Sidearms & Scatterguns Springfield Armory XDS FTF and light off center primer strikes???

[Shoottothrill]

Well after everyone saying how great this little pistol was I decided to buy one. Went to the range today and fired about 120 rounds of both Winchester white box and Magtech 230 grain ball. I had at least 7 failure to fires out of 120 rounds. Looks to be off center light primer strikes. Anyone else having this issue? Is this something I can fix myself or did I get a lemon that needs to go back to Springfield Armory. Take a look at these pictures of the primers. Help?

<a href="http://s573.photobucket.com/user/79steeler_2009/media/IMG_7960.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i573.photobucket.com/albums/ss174/79steeler_2009/IMG_7960.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_7960.jpg"/></a>

 

[Tough Guy]

Don't know what to tell you about that but my XDS was shooting way low. I called Springfield and they sent me the tallest rear sight they have. I have them installed and will find out Tuesday how it shoots then. I'd give Springfield a call and see what they have to say.

 

[Hogshooter]

Welcome to the club. I have an XDS that has a like number of FTF and light primer strikes. It is being caused by a failure to go all the way into battery by about 1 MM. There are pages and pages of like problems regarding this pistol if you do a search on the net. Springfield says it is not enough lubrication and/or limp wristing that is causing the issue in their response to those that send their pistols back to them. I am certain that is not what is causing my issue but I am sending mine back to them just to hear them say it to me. Here is the text of the letter I am enclosing in the box to them. When I spoke to their customer service rep she was very sympathetic and while not saying so in direct words she agreed that they have an issue. Good luck with your gun. Here is the letter text.

Sirs,</SPAN>
I am returning my XDS serial # XXXXXXX for evaluation and repair as per your customer service rep Vickie B. The RMA # is XXXXXX. The issue with the firearm is that I am getting 2 – 3 light primer strikes and failure to fire out of 10 rds. This is being caused by the slide not going fully into battery by about 1 mm. I have cleaned and lubed the pistol with Rem Oil, CLP, and Slip 2000 EWL to no avail. When lubing, I have used a light lubrication as per your manual on page 36 at first and when that did not help, I have lubed it with various amounts of lubricant until it was dripping and still had issues. I have fired around 350 rds. of factory ammunition thru the gun and it should be “broken in”. I have been shooting handguns for over 40 yrs. Which includes competition with various 1911s, Glocks, Sigs, and HK firearms and have never had an issue with limp wristing. When doing a search on the internet, I see that there are many, many pages of post with the same issue that I am experiencing. The common answer people are getting back from SA is not enough lubrication and/or limp wristing. I hope that you can replicate this issue and get it repaired. If not, you have lost a SA customer. I purchased this gun as a large caliber concealed carry weapon and quite frankly, do not trust it to defend my life with it. I am continuing to carry a Glock 27 which is 100% reliable until this issue is resolved.</SPAN>

 

[corey4]

this is exactly why i got rid of my XDs. i liked the pistol, but i didn't trust it.

even though i never experienced a limp wrist FTF, it was way too easy to replicate. in a self defense situation, you never know if you will take an injury to your strong hand and cannot hold the gun with the "firm death grip gotta hold it like a man blah blah blah". so i wasn't willing to take the risk and picked up a sig 938 instead. i ran about 400 rounds thru mine. the recoil was fine, no big deal. mine also had off center light strikes, but it always went bang.

 

[Shoottothrill]

So after reading for a couple hours on the internet about lots of others having this issue I took the following action. I cleaned the pistol and then heated it up with a hairdryer and frog-lubed the hell out of it. I then applied frog-lube to the slide rails, top of the barrel and the frame rails generously. I also took out the firing pin mechanism and cleaned it out with a cue tip and put the assembly back dry as per suggestions on the internet. I went to the range again today and fired fifty Mag-tech 230 grain ball practice rounds out of it. I kept my arms stiff with my elbows locked tight. The gun functioned perfectly today. I'm still not sold on this as a defensive carry weapon yet as I feel it needs to show me it can continue to run without malfunction for at least 300 rounds. I also don't want a pistol that I have to use perfect form with to function properly. You never know when you will get into a less than ideal situation. I will continue to practice with this XD-s until I feel it is as close a possible to 100% reliable. If it doesn't get their by round 500 I will cut it loose.

