Light primer strikes on xdm

S

Samuel Adams

Inactive
Yeah I have a xdm 9 mm and I have been getting a lot of light primer strikes after I got a trigger job. The trigger is great it is like 3.5 pounds but, my problem is that if the round doesn't go off it doesn't help me none. What are some things that I could do to it to make it run again like it used to. Should I get a new firing pin spring and make the trigger not as good. Or cough up the money for a super light titanium firing pin to help me?
 
What is your intended use for this pistol?

Target/competition, or defense?

Some would say that a 3.5lb trigger is too light for a gun that is to be used for defense. That being the case, they would recommend a heavier spring to bring the pull to the 4.5-5lb range. (Just an average, some say a little lighter, some heavier)

That being said, the answer is up to you.

A new firing pin may work for you, a lighter one will definitely have a bit more speed for a given spring strength. But speed is not the only factor in the amount of force applied to the primer by the striker.

Momentum= Mass*Velocity
Kinetic Energy= 0.5*Mass*Velocity^2

Kinetic Energy is probably the most important, but momentum is important too.

So the question is... what changes will give you the most increase in momentum and energy?

A lighter pin may enable speeds that are fast enough to compensate for the lack of mass... but a stronger spring will increase speed of the existing striker much more reliably.

Basically, the lighter striker is lowering one variable in hopes that the gains in the second variable will cause a net increase in the final figure. It is possible that a lighter mass will only gain enough velocity to equal out the loss of mass.
 
Yeah I am just not sure that the lighter firing pin would help. Wouldn't want to spend $200 and still get light primer strikes. I would like to keep the trigger the way it is for target shooting. Just am wondering if anyone has had the same problem and fixed it with a lighter firing pin
 
Sounds like someone installed a lighter striker spring. Go back to the original spring/weight or if it is a carry gun, you might want to consider an extra power striker spring. Check out Powder River Precision or Springer. You might want to post at XD Talk as well. ;)
 
I agree with the above posts mentioning lighter spring(s) having been installed. The good news is that you can replace the spring(s) relatively cheap. You may want to consider a "spring kit" to get as close to your preferred pull weight as possible without light strikes.

In order to replace the spring you will have to strip the striker assembly for instructions just youtube "xd detail strip" powder river precision has a vid up and offers all the parts you're likely to want or need to replace.

Hope this helps,
-Dennis
 
It doesn't mean that other weapons have this issue with a kit. I have a kit in mine and it fires everything. More than likely a bad spring in the kit or not a good kit to begin with.

Either way you have an answer at least and that's good news! Good luck:)
 
To be honest when it comes to striker fired pistols I don't see the point in paying for a smith to do a trigger job. There are so many great drop-in options out there for XDs/XDms and M&Ps that are very user friendly. A number of options for easy work on Glocks too. Not familiar with anything for the Ruger SR series, but they generally have great triggers to begin with.
 
Last edited:
Been thinking about one for the XD40 but keep going back to the thought about having to actually use it and having a modified trigger
 
Been thinking about one for the XD40 but keep going back to the thought about having to actually use it and having a modified trigger
Click to expand...

I know a lot of people get in stitches over this. I think you need to take into account the laws and general attitude toward guns in your state. Secondly there are a number of places that make triggers marketed for carry purposes. If you can demonstrate that the weight of your trigger pull is not massively different than stock (say a 3 lb trigger as opposed to a 7 lb trigger). I think you should be okay. I modify my handguns so that the pull weight is right around 5.5 lbs, just about stock for a Glock.
 
I really just want to get rid of the slop is all
Click to expand...

Then check out the Powder River Precision drop in kit and leave in the stock striker spring and safety spring (basically don't touch the slide). They have a video tutorial on youtube if you want to see what it's like.
 
Then check out the Powder River Precision drop in kit and leave in the stock striker spring and safety spring (basically don't touch the slide). They have a video tutorial on youtube if you want to see what it's like.
Click to expand...

I put mine in before I ever fired my XDm 4.5 in .45 ACP, I should say my former XDm because I sold it. I completely agree with TunnelRat and the only way I'd touch the factory striker spring in a striker fired pistol would be to INCREASE its weight if a drop-in kit gives you a trigger that's too light for defensive purposes.

TunnelRat, since you mentioned the Ruger SR's, I now have 2 that are very recent production with my SR9 coming directly from Ruger because they offered me a sweetheart deal after I sent them my handload tester, a P-89. I was so impressed with the SR9 that I sold my XDm in .45 ACP to my shooting partner who wanted it, and I bought an SR45. Got it and shot it Monday. The trigger is similar in design to the Glock's except that it is a shorter pull. There are parts available from Ghost that is a trigger reset bar that is similar to the Glock's connector. Ghost has several options for the Ruger's including the "Rocket" that is duty rated at 3.5#. I was given an "Ultimate" from a forum friend because Ghost accidentally sent it to him instead of the "Rocket" he ordered. When he told Ghost about the mistake, they told him to just keep the "Ultimate" and sent him what he ordered. After about 300 rounds you'll notice a good deal of improvement with the Ruger compared to how it comes from the Factory. IMO, this is the best pistol going in polymer framed, striker fired pistols. Ruger outdid themselves with this one and it is easily the best autoloader they've ever made, if not the finest handgun they've ever produced.

Okay you SR 1911 fans can disagree because it is one fine 1911 for the $. But, it was designed by JMB and even considering that Bill Ruger was a genius, the SR9/40/45 doesn't have his fingerprint anywhere on the pistol except for the forward polymer rails in the frame. ;)

PS: No MIM in the Ruger. Nothing less than precision cast stainless/chrome moly and I've even read before where Ed Brown stated that as far as metallurgy, he considered precision cast steel to be the equal of forged. Makes sense because heat treating is a natural process when pouring molten steel into molds.
 
Last edited:
i have the powder river precision kit on my xdm 5.25
had it with the lightest striker indicator spring
many ftf using winchester white box
due to light strikes
dented primers not firing

switched to the oem striker spring and no issues
prp says also maybe the over travel stop is too long so to grind it down a bit might also help eliminate the light strikes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top