What parts do XD9s tend to break?

[jamesp81]

I have a massive love/hate relationship with any handgun chambered in 9mm. Since no one around here rents guns, I have no choice but to buy them and try them and it's getting really, really expensive.

I started out with a Glock 17. Nice gun, but I'm not going to sugar coat it. I hate Glocks. A lot of people told me they were not ergonomic and I didn't listen. I should've. Traded that at a loss for a CZ P07. Nice pistol, ergonomically perfect. Horrendous trigger that would not respond to smoothing up. Traded that at another loss on my current pea shooter, an XD9. Decent ergos, but now some people are telling me they break parts a lot.

Before I get hammered on another trade to go to an M&P9, I want to know if anyone can tell me what parts tend to break on them and if there are aftermarket replacements that WON'T break.

[SteveU]

I have a massive love/hate relationship with any handgun chambered in 9mm. Since no one around here rents guns, I have no choice but to buy them and try them and it's getting really, really expensive.

I started out with a Glock 17. Nice gun, but I'm not going to sugar coat it. I hate Glocks. A lot of people told me they were not ergonomic and I didn't listen. I should've. Traded that at a loss for a CZ P07. Nice pistol, ergonomically perfect. Horrendous trigger that would not respond to smoothing up. Traded that at another loss on my current pea shooter, an XD9. Decent ergos, but now some people are telling me they break parts a lot.

Before I get hammered on another trade to go to an M&P9, I want to know if anyone can tell me what parts tend to break on them and if there are aftermarket replacements that WON'T break.

Early models used to have a locking block cracking issue, but that was worked out maybe 5 years ago. At about that point the trigger bar spring was a weak point, but I suspect that it isn't an issue any more because I haven't heard of many breaking lately. Overall, it's a very reliable handgun.

[jamesp81]

I have a massive love/hate relationship with any handgun chambered in 9mm. Since no one around here rents guns, I have no choice but to buy them and try them and it's getting really, really expensive.

I started out with a Glock 17. Nice gun, but I'm not going to sugar coat it. I hate Glocks. A lot of people told me they were not ergonomic and I didn't listen. I should've. Traded that at a loss for a CZ P07. Nice pistol, ergonomically perfect. Horrendous trigger that would not respond to smoothing up. Traded that at another loss on my current pea shooter, an XD9. Decent ergos, but now some people are telling me they break parts a lot.

Before I get hammered on another trade to go to an M&P9, I want to know if anyone can tell me what parts tend to break on them and if there are aftermarket replacements that WON'T break.

Early models used to have a locking block cracking issue, but that was worked out maybe 5 years ago. At about that point the trigger bar spring was a weak point, but I suspect that it isn't an issue any more because I haven't heard of many breaking lately. Overall, it's a very reliable handgun.

I knew about the locking block issue. HS went to a radiused locking block to address the issue...mine appears to be of that type.

As for the trigger bar, if this works out and I decide to run with the XD (and it needs to run reliably since it's going to be my nightstand piece) I will probably use the Springer Precision trigger kit.

What I'm most concerned about is the extractor and ejector. There doesn't seem to be any aftermarket replacements for these. I think some of the early guns had a habit of breaking ejectors especially. I don't know if that's been corrected or not.

Edited July 12, 2010 by jamesp81

[FranDoc]

What I'm most concerned about is the extractor and ejector. There doesn't seem to be any aftermarket replacements for these. I think some of the early guns had a habit of breaking ejectors especially. I don't know if that's been corrected or not.

FWIW -- my XD9 (4") has ~15K rounds through it. Everything that's gone in and gone 'bang' has been extracted and ejected without a problem.

Anything can break on any gun, at any time. Mine has run, period. It's run in sub-freezing cold and in 90+ degree heat. It's run in monsoon downpours, and after being ground into Nevada desert sand in a close quarters class. Maybe I got lucky, but that's my experience with the gun. I keep it relatively clean (Titegroup reloads, scrub it out every 6 or 8 weeks), use Slide Glide + synthetic motor oil lube.

If YOU like the ergonomics, go for it. Be aware that there is a difference in balance point between the 3" - 4" - 5". See if you can handle all of those before dropping the $$.

[jamesp81]

What I'm most concerned about is the extractor and ejector. There doesn't seem to be any aftermarket replacements for these. I think some of the early guns had a habit of breaking ejectors especially. I don't know if that's been corrected or not.

FWIW -- my XD9 (4") has ~15K rounds through it. Everything that's gone in and gone 'bang' has been extracted and ejected without a problem.