 

[diverdon]

Shoottothrill, I have an XDs on order, I will be interested to here how your next few range trips go. If a good soak in frog lube is the cure I would be fine with that.

 

[Hogshooter]

Shoot...Try a double tap from the 3 yd. line and from a concealed holster point shooting with one hand as fast as you can safely. If it will function 100% that way you are good to go. Mine could not get thru 2 mags without a FTF using a 2 handed death grip and the gun dripping in Slip 2000 EWL. I also installed a Pierce Grip extension to assure a better grip and possible further prevent the gun from rocking in my hands. It went back to Springfield today. I will post in this thread what they have to say and / did regarding the issue.

 

[Shoottothrill]

Springfield Armory called me today since I had sent them an email with the picks. Had a nice conversation with one of there technical support guys. He said the problems I was having have to do with lubrication and not having my elbows locked tight during firing. He said the weapon is staying just slightly out of battery. So the customer support seems to be there. I told him I would continue to practice with it and see how it goes. Like I said in an earlier post, it ran much better for me after I Frog Lubed it and shot from an elbow locked out position, going thru fifty straight rounds without a hitch. I will shoot again soon and see how it goes, and report back.

 

[drglock]

I'm sorry but the problem isn't with the lube or limp wristing the gun ,not with this many people having problems with there XDS. I bought one two weeks ago and have had a few to do the same thing. Now I'm no world class shooter but have been shooting action pistol since 1998 in limit, limited 10, production and in open class and have put a few rounds down range. I also have a Glock 36 45acp which is about the same size as the XDS and have never had one problem with it.i really like the feal of the XDS but if it continues to have FTF issues it will not be a carry gun for me and for Springfield to be telling everyone that has a problem with the slide not fully closing because of limp wristing is BS. I'm no gunsmith but the problem seems to me is it needs a heavier recoil spring but what do I know I'm just a limp wrister.

My two cents.

 

[Hogshooter]

Totally agree with docglock...I wish I had a high speed camera like we had before I retired. I really think that when stripping a round from the mag, the rim is not sliding under the extractor as it should. I am assuming of course that it should operate like a 1911 extractor but what do I know. Once it is pushed into the chamber there isn't enough ass in the slide to pop the extractor over the rim due to the extractor tension. This is hard on the extractor and it isn't designed to "pop" over the cartridge rim. I fully expect that when mine comes back from SA there will be a note saying the same thing as all the others.

 

[Tough Guy]

Guess I'm gonna be the party pooper here. Now I did have a problem with my XDS but that problem was solved with a new rear sight from Springfield (no charge). She was shooting way low. The new, higher sight brought me up to spec. NO firing problems at all. Hope you get her figured out. I took her apart when I first got it, oiled it up and no oil since. Both my XD tac and XDS work like a charm.

 

[abizdafuzz]

I'm with TG here, I've got slightly over 500 rounds through my XDS and no firing issues to speak of. I have cleaned it once when I got the pistol, and then nothing since...no oil or anything just a quick wipe down on the outside to remove some powder residue. The only issue I've had, was at first riding the slide home on the first round and it not going into battery all the way, but once I read to use the slide stop only, I've never had an issue since.

 

[Shoottothrill]

I would like to see someone who is having a FTF problem with the XDS take it to a really good independent pistol smith to have it diagnosed. If I continue to have problems this is what I'm gonna do. This would give us an independent opinion on just what is going on with these little .45's. Maybe the slide to frame fit is just a little off on a few, or it's an ejector issue, or some other problem with manufacturing tolerances??? It may all be operator error, but I've been shooting handguns a long time and I'm sure there are others having problems that have more experience than I do. Going to shoot again this weekend and see if I can get it right.

