XD SubCompact 9mm Chambers Fine But Sporadically Won't Fire

2256 Views 32 Replies 16 Participants Last post by Minuteman, 2 mo ago

JujuVyez

Discussion Starter · 5 mo ago

I'm a casual shooter, need some help/advice from the experts here.

I just bought a 3" XD subcompact in 9mm and encountered an odd stoppage when I took it to the range for the first time. Every few rounds, I'd get a round that chambered correctly but the striker indicator was not locked back. Sure enough, when I pulled the trigger nothing happened. I put 50 rounds through it and ran into the same thing a few more times before I figured I'd got a lemon and cut my trip short.

I have a 5" XD in 45ACP and never once had a stoppage, even after a couple of thousand rounds. So I was stumped. This is stock gun, fresh out of the box.

Looking back, I'm wondering if the problem with the new gun might have been the ammo. The range guy selected it, and I didn't think anything of it, but it wasn't a brand I recognized. I was thinking maybe the pressure was enough to chamber the next round but sporadically not enough to cock the weapon. Is that possible?

If it is the ammo, are there any specific brands or grains I should stick to to avoid this?

1 - 20 of 33 Posts

Mike51392

· #2 · 5 mo ago

Any properly loaded ammo should work

Reactions: 1

Mike51392

· #3 · 5 mo ago

Now thinking about it. If it had enough pressure to cycle the next round it should have reset the striker, odd

Reactions: 1

Alferd

· #4 · 5 mo ago

I'm not completely familar with how the subcompact works....but is it possible that the slide has to go back that 1-2 mm more to cock the weapon, despite having moved enough to chamber a round?

Mike51392

· #5 · 5 mo ago

I believe the striker resets way before a round is chambered

Reactions: 3

Saxdconvert

· #6 · 5 mo ago

JujuVyez said:
I'm a casual shooter, need some help/advice from the experts here.

I just bought a 3" XD subcompact in 9mm and encountered an odd stoppage when I took it to the range for the first time. Every few rounds, I'd get a round that chambered correctly but the striker indicator was not locked back. Sure enough, when I pulled the trigger nothing happened. I put 50 rounds through it and ran into the same thing a few more times before I figured I'd got a lemon and cut my trip short.

I have a 5" XD in 45ACP and never once had a stoppage, even after a couple of thousand rounds. So I was stumped. This is stock gun, fresh out of the box.

Looking back, I'm wondering if the problem with the new gun might have been the ammo. The range guy selected it, and I didn't think anything of it, but it wasn't a brand I recognized. I was thinking maybe the pressure was enough to chamber the next round but sporadically not enough to cock the weapon. Is that possible?

If it is the ammo, are there any specific brands or grains I should stick to to avoid this?

I never use "range ammo" nor accept reloads from anyone I don't know and trust. Get a box of Federal American Eagle target ammo. See how it runs. I also like Speer Lawman training ammo. I have never had any problems with either of these manufacturers.

Reactions: 1

Mike51392

· #7 · 5 mo ago (Edited)

I reload, I trust my loads more than factory. With that said I agree 💯 never trust other people's reloads. Out of all my XD'S I have only had failures with 1 brand of ammo, it was Winchester steel cased.

Watch Font Wood Clock Metal

This crap I remember feeling the friction on the steel cases just loading them into my mags. It was dirty as well I'm sure they used the cheapest components they could possibly find. Then they slapped USA Forged on the box 😂.

Keep in mind **** Happens. Iv had ammo from Respectable Manufacturers fail. It's important to think about what type of failure you just had and what to do to resolve that failure. Most people's reaction is to rack the gun and chamber a new round. Big No No! If it's a Squibb load Boom!

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Reactions: 3

jonb32248

· #8 · 5 mo ago

Lubed it enough before range time?

HngnHunter

· #9 · 5 mo ago

jonb32248 said:
Lubed it enough before range time?

