple styles and brands of guns ... then everyone would be happy and the only arguments on gun forums would be from Rusty about lib crap.

That’s why I’m not fused to any one brand or style, though I am biased towards DA/SA vs striker. The XD Service was my first pistol, it has run well and I shoot it well, so it’s like a loyal dog. I’ve owned a number of different pistols and given them all their opportunity to impress me, only a few remain. I recently bought my 2nd CZ, so maybe that’s “my brand”?

I’ve been through the same kind of experience with autos/trucks. After all that I’ve been through, I’ll probably always have a Toyota truck.

 

I have two Glocks and one XDM. I've run them all through demanding classes and all have run perfectly. In all the classes I've taken I've seen one case of a M&P not running right and one of a new 5" Kimber 1911 not running well. My XDM always works no matter the ammo or how dirty it is and I've even tried to make it fail with limp-wristing and it won't. Exactly like my Glocks!

 

Very good to hear . Hey what year did the XD get rid of their rust and get better roll pins ? I heard someone say that the striker retainer roll pin was replaced with better/stronger ones around 2009 . Is this true ?

 

So what reliability issues have you had with the 4 XDs you own? How a pistol comes apart isn't really a reliability issue. What rust have you had? How many roll pins have broke? Have you replaced them with better ones? What other function failures have you experienced?

 

If I'm not careful how I store it, my 2005 (?) vintage XD40 Service will grow some rust. Not much, and easy enough to remove.

I replaced the striker pin in that same XD around 2013 or so. Thousands of rounds through it, and much dry firing. The pin was slightly bent.

Two reliability problems. 1) problem with my handloads. Tight chamber on all my XDs and XDS', must use Lee Factory Crimp Die for reliability. 2) Chipped locking block (look it up, known issue on some) on the subcompact. Springfield fixed it promptly with an upgraded part.

 

Ya, I don't consider roll pins as problems. Have plenty on hand replace regularly. They are just sacrificial parts. And not everyone will detail strip, but it should be done sort of regular to clean. Keeping clean is a reliability thing too. So ya, my roll pins get used and replaced.

 

At the advice of a friend that trains police officers and qualifies several departments, I got my wife a XDM. He says when a Glock or XD shows up for his training, they just work. It is rare for either to have problems. The only regret is I didn't pick up a second one at that price.
100% reliable out of the box and field stripping is tool free, as far as I can tell. Further than that, tools aren't a deal breaker.
If the XD has one mishap over the next 15K or so rounds, then it won't be as reliable as either of my Glocks. That doesn't make it a poor choice though.

 

If the XD has one mishap over the next 15K or so rounds, then it won't be as reliable as either of my Glocks. That doesn't make it a poor choice though.

So, here's the question - how do you define that 15K rounds?

Importantly, you'll want to insure that your use of the XD matches that of those Glocks: the same cleaning and maintenance schedule - and that you also hold their usage conditions to the same, as best as you can. And towards this, how objective will this assessment be? was there a log-book kept for the weapons and shooting schedule - or is this by "feel" only? Finally in this area, how can you be certain to address possible mechanical issues before they arise? Note that there is currently little consensus as to preventative replacements of critical small components such as the trigger spring on the Glock - how will these concerns be normalized across platforms?

Will the criteria exclude magazine-effected problems and/or ammo problems? With the latter, has the gun been sufficiently vetted for possible unique-gun:unique-ammo issues prior to the start of the test period?

I'm not suggesting that you don't do the test - or that it's somehow not a good idea or invalid. Rather, I'm trying to learn about the parameters you've set, and also to spur discussion on what/how these comparisons should involve or be set up.

 

Keep your panty hose out of a bunch. None of my Glocks have ever had a stoppage. I expect the XDM will hold to that as well.

 

^ My panty hose is not in a bunch. At least not today.

I am simply looking for how you are validating the test.

15K rounds without any lube is very different from 15K rounds with lube.

15K rounds in the relative sterility of an indoor range is very different from 15K rounds of competition or training use in which the gun may get exposed to the elements and/or be "grounded" and thus exposed to more dirt/sand/mud.

But most importantly, how the tester normalizes service of small parts between the guns is one that may most affect its outcome: since 15K exceeds the service interval of at least the recoil spring/RSA - if not other small components - this becomes a potentially big confounding factor, particularly as with the XD-platform, we have even less consensus (and certainly no definition from any "armorers," as SA has, in their wisdom , refused to allow this gun to be end-user serviceable, even at the agency level).