 

[HPW]

I have the same off center primer strikes but have yet to get a ftf. At first I did have an issue feeding the first round but I was riding the slide too much. Now if I drop the stop it chambers fine. Hope you fellas get yours worked out.

 

[Shoottothrill]

So went to the range today and fired 100 rounds I bought at the range that I believe were reloads. The XDS functioned perfectly and I hadn't cleaned it since the last trip. So that's 150 rounds so far that have been problem free, and a total of about 270 fired thru the gun. I'm really starting to enjoy this .45. It seems that the frog lube and just keeping my arm and wrist good and stiff seems to have really made a difference. This .45 is surprisingly accurate for such a small pistol. Getting very easy to keep all rounds in the bull from 20'. I will continue to update as I shoot. I think I may have learned that smaller pistols are a little harder to learn to shoot well, it takes a little more concentration and practice to get good with one.

 

[Tough Guy]

I think I may have learned that smaller pistols are a little harder to learn to shoot well, it takes a little more concentration and practice to get good with one.

Yeap. I shake like a leaf when I'm shooting pistol. What I have to do to make up for that is time my shots out with the shake. Works purty well.

 

[Hogshooter]

Update on my XDS. Just received my pistol back from Springfield. No explanation except for the repair sheet. They replaced the extractor, lubed and test fired. They also replaced the rear sight with a taller one as the pistol was shooting 3-4 " low at 15 yds. Test target was included with 5 rds. fired into it at POA. I went out back to my range and ran a quick 25 rds. of reloads thru it with no issues and was shooting where I aimed. Time will tell but it is definitely an improvement over the original version. Still not going to carry it until I put at least another 100 trouble free rds. thru the gun.

 

[V-Taper]

I am really surprised. I carry a XDS and I have never had a problem. All three I have shot have been 100 percent reliable as well. The Glock 36 gave me way more problems. I guess I am just lucky but I would not hesitate to buy another XDS.

 

[RedRyder]

I've fired about 100 rounds through mine and it's a pita. I've had FTF from slide lock on several occasions - even with 230gr hardball which I thought was the universally feedable round. Also had FTF from slide lock with 185 Golden Sabers which, while not hardball, are pretty close. I've also had FTL after the last round. On the FTF, I don't know if the round is getting hung up on the mag or whether the ramp is not smooth enough. I also think the ejection port is a little too short and could stand a little opening up. But that's another story.

David Bowie worked on an M&P for me and we discussed the XDS. He said the XDS mags are not the best (not quite his words) and the grip safety has been troublesome.

While I like the XDS for its size, its use is always problematic. Gotta' hold it just right, gotta' hold it just tight enough, gotta' do this, gotta' do that. Every other pistol I've shot from Berettas, to Sigs, to HKs to M&Ps you simply pick 'em up and shoot em' Not the XDS. And that worries me.

And like some of the other comments on this topic, while I'm not a professional, I've been through enough classes and fired enough rounds to know how NOT to limp wrist.

 

[cjherrman]

My XDS runs like a sewing machine well a loud one.

 

[Bradu]

I really wanted one for concealed carry but after all the problems I been reading about since this thread was started but I think I will stick with my EMP.

 

[RedRyder]

What I can't understand is why there are more reports of malfunctioning guns, than there are of guns that work w/o a problem. I've read that due to the gun's small size, the shooter's grip has to be much firmer. But surely, there are enough experienced shooters reporting these problems that a weak grip is not the case. And I've also read (over at the Springfield XDS forum) that you have to run a well lubed, clean gun. If that's the case, sorry, that's not the real world.

