Springfield XD9 - Slide Won't Lock Back (Resolved - User Error)

[LMNO]

Hello,

I bought a Springfield XD9 a few weeks ago and I have noticed that quite often the slide will not lock back after the last shot. I can't seem to trace the problem to my technique nor a specific magazine.

At first I thought it might have been the ammo I was using. The gun had originally shot a 50-round box of Perfecta 115 gr with no issues on its maiden range trip. All shots were with mags fully loaded.

Then I switched over to the 200-round box of Federal brass 115 gr that was selling for just a few cents more than the aluminum stuff, and that's where I started noticing this issue. I started off loading the magazines with 10 rounds, dropping to 5, and eventually 3. The slide would fail to lock back every so often. It became more frequent with more shooting.

I then gave it a semi-thorough cleaning and I noticed that the guide rod spring was rather stiff, but not sure if that could be a factor.

For my last trip, I switched over to the 200-round box of Winchester 115 gr. Same issue. I was still shooting 3 rounds per mag. I paid attention to my grip as well as my left hand to make sure I was not hitting the slide lock. Interestingly, the gun gun did not exhibit this issue when I started shooting single-handed near the end of my last trip, for about 20 rounds or so.

For comparison, I brought along a Glock 19 on the last two trips, and it shot both the Federal and the Winchester with no hiccups.

I do not have this problem with the XD45, which goes through a lot of ammo and gets seriously dirty before it starts having feeding issues.

Any thoughts?

[LkPillsburyDude]

I do this with my glock 10mm... i accidentally ride the slide stop with my hand, preventing it from catching. I am used to shooting 1911s and it doesnt happen with them for me. Check your hand positioning.

[PatC415]

Sounds like could be break in OP?

Have you tried any SD ammo?

I'd be willing to bet it's ammunition related.

Switch to some full power 124 grain SD ammo.

If you're not limp wristing, that pistol should eat anything.

[LMNO]

I do this with my glock 10mm... i accidentally ride the slide stop with my hand, preventing it from catching. I am used to shooting 1911s and it doesnt happen with them for me. Check your hand positioning.

Thanks, that is exactly what I focused on not doing during the last two trips, but it still happened.

Sounds like could be break in OP?

Have you tried any SD ammo?

I'd be willing to bet it's ammunition related.

Switch to some full power 124 grain SD ammo.

I don't shoot 115g in any of my 9's.

I am hoping it is just a break-in issue, though this was not the case with the .45. The local range does not allow SD ammo unfortunately, or else I'gd give that try. I tried switching up ammo brands in 115 gr, but same results. I'll try heavier grains next.

[BarrettM99]

Try shooting the pistol one handed with each hand, strong and weak side, and see if it still happens. If it’s consistently not happening, it’s most likely you. On some pistols, our grips make it where this happens.

I’ve seen this happen on YouTube a few times. It was that some pistols just didn’t work for these guys and the way they grip the firearm.

[mansysinatra]

Shouldn't require a break in period on an XD. Do the different hand test as mentioned, and see a gunsmith or get warranty work done.

[nedro]

Call Springfield.
Lifetime warranty.

[Old4eyes]

I ride the thumb safety when shooting a 1911. If I pick up an XD right after that I usually get the problem you describe due to where Springfield put the slide lock.

You describe that you don't have the problem with an XD45 so it sounds very much that you know to keep your thumb from the slide lock. I would have someone else shoot it keeping all of the other parameters the same (ammo type, cleanliness of the gun) and if they experience it, time to use that warrantly.

Does this happen on more than one magazine? Since you put in the word mags in the original post, that would be the assumption. Just checking.

[Title1guy]

If all else fails, contact Springfield. They may want you to ship it back on their dime to look at it.

[LMNO]

Shouldn't require a break in period on an XD. Do the different hand test as mentioned, and see a gunsmith or get warranty work done.

Thanks, I will be going back this weekend, so I will try shooting one-handed with each hand and see if makes a difference.

Call Springfield.
Lifetime warranty.

If all else fails, contact Springfield. They may want you to ship it back on their dime to look at it.

Yeah hopefully as a last resort, I'll do that.

I ride the thumb safety when shooting a 1911. If I pick up an XD right after that I usually get the problem you describe due to where Springfield put the slide lock.

You describe that you don't have the problem with an XD45 so it sounds very much that you know to keep your thumb from the slide lock. I would have someone else shoot it keeping all of the other parameters the same (ammo type, cleanliness of the gun) and if they experience it, time to use that warrantly.

Does this happen on more than one magazine? Since you put in the word mags in the original post, that would be the assumption. Just checking.

I've had my XD45 for about a year and never had this issue. When the problem first started on the XD9, I initially thought it was me hitting the slide lock with my thumb, so I made sure to keep my hands firmly planted.

It does happen with more than one magazine. The gun came with five mags and I've been using them all. I'll number them and see if a few of them might be the issue. I'll also ask someone at the range to shoot it for me and see if they can replicate the problem.

Thanks guys for the tips. Will report back.

[LMNO]

Went to the range last night and opened up a fresh box of 100-round Federal brass 9 mm 115 gr.

Put in three rounds each in all five mags. Had my friend shoot it. No problems.

I loaded up three rounds each in all five mags, and had the slide fail to lock back three times.

Confused, I moved my right-hand thumb away from the pistol completely, something that was very awkward for me. No more problems. I have been shooting my handguns with the thumb near the slide all this time and never had an issue. I tried putting my thumb on the little shelf on the grip, but that was awkward for me too.

So, despite my insistence that I doing everything right, I apparently did not.

Thank you everyone for all the help.

[XDJYo]

Went to the range last night and opened up a fresh box of 100-round Federal brass 9 mm 115 gr.



Put in three rounds each in all five mags. Had my friend shoot it. No problems.



I loaded up three rounds each in all five mags, and had the slide fail to lock back three times.



Confused, I moved my right-hand thumb away from the pistol completely, something that was very awkward for me. No more problems. I have been shooting my handguns with the thumb near the slide all this time and never had an issue. I tried putting my thumb on the little shelf on the grip, but that was awkward for me too.



So, despite my insistence that I doing everything right, I apparently did not.



Thank you everyone for all the help.