Trouble with back strap safety on Springfield XD$)

[Samari Jack]

I have a problem. My Springfield XD .40 has a back strap safety in addition to the normal trigger safety and drop safety not found in other striker fired guns. In order to work the slide, the back strap safety must be depressed. The spring on the slide is stiff when compared to my other striker fired weapons.

I have weak thumb opposition strength, especially the left thumb (had surgery of a thumb joint). As a result, I have to put part of my hand in front of the muzzle in order to work the slide and depress the back strap safety at the same time to eject a round. I'm not comfortable doing this with a live round in the chamber. My only other, and most used is to shot the round out thus having the slide locked back.

I could tape the back strap safety but don't like this option. I really like the firearm but before I sell it, I was checking to see if there was a way to temporally disable the back strap safety since it is somewhat redundant when compared to other similar striker fired weapons. Then hook it back up when/if I sell it.

Any advice?

 

[KenW.]

Try wrapping your fingers over the top of the slide instead of pinching it with the thumb.

 

[danfive555]

XD grip safety disable: file top of safety off where it blocks the sear

Check out this video --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ui8hoOXonpM

And the comment section where someone asks how to disable the safety.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

I commented on that video in response to someone asking how to disable the grip safety. One way you could do it is by removing the spring in the grip safety and just point the gun to the ground. Could you explain why you have trouble in further detail? I'm able to operate the gun without using my thumbs unless it's the entire thumb such as the part that makes up the web. (Excuse the description that would make a Human body graduate cry.)

 

[TG13]

you could get a custom grip safety from Scott Springer..

 

[Samari Jack]

I commented on that video in response to someone asking how to disable the grip safety. One way you could do it is by removing the spring in the grip safety and just point the gun to the ground. Could you explain why you have trouble in further detail? I'm able to operate the gun without using my thumbs unless it's the entire thumb such as the part that makes up the web. (Excuse the description that would make a Human body graduate cry.)

I have what is called extensive basalar joint arthritis in both thumbs. The bone of the thumb (metacarpal) that meets the carpal bone (at my wrist) disintegrated allowing the base of my thumb to migrate toward my palm. The defective metacarpal of my left thumb was replace surgically using a piece of tendon resulting in full range of motion but very weak strength in opposition to fingers. The surgery was successful in eliminating pain and took a year to heal but still have weak oppositional strength of thumb to fingers (pinch strength). I decided to forgo surgery on my right thumb.

Anyway, I can using my fingers, pinching the slid between my palm and fingers, working a slide without a back strap safety like a Glock. I have to do so with the Springfield, only in such a way that the round ejects down, manipulating the weapon around to engage the slide lock. It involves doing three things at once. It is real awkward to work safety, slide and the slide lock all at once.

I really like the balance, trigger pull and knock'em down capability of the XD .40. Recoil is easily managed. The .40 is like a "nine" on steroids.

I'll check out the mods listed, thanks.

 

[JTQ]

Assuming you are right handed, how do you hold the Glock with your right hand when you rack the slide on the Glock? Do you hold the XD differently?

This slide racking demonstration from "The Cornered Cat" basically shows no use of the left hand thumb. Notice the right hand has the pistol properly gripped and it would thus disengage your grip safety. I would suspect this technique would work for you and your XD.

http://corneredcat.com/Rack_the_Slide/

 

[mgmorden]

Get a rubber slip-on grip (Hogue makes them - or you can get a segment out of a bicycle inner-tube). Slip-it on and it'll hold down the grip safety effectively disabling it.

The slide locking shut without the grip safety being depressed is a design flaw on this gun IMHO. There have already been some reports I've heard about where the grip safety on the gun failed with a round in the chamber. The gun couldn't be fired (grip safety had the trigger locked), and the live round couldn't be removed nor could the gun be disassembled due to the slide being locked shut. You're then stuck trying to figure out how to get a gun with a live round in the chamber back to Springfield.

 

[Skribs]

I never did think of it like that mg, and I agree - grip safety failure with a round in would be bad (especially because 99% of the time, I have a round in the chamber). I don't think the grip safety would be so bad if it didn't lock the slide back.

Now that you put it like that, I may look into a Glock or M&P. There are things I like about the XDM, but the slide lock feature does bug me.

 

[Skribs]

I just discussed it with a coworker, and he was saying you could just take the grip safety lever off and depress the spring, then rack the slide.

I heard it as "bla bla bla - take it to a local gunsmith and tell him to fix it - bla bla bla..."