 

[smn442]

All,
I have carried an XDS-45 for about a year, to include shooting IDPA matches with it. I have fired about 4000 rounds out of mine and did not have a single FTF until about three weeks ago, so I don't buy the limp wrist theory or the lube issue. I can agree that the weapon will fire out of battery..Tested that today. I am leaning towards dirty striker channel..I clean the weapon and lube it after every trip to the range, but have avoided cleaning or getting any oil around the striker channel. This seems to be the opposite of most of the postings which seem to be experiencing these challenges with new weapons. However, concur with all that the FTFs are causing me to re-think concealed carry with this weapon and will go back to my Kimber.

 

[Retooferab]

150 rounds through mine without a problem. I like it.

 

[Shoottothrill]

All,
I have carried an XDS-45 for about a year, to include shooting IDPA matches with it. I have fired about 4000 rounds out of mine and did not have a single FTF until about three weeks ago, so I don't buy the limp wrist theory or the lube issue. I can agree that the weapon will fire out of battery..Tested that today. I am leaning towards dirty striker channel..I clean the weapon and lube it after every trip to the range, but have avoided cleaning or getting any oil around the striker channel. This seems to be the opposite of most of the postings which seem to be experiencing these challenges with new weapons. However, concur with all that the FTFs are causing me to re-think concealed carry with this weapon and will go back to my Kimber.

I would replace my recoil spring if I were you after that many rounds. Seems small pistols need new recoil springs more often than larger pistols.

 

[truth]

What I can't understand is why there are more reports of malfunctioning guns, than there are of guns that work w/o a problem.

People are more apt to run to a forum in order to bitch about a problem than they are to gloat over a gun that goes bang when you pull the trigger.

 

[no1special]

some idle thoughts from sgt. "i know nothing" schultz. with the advances in computer simulation and cam the manufacturerers are building guns closer and closer to the "edge." shortening travels, lightening parts, shorter lighter springs, sharpening angles. all dimensions are getting more and more critical with less and less tolerance for variation and error. frankly i am surprised at the small number of problems and complaints being posted considering the current production levels.

 

[Blackstone]

The off-center primer strikes seem to be ''normal'' in my experience.
I've been shooting reloads exclusively and have about 100 rounds through the new XDS with no FTF.
I am going to lube and clean it and do some deliberate testing with factory ammo to track this issue.
I am a G36 guy and you guys are making me think twice about the XDS.

 

[Jester8]

I was worried about this as well...of course I read about all the issues after I bought my XDS. But, I have not had any problems with it. I have put roughly 300 rounds through without a hiccup. Hell, it even ate by reload 200gr semi-wad cutters without a problem. Time well tell I guess. I like how concealable it is, very small print.

 

[pcan220]

I have to agree with no1special. Considering current production levels, purchasing levels and manufacturing processes, I'm surprised there aren't more complaints. The industry is building too many guns too fast in an effort to keep up with demand. Something is bound to go wrong.

I don't "trust" any gun. They're all man-made machines and prone to failure when you need them most. You can wrangle with customer service and get on the forums, but you still need to practice your stoppage drills and know the status of your weapon.

For what it's worth, I don't think a gun reaches its maximum reliability potential until it's had 1000 rounds through it. With most of the "compact" guns, that means you need to put a new (and probably heavier) recoil spring in it by the time it's actually ready for reliable daily carry.

 

[Hogshooter]

Still shooting with no more issues with mine since SA replaced the extractor. Also by replacing the rear sight with a higher one the pistol is now shooting to POA.

 

[Tough Guy]

I have to agree with no1special. Considering current production levels, purchasing levels and manufacturing processes, I'm surprised there aren't more complaints. The industry is building too many guns too fast in an effort to keep up with demand. Something is bound to go wrong.

I don't "trust" any gun. They're all man-made machines and prone to failure when you need them most. You can wrangle with customer service and get on the forums, but you still need to practice your stoppage drills and know the status of your weapon.