I can most likely go 15K rounds without failure with any platform, but I can tell everyone without a doubt that I can make those same platforms fail within the first 1K rounds - if not just the first 100 - by swinging certain variables one way or the other.

At test like this has to have context, and I'm simply asking that you keep that context in-mind.

 

My XD Mod2 just gobbles ammo without complaining and fits my hand to a T. I couldn’t care less what a YouTube tactitard has to say about one. His opinion to me is about as valuable as bellybutton lint.
Unless you’re retarded there’s not a striker gun made that’s complicated or difficult. I’m amazed at the sheeple mentality that exists on the net these days. Let one talking head declare one gun better than another and the masses are ready to trade their gun at a loss to buy what “Rambo” claims is better. Get settled on what works for you and invest in shooting as much ammo as you can through it. You’ll be a lot better off should you be faced with the grim reality of having to defend yourself with a firearm.

 

The Striker retaining pin is not really a roll pin but a roll SPRING with the opening that should face to the left or right and not fore or aft like most are from the factory. The SPRING can only spring properly if force is applied to the side. The fore or aft position allows them to get bent, partly Springfield's own problem. They could use a little quality control on the assembly line and the could make things more clear in maintenance manuals. I don't blame Saban or Val or whoever is placing the spring opening toward the front as it seems logical, but it is wrong. I have three new XD's all with the spring/pin oriented to the front. I will knock them out and place the same ones back in properly oriented to one side or the other. (I always go right, because it suits me, but it doesn't really matter)

That is the source of most retaining pin problems.

 

I have never shot competitively, but do hunt with and carry XD models. My first was an original full sized coyote colored XD .45 that I have used while deer hunting in the SC LowCountry swamps. It's been submerged in muddy swamp water several times but has never failed to feed or fire properly. I've used it to kill untold numbers of cotton mouth moccasins, copperheads, and an occasional rattler; as well as, a couple of deer and coyotes.......even a beaver and it's never had an issue. My everyday carry is an XDS .45 that's on my hip 24-7/365 and has been ever since the model was first introduced and sold. My FFL refuses to carry Glocks and will not do any repair or work on a Glock, so he had a lot of influence on my original decision when purchasing that first XD.

One thing I've never heard any one mention is that an XD has gotten out of battery........unlike the problems once quite common with earlier model Glocks. That was also a major factor in my initial decision to go with the XD. BTW, I own a couple of S&W models including a 9mm Shield which was a freebee from Palmetto State Armory with the purchase of one of their Freedom model AR-15s. I'll never replace my XDS with the Shield as my EDC but do use it as a back-up piece. I happen to own several Taurus models ......mainly revolvers, but do have a Millenium Pro .45, I previously hunted with a Ruger Security Six .357 and a Ruger Redhawk .44 mag. before switching to the XD due to the weight differential and a problem with a bad back. Hell, I even own a High Point 9mm that's been indestructable..........all this points to the fact that as previously noted no matter the manufacturer and the bad publicity that's generated on YouTube or Facebook the end result is that like most other products which are made by human hands there could always be a problem with a few, but one person's bias towards a specific brand and the fact that they take to social media to make their opinions known isn't an indication of the true quality and dependability of the product.

I depend on my XDS to protect my life and I'm not about to change due to some self proclaimed know-it-all's video presentation on social media. BTW, I happen to also prefer a grip safety over a manual safety and will always go in that direction when it comes to my choice in a personal defense firearm.

 

I have never shot competitively, but do hunt with and carry XD models. My first was an original full sized coyote colored XD .45 that I have used while deer hunting in the SC LowCountry swamps. It's been submerged in muddy swamp water several times but has never failed to feed or fire properly. I've used it to kill untold numbers of cotton mouth moccasins, copperheads, and an occasional rattler; as well as, a couple of deer and coyotes.......even a beaver and it's never had an issue. My everyday carry is an XDS .45 that's on my hip 24-7/365 and has been ever since the model was first introduced and sold. My FFL refuses to carry Glocks and will not do any repair or work on a Glock, so he had a lot of influence on my original decision when purchasing that first XD.