Anything can break on any gun, at any time. Mine has run, period. It's run in sub-freezing cold and in 90+ degree heat. It's run in monsoon downpours, and after being ground into Nevada desert sand in a close quarters class. Maybe I got lucky, but that's my experience with the gun. I keep it relatively clean (Titegroup reloads, scrub it out every 6 or 8 weeks), use Slide Glide + synthetic motor oil lube.

If YOU like the ergonomics, go for it. Be aware that there is a difference in balance point between the 3" - 4" - 5". See if you can handle all of those before dropping the $$.

Interesting that you mention that. I've talked to several guys who frequent handgun training classes, and they claim that XDs break and/or malfunction more than any other pistol they commonly see (mainly Glocks and M&Ps).

In fact, I've noticed that on migunowners.org among the pistol trainers there it's a running joke about XD reliability, or lack thereof.

[Classic_jon]

I have an XD in .40 but the parts are virtually identical. I had well over 20k rounds through it before I put in a Springer trigger kit to shorten the trigger reset. The parts I took out are fine and I keep them in my bag as spares.

Anytime I hear people say that XD's are "unreliable" or "break parts all the time" it makes me wonder what they are doing to it? I had one striker indicator guide rod crack at about 15k rounds. One phone call to springfield and I had one in the mail, no questions asked. Other than that, the *only* issues I have ever had with my XD, a friends XD, and several other people in my clubs XD's and XDm's has been ammo related.

Can you just flat out wear out a part? SURE! but that is true with any gun if you shoot it enough

[Marv Z]

IMHO, the only people that complain about the reliability of XD/XDMs are the people that don't own one. Other than the roll pin for the striker, you rarely here of any problems. All of mine run awesome, my XDM 40 must have over 5k thru it. It has been flawless and I've had nothing but problems with the highly vaunted 1911 platform. Both of mine have been back for repairs already. Not that matters here, but it shows that nothing's perfect.

[jamesp81]

What are your thoughts on the magazines? I will admit, they do seem a bit thin skinned to me. One complaint I'm hearing is that the mags can cause failures if they're a bit dirty.

That might make a good test, though. Maybe I'll get a mag or two and toss them in mud and/or sand for an hour and then run to the range and see how they do

I admit, I still remain concerned that a number of firearms trainers all seem to comment on the XDs propensity to FTX. Maybe it's not an issue with the newer production guns, who knows.

What I don't understand is how some of these trainers are seeing these failures, but when I saw the XD go through the "Glock" style torture test, it passed with flying colors. They froze the thing in a solid block of ice fer God's sakes.

[GrumpyOne]

What are your thoughts on the magazines? I will admit, they do seem a bit thin skinned to me. One complaint I'm hearing is that the mags can cause failures if they're a bit dirty.

That might make a good test, though. Maybe I'll get a mag or two and toss them in mud and/or sand for an hour and then run to the range and see how they do

I admit, I still remain concerned that a number of firearms trainers all seem to comment on the XDs propensity to FTX. Maybe it's not an issue with the newer production guns, who knows.

What I don't understand is how some of these trainers are seeing these failures, but when I saw the XD go through the "Glock" style torture test, it passed with flying colors. They froze the thing in a solid block of ice fer God's sakes.

On American Rifleman, I saw them put an XDM on a bar-b-que grill with hot coals and cook it for 45 minutes. The grip melted where the metal grill touched it, but when it cooled down, it fired normally. I think the temp was 450 degrees F.

The only part my XDM has broke, is my wallet, trying to feed it ammo.

[SteveU]

I have had 4 XDs, still have 2, one is my daily carry and the other for USPSA production. Have had them since 2006/2007 and never broke an extractor. So that's my experience.

There are a couple gunsmith vendors on this site who are XD experts. They may be able to give you some more experience with thousands of them. www.xdtalk.com is also pretty helpful.<br><br>PS:  My XD mags are more reliable than my STI mags....<img class="bbc_emoticon" alt="" src="http://www.brianenos.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif">  Never had a problem.<br>

Edited July 12, 2010 by Surge

[jamesp81]

Thanks for the info.

I probably won't part with the XD as long as it continues to run well (which it has run exceptionally well thus far). I really do prefer the ergos and the trigger to the other striker fired guns, and I understand that the springer precision trigger kit yields an excellent trigger.

[Mbauer67]

I have a 4" xd 40 with about 5k rounds through it, and have never had a problem. I often shoot with a bunch of guys that shoot glocks and they often have feeding problems related to their lack of maintenance on the mags.

My point no matter what gun, it's proper maintenance and care that will make it run well for years.

[MARKAVELI]

I have had my .40 Glock for 10 years and fired thousands of rounds through it and never had a problem with it thoe whe I did buy new mags for it, it was hard getting the bottom plate for it off! But still runs like a champ!