For what it's worth, I don't think a gun reaches its maximum reliability potential until it's had 1000 rounds through it. With most of the "compact" guns, that means you need to put a new (and probably heavier) recoil spring in it by the time it's actually ready for reliable daily carry.

Same thing people say about the automotive industry but when was the last time you saw the gun industry do a massive recall the way the auto industry does? Never.

 

[mndang]

I have a new XDs 9mm and am experiencing off center light primer strikes. I have shot 400 rds through the pistol and have had at least 10-12 off center light primer strikes. This happens SOMETIMES when I fire a round, hold back the trigger, then very slowly release the trigger to find the exact point of the trigger reset, feel and hear the trigger reset, and then pull the trigger again which sometimes results with off center light primer strikes on the primer. I did clean and lube the pistol before firing the 1st round and at 200rds. I did heavily lube the rails, exterior barrel and metal contact points. Any thoughts?

At 400rds, I cleaned the XDs and the striker channel per recommendation of another posting. I took pictures of the striker. The striker does not look right at all and I circled it in red on one of the pictures. It seems to be deformed/damaged onto one side from repeated impacts during firing. I rotated the black washer or bushing by 180 degrees to see if the striker doesn't move out of place. Heading out to test it with Federal American Eagle and Winchester Whitebox (never shot this ammo before).

Pictures of the striker: SA_XDS9mmStriker Photos by mikedang | Photobucket

Comments welcome if this is normal.

 

[simmy952]

I have been fortunate. My XDs was purchased used. The previous owner had no issues and I also have had none. I have only had a chance to put about 100 rds through. It sounds silly but most problems with light primer strikes have been attributed to bad magazine springs. Here are a few threads with fixes posted.

XDS Light Strikes - XDTalk Forums - Your XD/XD(m) Information Source! - Fix is posted about page 3 or 4.

springfield XDS - THR

Seems that new mag springs from Tripp take care of the problem.

My XDs has become my EDC. This coming from a Glock owner. Switching from a G27 or G23. Still have my Glocks but most of time I now carry the XDs. The trigger is better out of the box than the Glock. Like my Glocks but had to do some trigger work to get them to my liking. I find the recoil on the XDs .45 is more manageable than the G27. I tried a G30 but the grip is too wide and the compact Glock 45 tear me up while shooting. The G30 was not a pleasant shooting experience. Just my opinion. Hope this helps and keep us posted.

 

[bh-ltr]

Same thing people say about the automotive industry but when was the last time you saw the gun industry do a massive recall the way the auto industry does? Never.

Thats because their lobbying firms have actually made it so that if a gun blows up and kills someone or fails to perform when its needed the company that made it isn't liable and can't be sued for the issue no matter if it was their fault or not. They are the only industry to my knowledge that has such a provision for themselves.

~Brett

PS: I'm at about 500 rounds through my XDs45 and I've never had a FTF. I've had a couple failures to feed when being too easy with the slide however once I realized that I needed to really make sure and wrack it hard I've not had any issues with it. Same goes for clearing it when their is a round in the chamber. You can't pull it back gently and let the round drop out. You need to wrack it back and let it release it like it normally would. Other than that no issues what so ever. Just the two of us getting used to each others' idiosynchronicities. I should add that I've always kept it well lubed but have recently switched to fireclean. While I've not shot it much since then it feels like it slides a lot smoother than previously. However so does my P220, my Kimber 1911 and my Rem700.

