Recoil spring/guide rod question

J

jmhyer

New member
A friend of mine was advised that he likely needed to replace his guide rod/spring assembly. The reason? ...his empty brass was ejecting too far (about 10 feet) away from the gun. The explanation given was that a weak/worn spring is causing the slide to recoil too vigorously, thereby ejecting spent casings too far.

He is having zero malfunctions and the gun is otherwise running very well. It's a SA XD9, competition model and has the OEM guide rod/spring. He shoots only factory ammo. My guess is that he has maybe 3000-5000 rounds through it since purchased new about three years ago.

My $0.02 was that I wouldn't mess with anything until I was getting definitive malfunctions. The gun is NOT used for carry/self defense.

Any thoughts or opinions from the membership here?
 
That is a fair distance to go to pick up brass; otherwise, I would things alone.

Has the gun always ejected that far or has something changed?

Jim
 
Some manufacturers suggest spring changes at 5000rds... others have longer schedules.


Some of the newer flat wound springs have been shown to last several tens of thousands of rounds.


You can always call SA for their recommendations.

But unless there are problems, I wouldn't bother changing it yet. Its not a defensive use pistol, so no need to be overly preventive. A little preventative is good for the pistol's lifespan, but unless the recoil seems overly sharp, no worries.
 
I'd rather walk 10 feet to collect my brass than have it flying in my face . . but that's just me. I always lose a few but most of mine falls in the same general area - but then I'm shooting on my own range. A public range might be another story but they do make brass catchers. And, my cardiologist tells me I need to keep exercising . . . . .

It could be the reverse. I have a gal friend that I shoot with sometimes. She has a 380 Sig - and is very good with it. One day when we were going shooting, I suggested "that she change her top". She had a nice V neck tee shirt on. It was warm and I suggested she wear something with a higher neck just in case she had a problem with ejection. She pooed poked it and told me I was a "wimp". She changed her tune quite fast about midway through our range section when she got a "very hot" spent casing ejected straight back and down her neck. I don't think I have ever seen her squirm and spin so fast! Plus, it sort of got "wedged in" and she couldn't get it shaken out. Now, she follows my advice. :):rolleyes:
 
Having a spare RSA (recoil spring assembly) is a good thing and is probably readily available. I know it is for the Glock.
 
Get a factory replacement recoil spring assembly and compare. They are inexpensive.

Don't start messing with different Spring Weights.
 
My 1918 vintage Colt 1911 is still throwing brass out without incident using original springs. It will be a hundred years old in three years and i have no intention of replacing any springs.
 
10 ft? I have received notice from the Air Force that some of my spent brass from my glock 20 has been found in lower earth orbit. My recommendation is start looking at revolvers if it bothers too much. : )
 
springs

My Gold Cup has springs that have well passed the 20K mark since last changed. The fired cases drop around my feet.
Pete
 
Thanks for the replies. It doesn't bother him. It's just something that someone commented on as they observed him shooting.

Good advice about just getting a replacement for comparison. It could never hurt to have a spare anyway.:)
 
If brass starts to eject other than when the gun was relatively new, it probably is time for a recoil spring change. I have some guns that have gone well over 10,000 rounds without a change but then when I do change it, it feels almost like a new gun again.

I keep a variety of spare recoil springs in my range bag and some in the area where I work on my guns in my house. My carry guns get changed every 3000 rounds whether they need it or not. Worst time to have a spring failure is in the heat of battle. The average spring from Wolff is about $8. Small price to pay to keep your $1000 firearm running.
 
A much more telling issue is whether the FEEL of the gun in recoil has changed. When a recoil spring has had it, the slide will tend to bang against the slide stop and transmit more vibration through the grip - and it is easy to feel the difference.

Just because the brass is ejecting 10 feet is meaningless, in and of itself.....as long as the gun is functioning correctly. Put it down to stout loads.

If the shooter is well versed with his weapon, he/she should be able to feel when the recoil spring is getting weak. That and close inspection of the slide stop, etc., for signs of impact damage, are the factors by which to decide when a recoil spring must be replaced.
 
That and close inspection of the slide stop, etc., for signs of impact damage, are the factors by which to decide when a recoil spring must be replaced.
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So, if I understand the above statement correctly, one must wait for signs of damage to change the recoil spring? I don't bite off on that for one second.

If you have any doubt as to when to change the recoil spring, follow the manufactures recommendation. If you start to have failures to feed or malfunctions, change the recoil spring.
 
A friend of mine was advised that he likely needed to replace his guide rod/spring assembly. The reason? ...his empty brass was ejecting too far (about 10 feet) away from the gun. The explanation given was that a weak/worn spring is causing the slide to recoil too vigorously, thereby ejecting spent casings too far.

He is having zero malfunctions and the gun is otherwise running very well. It's a SA XD9, competition model and has the OEM guide rod/spring. He shoots only factory ammo. My guess is that he has maybe 3000-5000 rounds through it since purchased new about three years ago.
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If it's the long barrel "Tactical" model, it's got a traditional recoil set up with separate guide rod and single recoil spring. If so, replace the spring, see what happens.

My $0.02 was that I wouldn't mess with anything until I was getting definitive malfunctions. The gun is NOT used for carry/self defense.

Any thoughts or opinions from the membership here?
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Ditto.

Once upon a time, I had a CZ-100. Ejection was crazy inconsistant. All over the place, from barely clearing the barrel, to hitting me on the head, to far away. CZ-USA's gunsmith's response: unless it's actually jamming, there's no problem to address.
 
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