[fuzzysights]

I think the same guys you are hearing about XD problems from are the ones that will tell you that you need at least a Les Bauer or Nighthawk 1911, in the $2k range. The idea that a "plastic" gun can cost $500 and run reliably must hurt their pride. My XD40 tactical has put about 12k rounds downrange with the only failures being one extraction failure when I was experimenting with bunny fart loads and had not changed the spring. After I got the power factor back in the legal range it has not had a single issue since. I did have one mag failure. I dropped it in the parking lot and did not see it until after I had backed over it. It still feeds well but the bent edge does not let it drop free. If you buy a 9mm tactical and do not like it let me know when you are ready to sell it!

[MARKAVELI]

I think the same guys you are hearing about XD problems from are the ones that will tell you that you need at least a Les Bauer or Nighthawk 1911, in the $2k range. The idea that a "plastic" gun can cost $500 and run reliably must hurt their pride. My XD40 tactical has put about 12k rounds downrange with the only failures being one extraction failure when I was experimenting with bunny fart loads and had not changed the spring. After I got the power factor back in the legal range it has not had a single issue since. I did have one mag failure. I dropped it in the parking lot and did not see it until after I had backed over it. It still feeds well but the bent edge does not let it drop free. If you buy a 9mm tactical and do not like it let me know when you are ready to sell it!

I agree! And if anyone is also unhappy with their XD's or glocks let me know ill take em and shoot the hell out of em! Lol!

[Gordian]

I have 2 XD's with 15k plus rounds through each of them and nothing has ever broken. I bought some spare striker retainer pins to keep in my range bag because a buddy of mine broke one on his. This is the only thing I've ever heard of breaking - it's something that can happen with a lot of dryfire.

The steel on the mags is a bit thin. I've bent the crap out of several by dropping them on hard floors by mistake when practicing. You can typically bend the mag lips back into shape once or twice but then they are done.

SA service is top notch. If you do ever have a problem they will turn your gun around very quickly. I had them do one of my trigger jobs and it's the best one I have (and the gun is still fully under warranty)...

[dbxdm9]

I've got an XDm and have several thousand rounds through it - no problems. It eats anything, hasn't broken a thing = no issues.

Don't listen to those with opinions that are based on other's opinions - only owners know the real story.

[Classic_jon]

What are your thoughts on the magazines? I will admit, they do seem a bit thin skinned to me. One complaint I'm hearing is that the mags can cause failures if they're a bit dirty.

That might make a good test, though. Maybe I'll get a mag or two and toss them in mud and/or sand for an hour and then run to the range and see how they do

I admit, I still remain concerned that a number of firearms trainers all seem to comment on the XDs propensity to FTX. Maybe it's not an issue with the newer production guns, who knows.

What I don't understand is how some of these trainers are seeing these failures, but when I saw the XD go through the "Glock" style torture test, it passed with flying colors. They froze the thing in a solid block of ice fer God's sakes.

I have dropped mags in sand and at the Louisiana state match I dropped several in the mud. One that was especially dirty I disassembled, ran a towel through it and reassembled it. The rest I took the normal precaution of wiping the outside down and they functioned flawlessly.

I have never had a mag related issue with any of my 10 mags for my XD.

[Max It]

I just checked my book; on round count

7,200 so far

XD9 Tactical

aftermarket trigger

modified mags

no prob's.

max

[JServais]

I have a XD9 that I use for USPSA Production. It has 13K through it without any trouble. I replaced a few pins and the recoil and striker springs at 10K. Springer trigger parts are good. The striker retaining pin has to be removed to clean the striker channel so I just replace it with a new one when I detail strip every 2K or so. It is a standard metric roll pin that you can purchase in quantity from a supply house like McMaster Carr. I actually use a spring type roll pin instead of the standard split type as it seems to hold up to dry fire better.

[j33716]

I have a massive love/hate relationship with any handgun chambered in 9mm. Since no one around here rents guns, I have no choice but to buy them and try them and it's getting really, really expensive.

I started out with a Glock 17. Nice gun, but I'm not going to sugar coat it. I hate Glocks. A lot of people told me they were not ergonomic and I didn't listen. I should've. Traded that at a loss for a CZ P07. Nice pistol, ergonomically perfect. Horrendous trigger that would not respond to smoothing up. Traded that at another loss on my current pea shooter, an XD9. Decent ergos, but now some people are telling me they break parts a lot.

Before I get hammered on another trade to go to an M&P9, I want to know if anyone can tell me what parts tend to break on them and if there are aftermarket replacements that WON'T break.

I have 5 of them. One I have over 30k rounds thru. The only thing I have ever had to replace are the springs.