 

[Zebra644]

I am not trying to thread jack here but put in my .02 worth. I have been shooting for at least 15 years, did my time in the service, did a 5 year stint with my SWAT Team until the cartilage in my knee when bye bye and I still shoot as a Police Officer and for recreation. I have also been to shooting school or two as well. The reason I gave a brief background is show that I am not new to or unfamiliar with the use of a firearm. That being said I wear an external vest carrier that looks like a uniform shirt. And yes they are so much more comfortable than the under the shirt vests. I have been looking for a back up gun and a summer carry gun especially when riding my Harley. I use a Glock 21 for a duty weapon and carry a Springfield 1911 Champion Operator for a off duty /CCW ( I also have a full dust cover /rail TRP Operator). I obviously like Springfield and held one of the XDS .45s in the hand, found it used ( should me my 1st clue ) in great shape and bought it for $450.00 out the door. So I shot it and wow what an accurate little gun at 10 yards all in the X Ring, when it didn't give me light primer strikes. So I figure It just needs the old take home, clean and oil then break in routine. So I take it home strip it down, clean with Rem Oil and lube the heck out of with CLP for rapid fire and stainless autos. I even researched the striker channel being dirty or factory cosmoline being the culprit, so I clean that up to. A few day later back to the range and nope after 200 rounds I am still getting light primer strikes. The odd thing is when I am shooting it, when it gives me a light primer strike, I can almost feel the slide catch when going into full battery.I wait 30 seconds to ensure its not a hang fire on factory ammo (American Eagle or Winchester or CCI aluminum case which all my other .45's shoot 1911 & Glock 21) rack the slide back just enough to reset / recock the striker aim squeeze and bang.
Now the whole reason I bought this gun was to be a OH S**T or get off me gun. If I have to have a death grip on the gun or a locked elbow to ensure that this gun will function until I either run out of ammo, stop shooting then I need to think about parting ways with this gun as much as I like until they get this fixed. I need to be able to bet my life on a gun that I don't have to stand on one leg with , hold just right and stick my tongue out at an odd angle to off set the one leg stand thing. I may be at an odd angle or on my back or wounded and It has to function PERIOD. I hate .380's and am okay'ish with a 9mm and am looking at either a EMP or a Sig 938. I am off today 8-1-13 and it just so happens my local gun shop is supposed to have a Springfield Armory Rep in today. He and I are going to have a little chat and if you all don't mind ( again not to thread jack ) I will post a cliff notes version of the conversation.

 

[simmy952]

Zebra644- They say the striker channel is supposed to be clean and dry. Not supposed to run it wet. What kind of gun oil are you using? Most say frog lube seems to work the best. I have been using lubriplate.

Where in OH are you located?

 

[Hogshooter]

Zebra, If you read my previous post you will see my experiences with the XDS. My slide was not going completely into battery about 20% of the time. Springfield ended up replacing the extractor in the pistol and so far it is running ok but I still am carrying my Glock 27 or my S&W 442 until I get a couple hundred more rounds thru the XDs. Although they did not explain what was the issue with the original extractor I surmise that it had too much tension and would not get over the rim of the cartridge. That was the amount that the slide was lacking of completely going into battery. On a 1911 the cartridge is supposed to slide under the extractor as it is stripped from the mag but I do not know if this is the was the XDs was designed. They may just designed it to pop over the rim when the slide slams home.

 

[Zebra644]

Okay, sorry been busy. So I spoke with the Springfield Armory Rep nice guy. I told him my issues with the gun and he said that he has heard of these issues. Without hesitation, he got a RMA number and it gets sent back to the factory Tuesday. He handed me a dealer sample and said shoot this one and see if it does the same thing. So I went to the range and emptied a mag without an single issue. UNITL I SHOT IT ONE HANDED then I got a FTF. One of the stages of fire for qualification is we have to shoot is one handed arm bent at a 90 like a L . So when I get this back I am going to test it out and see. The dealer sample shot smoother than mine and I did not feel the hesitation in the slide when going into full battery. But I have that feeling its gonna be sold for what I have in it. I am looking at either a 3" 1911 in .45 ACP and have it tweaked or a Sig 938 9mm. I appologize for thread jacking if it comes across that way.

 

[Zebra644]

Zebra644- They say the striker channel is supposed to be clean and dry. Not supposed to run it wet. What kind of gun oil are you using? Most say frog lube seems to work the best. I have been using lubriplate.

