Springfield XD .45 striker weak?

[Fat Boy]

The local shop has a used Springfield XD .45 for sale.

Not sure how to describe this exactly; when I dry-fire the gun the striker (watching the pin protruding from the rear of the slide) doesn't seem to "snap" forward very forcefully, and the sound doesn't seem like a clear snap or maybe like it should. We also pulled a rental XD from the rack and dry fired it and there seems to be a difference in the two although it isn't radically different- just doesn't seem as forceful as it ought to be.

The slide internals are so oily it almost drips- the lube isn't sticky, caked, or crusty; it is liquid. Could this cause the issue I am describing?

If not, what might cause this? Or is this possibly something unique to Springfield?

I know I am asking for a long-distance diagnosis without seeing/handling the gun- I appreciate your ideas!

 

[rcmodel]

I think it is possible.

I don't know about XD's, but I do know Glocks don't like the striker dripping with oil.

It actually traps air in front of it with the oil seal filling the gap and slows it down.

rc

 

[SilentScream]

The oil might be the issue, however stock XD's don't tend to have a real healthy "snap" to them when dry firing. You're best bet is to get a pencil drop it down the barrel eraser down and dry fire it. If the pencil jumps a couple feet out of the barrel; your striker spring is good. if it just kind of bounces out of the barrel barely making it out of the barrel, the striker spring is either weak or gummed up. Either way though i'd pull the striker assembly out and clean out the firing pin channel and firing pin assembly.

 

[bigfatdave]

the pencil test is one of the better qualitative methods for quick easy testing, use one with a flat eraser and a less snaggy ferrule

you'd have to burn up a lot of ammo to get a quantative test

 

[rcmodel]

The old pencil test doesn't work so hot with striker fired guns.

My Glock 23 will barely move a pencil 1/8", and never on it's best day would project one out of the barrel.

Other guns, like the 1911 for instance, will shoot one up and stick it in the ceiling tile.

rc

 

[mdi]

I've tried the "pencil test" in only 2 guns; an old (but pet) Davis P380, and a new FMK 9mm. Both will pop the pencil out of the barrel...

 

[rcmodel]

I just tried it on a like new SIG P6.
And it only moves it about 3/4".

rc