How come my XDs will not lock on an empty mag?

[danweasel]

Like the title says, my XD9 almost never (it has once or twice) locks back on an empty magazine. I had an XD45 a while back and it only locked back intermittantly as well. Is this my gun, me or just a common thing with XDs? Can I do anything to fix it? I have tried it with "full power" ammo as well as cheap plinkers. Oh, and it does lock back when I manually rack it with an empty mag in. Other than that the gun runs flawlessly, never a stoppage of any kind.

Any help would be wonderful,

Dan

 

[creeper1956]

If you are right handed, you may be inadvertently holding the slide stop, preventing it from moving upwards. Try shooting left handed and see what happens.
After that, it's damaged magazine follower and/or weak magazine spring, damaged slide stop lug that is engaged by magazine follower, ammo...
I recall a thread from an XD forum where the guy sent the gun back to SA for this exact problem, and they said the gun was "too dry". He said that after they (SA) clean and lubed it, it shot fine.

 

[guyfromohio]

What the creeper said.... especially with 2 different guns and the fact that it works fine when you manually pull it back.

 

[CZ57]

I have the 4.5 in .45 ACP and it has never failed to lock back on an empty magazine. Could be something you're doing. Call or email SA in any case, they'll make it right if it isn't you causing the issue.

 

[2wheels]

+1 on checking your grip. Might be your thumb, happened to me with my XD a few times because I was so used to a high thumbs grip.

 

[josephbw]

This may have been an ongoing issue with the XD line. I recently bought an XDs, and they now have an indentation for your thumb to ride in. I assume one of the reasons may be to keep your thumb off of the slide release.

 

[Plan2Live]

This may have been an ongoing issue with the XD line.

they now have an indentation for your thumb to ride in. I assume one of the reasons may be to keep your thumb off of the slide release.

Which sounds to me like an ongoing problem with operator error, not an issue with the gun itself.

My XDm will sometimes do this using the currently popular thumbs forward grip if I allow my strong hand (right) thumb to lay too close to the frame. It has never done this when using the crossed thumbs grip. My Sig 239 will do exactly the same thing if I'm not cognizent of where my strong hand thumb rests. So as I said above, more operator error than gun defect.

 

[ku4hx]

Clean and lube it per manufacturer's instructions and go shooting and make sure your grip is what it needs to be. If it still won't lock back let another experienced shooter try it. If it still fails to lock back try different magazines then different ammunition. If it still fails to lock back, install stronger magazine springs. If nothing fixes the problem, call Springfield and get their take.

 

[daybreak]

It's your grip. My XD9 locked back after the last round 100% of the time.

 

[Hit_Factor]

Same thing happens when I shoot a Sig P226. My high grip keeps the slide from locking back.

So I train knowing I cause that particular malfunction.

 

[danweasel]

Alright thanks,

I am thinking it is my grip. I do have a high grip. Also, I do run it fairly dry so I'll check that angle out too. The gun and mags are less than 6 months old which would probably exclude springs or the slide lug.

I will try it with a lower grip and see what happens. Although I can see myself agreeing with Hit Factor and just accepting it since I only recently am getting what I consider great accuracy and would hate to retrain my grip. If you have shot an XD you know that even a high grip can feel low due to the bore axis... We will see, I guess,

You guys are great, Thanks,

Dan

 

[popper]

Clean the mags. I had rnds sticking half way down. Keeps the follower from getting into position QUICKLY.

 

[danweasel]

I'll make sure I do that too, thanks!

 

[Bovice]

I have had slides failing to lock on empty only from my thumbs riding the lever. It usually happens when I'm using a really high grip and trying to shoot fast. That much works out fine... but then I get a click.

 

[CZ57]

I don't agree with the bore axis comment. I consider the XDm's bore axis plenty low. What is lower? A Glock? And by how much? A couple of MMs? I shoot an XDm in .45 ACP and there is no bore axis consideration in the way mine shoots. Try a SIG that actually does have a high bore axis but that doesn't stop it from being one of the world's favorite pistols!