He said it was new out of the box. Last ones I got had plenty of lube.

Mike51392

· #10 · 5 mo ago

jonb32248 said:
Lubed it enough before range time?

No No No Nnnooooo! XD's don't need to be lubed. I have proven this with a Service 9,40 Sub-Compact 9,40 & Tactical 40 - Even cleaning I have consistently gone over 2k rounds between cleanings.

Reactions: 1

HngnHunter

· #11 · 5 mo ago

The striker will generally reset by the time the breech is half open. If the disconnector is hanging up the sear will not pop back up to catch the striker. I find this really odd on a new pistol from the factory. Was this a new/old stock gun? Bought from a reputable store? Can you simulate the problem during dry fire?

Reactions: 1

Big Lou

· #12 · 5 mo ago

My advice is to properly clean the striker chamber. Check the firing pin. Check the firing pin hole. After properly assembling, and oiling give it a new ammo. If problem continues, send it in for repair on SA dime. Just a thought.

Reactions: 5

JujuVyez

Discussion Starter · #13 · 5 mo ago

Thanks for all the feedback here. I just did a field strip to clean and add some light lube. I can confirm that in dry fire testing, the striker resets well before the breech is open enough to eject a case. In dry firing I can't recreate the issue. I'm going to the range today and will try some different ammo, will report back on how that goes.

Reactions: 1

Big Lou

· #14 · 5 mo ago

JujuVyez said:
Thanks for all the feedback here. I just did a field strip to clean and add some light lube. I can confirm that in dry fire testing, the striker resets well before the breech is open enough to eject a case. In dry firing I can't recreate the issue. I'm going to the range today and will try some different ammo, will report back on how that goes.

In your cleaning and lube, did you clean out the striker channel? Also make sure no lube got into the striker channel. It it to be completely dry at all times. Good luck at the range.

JujuVyez

Discussion Starter · #15 · 5 mo ago

Big Lou said:
In your cleaning and lube, did you clean out the striker channel? Also make sure no lube got into the striker channel. It it to be completely dry at all times. Good luck at the range.

I usually just place it on the parts where metal touches metal. I didn't do anything with the striker channel, it's not something I usually mess with and I'd need to see a video on that before attempting it.

At the range I used Winchester and Fiochi ammo brands and put about 100 rounds through it with no stoppages, so maybe it was just needing a cleaning. It's still odd to me. The 45 was good straight out of the box and I probably went way too long before giving it its first cleaning. In any case, I'm glad the issue seems to be resolved. Will do a few more range trips just to be sure.

Big Lou

· #16 · 5 mo ago

JujuVyez said:
I usually just place it on the parts where metal touches metal. I didn't do anything with the striker channel, it's not something I usually mess with and I'd need to see a video on that before attempting it. At the range I used Winchester and Fiochi ammo brands and put about 100 rounds through it with no stoppages, so maybe it was just needing a cleaning. It's still odd to me. The 45 was good straight out of the box and I probably went way too long before giving it its first cleaning. In any case, I'm glad the issue seems to be resolved. Will do a few more range trips just to be sure.

If you were having light primer strikes, cleaning out the striker channel is a must. It is one of the biggest causes of the problem. You can do it. It's easy. YouTube is your friend. All you need is some Q-tips and alcohol. Take the back of the slide off. Watch out for the plungers under pressure. Then slide out the striker assembly. Clean the assembly, then chamber with the q-tips and alcohol. Put it back together. All of 10mins. I'll try to find a video to help.

Big Lou

· #17 · 5 mo ago

At the 3min mark.

Reactions: 3

JujuVyez

Discussion Starter · #18 · 5 mo ago

Big Lou said:
At the 3min mark.

Perfect, thanks!

Big Lou

· #19 · 5 mo ago

JujuVyez said:
Perfect, thanks!

You're welcome

jonb32248

· #20 · 5 mo ago

If this is a new gun the striker channel won't be dirty yet.

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