Where in OH are you located?

Fairfield / Hamilton area






Okay so sold the XDS for a little less than what I had in it because of the extended magazine I bought.

 

[simmy952]

Okay, sorry been busy. So I spoke with the Springfield Armory Rep nice guy. I told him my issues with the gun and he said that he has heard of these issues. Without hesitation, he got a RMA number and it gets sent back to the factory Tuesday. He handed me a dealer sample and said shoot this one and see if it does the same thing. So I went to the range and emptied a mag without an single issue. UNITL I SHOT IT ONE HANDED then I got a FTF. One of the stages of fire for qualification is we have to shoot is one handed arm bent at a 90 like a L . So when I get this back I am going to test it out and see. The dealer sample shot smoother than mine and I did not feel the hesitation in the slide when going into full battery. But I have that feeling its gonna be sold for what I have in it. I am looking at either a 3" 1911 in .45 ACP and have it tweaked or a Sig 938 9mm. I appologize for thread jacking if it comes across that way.

When you shot one handed, is that shooting from the waist? I tried several times on Thurs to replicate your FTF issue. Tried offhand and even left handed to get my XDs to malfunction. So far mine has performed just the way it should. Hope your issue gets resolved.

 

[mndang]

An update of my experience. I sent the pistol back to SA and got it back within a week. Way to go SA!!! According to the work order SA adjusted the extractor and the striker pin wear was normal. Took it to the range and shot 225rds. So total now is about 850rds through the XDs 9mm. Had no light primer strikes this range session but I noticed the slide did not go into full battery at times and I pushed it back into full battery OR the slide hung up momentarily after firing and then returned to battery. I'm not confident in this pistol and I may have had a bad one in the batch. Not going to keep the XDs around for much longer. Too bad bc I like the pistol too.

 

[Shoottothrill]

So to update my XDs .45 experience has gotten better. Since I frog lubed this pistol it is running flawlessly. I also keep my strong hand/arm elbow straight when shooting. I ran 175 rounds threw today flawlessly. Also some of the guys on the XDs forum ordered these magazine springs and replaced them in their XDs .45 magazines. Tripresearch.com has these, (MS-14C048) Magazine spring. Solved all the light primer strike problems. I'm going to order some. Just need to cut off about an inch and install them. It seems a week magazine spring was causing the top round to drag on the one below and it kept the slide from closing the final 1/8th inch causing a light primer strike and failure to fire. I will post the link when I find it again. I also am approaching 500 rounds fired and I think with the froglube this is about the number of rounds to break this pistol in properly.

 

[bh-ltr]

I think I just experienced something along this vein. I shot my XDS in a match this weekend and at the end of the match there was a round fired that resulted in a LOT of crap shot back at me. Ended up with a slightly bloody lip, two small bruises on my torso and the range SO ended up with a small bruise on his chest and a small hole in his shirt. My theory was that I had a slightly out of battery situation but ignition still occurred. i've yet to have any failure to fire situations and I don't recall any feeding issues other than if you don't wrack the slide fully and heavily. I've started using fireclean on the gun as of this last match and I'm in about the same count area 400 to 500 or so.

~Brett

 

[bh-ltr]

So to update my XDs .45 experience has gotten better. Since I frog lubed this pistol it is running flawlessly. I also keep my strong hand/arm elbow straight when shooting. I ran 175 rounds threw today flawlessly. Also some of the guys on the XDs forum ordered these magazine springs and replaced them in their XDs .45 magazines. Tripresearch.com has these, (MS-14C048) Magazine spring. Solved all the light primer strike problems. I'm going to order some. Just need to cut off about an inch and install them. It seems a week magazine spring was causing the top round to drag on the one below and it kept the slide from closing the final 1/8th inch causing a light primer strike and failure to fire. I will post the link when I find it again. I also am approaching 500 rounds fired and I think with the froglube this is about the number of rounds to break this pistol in properly.

