[SubSonicSquid]

I think I may have run into a Fat Fred problem. I was told by a salesman in a store that Springfield's XD's had a recoil spring problem, especially the 40, and that there have already been several recalls. I got the impression that he was more brand-biased than anything else...because he seemed to have a negative comment about every gun I brought up except Beretta. But, since the XD is one of the pistols I am considering for my first personal CCW, I'm wondering if this info is accurate. Thanks.

Dave...or Davy whose still in the Navy <g>

 

[Dean Speir]

I think I may have run into a Fat Fred problem.

You mean, I believe, "Fat Frank," yes?

Naturally, I'm delighted that the term has started to enter the lexicon.

I was told by a salesman in a store that Springfield's XD's had a recoil spring problem, especially the 40, and that there have already been several recalls. I got the impression that he was more brand-biased than anything else...because he seemed to have a negative comment about every gun I brought up except Beretta. But, since the XD is one of the pistols I am considering for my first personal CCW, I'm wondering if this info is accurate.

In all seriousness, Dave, I'd trust my perceptions on this one as I have heard no information on this. I did a bit of research, and the only thing I could find was, possibly, some early extractor problems which seem to have been addressed.

A good way to find out if you even want to be in that particular gun store is to ask him to show you the "recall notice" or, if Springfield is going the Glock route, the "product upgrade notice."

If he shows you the documentation, fine&#8230; though I think I'd probably tell him, "Well, seems to be a reputable company" (though anyone who goes back 12-18 years with the Rees brothers would choke on such a pronouncement!).

If he lamely gives you the ol' Fat Frank fakeroo "that's-what-I-heard" bullroar, I'd invite him for an on-board tour of your ship so you could "show him the wheels." (Old joke.)

Or, if you were really out to rehabilitate him, bring him up before his boss and let him know what a career-limiting move he just made, since such hogwash reflects badly on the credibility and reputation of the entire gun store.

And if he is the boss, flee like a stricken doe and get thee to another gun store!

 

[SubSonicSquid]

I realized after I posted that "Fat Fred" line that it should've been Frank...d'oh!!!!

And thanks...he made some other "questionable claims" as to his bona-fides...and I was suitably underwhelmed.

Since I'm in the middle of Texas now, there ain't a whole lot of ships...but if he showed up on mine, I'd make sure to show him the wheels, and of course, their special "relative" bearings!! <eg>

Dave

D) <---Sailor emoticon...notice the dixie-cup hat!!!

 

[Dean Speir]

I've always prided m'self on knowing who to go to for answers that I don't have, and my first shot at this yielded the following:

There have been no recalls of any kind on the XD. And Springfield is even covering the warranty of the earlier HS2000 even though they had nothing to do with the pistol at that time.

I personally think the spring is a little weak on the XD40, and it could use a little more force at the installed length to hold the slide in battery a little more firmly. The recoil spring is what "cocks" the striker, and when cocked the striker spring force against the recoil spring force is close to neutral. I could shake my pistol and get about 1/8" of movement on the slide when cocked. When I made up my aftermarket design, one of the clear improvements was that the slide is held firm against the striker spring force. The upside of the dual spring factory design is that the springs should have a long life.

The writer is one Don Sverdrup who, as you can perhaps discern, knows a thing or three about the XD and its progenitor, the HS2000.

I think your next move might be to run your ersatz "Fat Frank" through the drill&#8230; I freakin' hate it when people like than are put in a position, professionally, and use that position to speak authoritatively where there's either an undisclosed agenda, or more commonly, a total lack of knowledge about which they presume to speak. While everyone points to used car salesmen as the worst examples, I've always thought that they pale beside real estate salespeople, most of whom would be better served whistling at sailors in San Diego. But you remind me that the "Fat Franks" of the world are the worst, because potential customers go to them, often with no knowledge of their own, and trust them to give them the straight skinny.

Doom to the Fat Frank faction!

 

[Charlie Petty]

I'll echo Dean's comments for I've had quite a bit of experience with the various iterations and have nothing but good expereince. Actually if I wasn't so completely 1911ish I might even carry one.

And when you get your favorite gunshop cowboy on the boat be sure to send him to find the helmsman's balls...

 

[SubSonicSquid]

One other note...this guy was apparently the firearms manager in the "Hunting Department" of an at least semi-national sporting goods chain...and somebody who doesn't know enough to keep looking could be led down a primrose path by this idiot. And the Beretta 9000 he kept trying to push on me was TERRIBLE to me...slide was so short, I couldn't get an effective grip on it...even with the serrations!!

Dave

 

[TBeck]

The XD is a nice pistol. I'm very happy with mine. I'm even considering getting a larger-caliber version but I think I'll wait and see if a .45 ACP version is in the works and how the .45 GAP version shakes out. It would be pretty funny if the XD was to become the vehicle for the .45 GAP's popularity.

Speaking for myself, the XD has a better "feel" in my hand than the finger-grooved Glock grips. The XD trigger feels a touch heavier than the Glock but I think it feels better, smoother. I also like the grip safety, but I'm not sure why.