XD40 Firing Pin problem?

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

Ok I *FINALLY* got time to go shoot my XD40 subcompact I bought over a month ago. It is a fun gun to shoot and I found it to be very accurate. Recoil is a bit "snappy" compared to my old 9mm, but its quite manageable. Quick 2 round strings were dead on target. It has a very nice feel and points naturally.

When I gathered up my brass however, I noticed definite marking on the primers. I'm a little concerned with what looks to be the firing pin dragging through the primer cup after firing and the gun cycles. Overtime it could stress the firing pin and lead to premature wear.

The "proof fired" round they included with the gun shows similar markings on the primer but not as bad. Perhaps the PMC brass I used had very thin cheap primer cups? How concerned with this should I be? Is it normal? Will it diminish with break in?

Here's what the cases looked like after firing:

SingleShotLover · Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 5:30 am Post subject: Re: XD40 Firing Pin problem?

I can think of three things to look into just off-hand:

Recoil spring too weak letting gun unlock before the firing pin spring retracts the pin.

Firing pin a bit too long causing drag.

Firing pin spring too strong (not likely, but anything should be checked) not allowing the pin to retract fast enough.

I think you are right to worry about the long-term effects. This situation will probably lead to pin breakage within a fairly short period.

Good luck and let us know what you find.

chambered221 · Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 6:12 am Post subject: Re: XD40 Firing Pin problem?

It’s pretty common to see this in XD’s!!! The factory cases that came with mine also have the marks.
My .40 cal reloads give marks close to what yours is showing.
The 9mm reloads more than factory way less than what yours look like.

Differences in pressure and the pressure curve will change how much swipe you’re likely to see.

SSL has given the same info I would have except for the added possibility of a oversized firing pin hole.

The design of the gun itself (as well as many other semi-autos) is what causes it to happen. The shorter the barrel the more likely to see it.
Chances are you’ll not be able to eliminate it in the sub-compact (mostly because of design)
If it really bothers you, look at the recoil spring first. It’s possible by going with one that’s tailored for you specific load you can reduce or eliminate it.

As for the reliability issue down the road???
All I can say is I know of some XD’s with very high round counts that do the same thing and have never failed.
Nor have I heard of anyone breaking a firing pin in one.

Bushmaster · Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 7:40 am Post subject: Re: XD40 Firing Pin problem?

Not to worry. The case, upon extraction and ejection, is getting a drag mark from the firing pin. No big deal...

You might disassemble the firing pin and insure that the firing pin and firing pin channel are clean and just enough oil coat to prevent rust. It might be gumed up with factory preservative...

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

Thanks for the info everyone.

It doesn't bother me, I was just surprised to see it consistently in all my brass. As this is a new gun I thought I would ask if its a possibly a problem or not.

Still, its a really fun gun to shoot and very small. I like the fact that ammo is so much easier to find for it than the 9mm and .45's (my local walmart has cases of 180grn 40s&w in stock for $12.99 a box).

-DallanC

stovepipe · Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 11:02 am Post subject: Re: XD40 Firing Pin problem?

Yup- ammo pressure curve + new gun + etc. above.

Tear down, clean factory goop out, put 500rds through it with cleaning every 150rds or so and recheck. Might diminish some.

.40's are snappy lil things aint they?

$12.99 / box? It's 25$/box out here! Mad

stovepipe · Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 11:58 am Post subject: Re: XD40 Firing Pin problem?

I stumbled onto an atricle on this issue yesterday in an old G&A mag.

Seems it's caused by the action cycling "too quickly" and the case gets kicked before things are fully seperated, thus the drag mark.

Diff ammo with diff pressure curves was the cure (allegedly).