Are you talking about 5 round mags only or the 7 round mags or both? I've got 7 of the 5 round mags and they are all fairly tight. Not sure how a stronger magazine would cause the rounds to drag less.

~Brett

 

[Shoottothrill]

The springs will work in both the five and seven round mags. You may have to clip off a bit more in the five round mags then the seven. Here is the link to the thread:XDS Light Strikes - Page 2 - XDTalk Forums - Your XD/XD(m) Information Source!
Here is what the guy that figured it out had to say, these are two different posts.
Guys name is toolman on the forum:
I've had a lot of trouble with out of battery primer strikes with my XDs 45, I've done a lot of testing, Customer Service was of no help whatsoever, but I finally solved my problems.

What was going on? I know this sounds crazy and some of y'all will say IMPOSSIBLE! Here it is, it's weak mag springs.

No way? Put one of these in each of your 5-round mags (yes they will fit) and see if all of your troubles don't disappear:

Trip Research MS-14C048 replacement spring (sorry couldn't get a link to work)

Tripp Research Inc. 1911 Magazines

See if I'm right, heck, prove me wrong if you can.
Another post of his:
The 1911 pistol smiths and 1911Tuner call this "inertia feed". The nose of the top cartridge in the mag is trying to move up and out of the mag while the slide is coming forward and the bottom corner of the breech face drags across the nose of the top cartridge in the mag. The top cartridge in the mag is what holds the slide out of battery.

New Tripp Research springs in my mags has my XDs feeding slicker than frog snot!

Now she'll feed limp wrist, loose grip , right side up, upside down, sideways, any way I've tried!

This is a long read about 35 pages but there is some very good information and real problem solving going on here. I wanted to get rid of my XDs .45 after my first range trip, but now after my fourth range trip and about 500 rounds it is running perfectly, and a good cleaning and Froglubing I really like this .45 and will carry it everyday. I hope this helps some of you with any problems you may be having.

 

[supercomp1911]

i own an xdm but a fellow LEO i was training allowed me to shoot his XDs. During firing sequence, it displayed what everyone has describe. I gather the brass(45acp) examined the misfired rounds with horizontal strike high on the primer.When I got home I searched for the ejector and extractor marks when I found the extractor marks I realize that the "Extractor Hook" was digging into the side brass instead of facing down on the rim.On my 1911 that is the norm. My gunsmith showed me when we were fitting the extractor that the face of the extractor never touches the side of the casing, because if it does the tension of extractor prevents slide from going into battery all the way. If the barrel isn't all the way up into the slide, the primer strikes are going to be slightly high on the primer. Those of us who have own a brand new custom 1911 45 like Sigs 1911, Les Baers,when we fire them some times the slide sits back about a quarter inch and we have to thumb them because the extractor binds up somewhere on the side of the rim, Also when we shoot reloads the rounds don't chamber properly we have to bump it into battery. Next time you shoot a 1911 or XDS, prior to firing,take the first two rounds about to be fired and mark the top of the brass with a black marker, then look at both fired cases. My partner thought that his XDs was hitting to one side and thats why I marked the brass, thats when i discoverd the high strikes. Hope this will help others out there. I had similar experience with my competition 22 rifles and pistols, the extractor barely touch the casing and when the extractor touched the barrels extractor relief/channel area it would push the bolt face away from the 22 rimfire, subsequently causing the next chambered round to misfire, sort of like having a fouled chamber preventing the round from fully chambering, after you attempt to fire that round it misfires but allowed it to be more seated into the chamber after being struck by the firing pin, so on the second time it goes off.

 

[Shoottothrill]

Just a quick update: I got my XDS back from the recall and took it to the range and fired 100 flawless rounds through it. Two different shooters actually and it ran perfect. I really like the size and accuracy of this little .45 and feel very confidant in it now. I carry it everyday. I think some Froglube and some break in are needed with little powerhouse.