One thing I've never heard any one mention is that an XD has gotten out of battery........unlike the problems once quite common with earlier model Glocks. That was also a major factor in my initial decision to go with the XD. BTW, I own a couple of S&W models including a 9mm Shield which was a freebee from Palmetto State Armory with the purchase of one of their Freedom model AR-15s. I'll never replace my XDS with the Shield as my EDC but do use it as a back-up piece. I happen to own several Taurus models ......mainly revolvers, but do have a Millenium Pro .45, I previously hunted with a Ruger Security Six .357 and a Ruger Redhawk .44 mag. before switching to the XD due to the weight differential and a problem with a bad back. Hell, I even own a High Point 9mm that's been indestructable..........all this points to the fact that as previously noted no matter the manufacturer and the bad publicity that's generated on YouTube or Facebook the end result is that like most other products which are made by human hands there could always be a problem with a few, but one person's bias towards a specific brand and the fact that they take to social media to make their opinions known isn't an indication of the true quality and dependability of the product.

I depend on my XDS to protect my life and I'm not about to change due to some self proclaimed know-it-all's video presentation on social media. BTW, I happen to also prefer a grip safety over a manual safety and will always go in that direction when it comes to my choice in a personal defense firearm.

There’ve been more than a couple OOB XD incidents reported here over the years. XD’s are not immune.

 

One thing I've never heard any one mention is that an XD has gotten out of battery........

^ To which Cuda66 replied...

There’ve been more than a couple OOB XD incidents reported here over the years. XD’s are not immune.

In terms of the "Kaboom," as Cuda66 noted, there's been a few cases over the years. It's not common, but it's there, and the reports have either made their way here or originated here on XDTalk.

As for whether or not the gun can be induced into an "out-of-battery" state (without an out-of-battery detonation), I can absolutely assure everyone here that when the gun gets dirty enough (we're talking actual sand/dirt/mud, not just carbon fouling) - particularly without sufficient lubrication - it is among the first stoppages to manifest. Similarly, recurring OOBs as manifestation of true mechanical problems (extractor tension or physical defect) has been among the noted issues of the XD-S series.

.........all this points to the fact that as previously noted no matter the manufacturer and the bad publicity that's generated on YouTube or Facebook the end result is that like most other products which are made by human hands there could always be a problem with a few, but one person's bias towards a specific brand and the fact that they take to social media to make their opinions known isn't an indication of the true quality and dependability of the product.

Absolutely.

Anything made by man can - and will - fail.

 

My XDs have been flawless so far.

I gave myself an opportunity to blow up my 5.25 Match by failing to load powder into a reload and creating a squib... But I knew better than to continue. Other than that one single self-inflicted stoppage, never a problem on any of them.

 

^ +1.

 

I’ve never had my two XD or XDM fail on a standard factory round. My sloppy reloads are another matter.

No parts breakage in 2-3000 rounds each; both were used before I purchased them. I tend to field strip and clean every 500 rounds or so.

I don’t own any Glocks, just because of the frame fit; I expect they would run just as well—and I might need an extra barrel for lead reloads. Or not.

 

I know about the lead buildup in Glocks, but I think you are good for 500 rounds and a through lead cleaning. For those that don't know, the Glocks with the polygonal barrels (Before Gen 5 mostly) were prone to developing a lead build up that increased till it got enough buildup to rupture the barrel on the next round. It is rare and unheard of with normal plated bullets.

 

My XD9 Service was my first pistol.

I’ve bought and sold a number of pistols since then, even ones that others swear are the best pistols on the planet.

The XD remains as my nightstand pistol.

 

Mine has close to 5K down the pipe, and it has one insatiable appetite. From factory loads to my handloads, it chows down, and begs for more. The rails on the frame show very little wear, and it doesn't rattle like a maraca as I've seen some high-round count Blocks do.

 

I had a Glock 19 Gen 4 that had severe BTF (brass to the face) issues. I sent it in to Glock and they replaced everything they could to try and fix it. It still exhibited BTF with all sorts of factory ammo. I tried bringing it to a gunsmith and even had him install the Apex Tactical Failure Resistant Extractor for Glock - Gen 4. Still had the same BTF issues.

I sold it at a loss, and it has me definitely biased against Glocks now. I have heard that even some of the new Gen 5 Glocks are still having some BTF issues. I will say that I actually shot that Glock 19 quite well. It was very accurate for me, and I am sure it would have been reliable. I just couldn't get passed the BTF issues - something I have never experienced with any of my three XDM pistols. There are problems with all makes of guns and nothing is perfect. Go with what fits you best.