XD not locking back after last shot

My XD 9mm 5" has stopped locking to the rear after the last round is fired. The gun has had over 2000 rounds through it

Any ideas

Could be lots of things. Gun dirty, Slide stop broken, Problem with magazine follower, and could be ammo related, I have seen pistols using ammo reloaded a little too hot not locking slide back on last shot.

The mag follower comment made me think. Could be my mag spring has lost tension from being left loaded. It doesn't do it every time.

If you've been using the same two mags that came with the gun through 2k rounds my first guess would be that the mag followers are causing your problems. Is this a problem when using other mags? Can you lock the slide back manually? If followers are your problem it's OK. Those things are cheap.

Never leave your mags fully loaded for long periods of time. This applies to ALL mags. The springs will lose tensions when exposed to that much stress. Leave them one or two rounds short when carrying.

Caleb C wrote:Never leave your mags fully loaded for long periods of time. This applies to ALL mags. The springs will lose tensions when exposed to that much stress. Leave them one or two rounds short when carrying.

Storing magazines loaded vs unloaded, that's a topic that gets debated as much as 9mm vs 45acp.

I don't think leaving magazines loaded for long periods of time is going to effect the performance, unless you're talking about 30 years or more. If compressing the springs in bad for them, how come firing pin springs in most pistol that are under compression all the time don't lose tension? Coil springs on cars are compressed all the time, they don't sag or wear out from a car just sitting around. Fulling loading a magazine will not push the spring past it's elastic limit.

Loading and unloading a magazine alot will do more damage to the spring than leaving it loaded.

My xD(M)9 does the same thing. I really have to watch my strong side thumb as it will ride the slide lock.

Yeah something is worn out because it used to lock back everytime. I'll start with followers and springs and see what I come up with.

jbpmidas wrote:My xD(M)9 does the same thing. I really have to watch my strong side thumb as it will ride the slide lock.

This will do it every time. Have you changed your grip any? If not it's going to be a mag problem.

XD357, you may be right. I hope you are but I'd rather be safe than sorry. My ten and fifteen round mags are loaded one round short and 30 round mags are loaded three rounds short. I've never had a mag problem so the system seems to be working. Who knows, may be it doesn't really matter but I'd prefer there be no room for question in the event that I have to pull my gun in a "stressful" situation.

my 10rd mags wont lock the slide back on my XD 40 service or Subcompact.. but the 12rds will.. and never had a problem out of the short 9rd mags in the SC.. they stay loaded all the time cause one stays in the pistol and the other in my pocket..

mine has done it twice on my xd40 tac. It is my strong hand thumb I think. in fact it it did it just today. I am not real overwhelmed with the gun to start with. It may go up on the selling block real soon.
after 200 rounds I just am starting to not like it.

Some guns just aren't compatible with every shooter but the XD really is a fine pistol. I put thousands of rounds through my XD45 with out a single hiccup that wasn't MY fault. If you're willing to alter the way you shoot the XD will serve you well for a long long time. I hate to see anyone give up such an outstanding weapon but your comfort level is just as important as the gun you carry. If you don't like it may be you should trade out but then again it my be worth the effort to give the ole XD another chance.

Just my opinion. (They are like butt holes.......opinions that is.)

buy a 1911 and you wont have that problem

You may get rid of THAT problem but you'll be inviting in a long list of new problems.


Just messing with you, buddy. Almost any 1911 makes for trustworthy ally.

1911 is one of my next two guns to buy.

I've always used a high ride grip on my 1911's where I rested my thumb on top of the safety when firing.

When I put that xdguys extended slide stop on my gun I was also thumbing it too causing the slide to not lock. Its a hard habit to break.

Leaving your mags loaded WILL NOT WEAR THE SPRING OUT.

Springs are worn out by compression/decompression cycles.

They are not worn out by pushing on the spring and holding it there.

Will_M wrote:Leaving your mags loaded WILL NOT WEAR THE SPRING OUT.

Springs are worn out by compression/decompression cycles.

They are not worn out by pushing on the spring and holding it there.

this is 100% true! material fatigue is an special area of mine I work as a QC/QA annalist for a company that makes spiral wound large bore gas line. 36 inch in circum x .618 thick x 80 feet long. heat and rapid cooling has more of an effect of mag springs than stationary tension .

I also become basically a spring expert building cvt race clutches in highly tuned 800 can am atvs lol!

Good info on the springs. The entire problem was user error. I took it to the range and payed very close attension to my strong side thumb. I have mysteriously changed my grip and began holding the slide release. Now I just gotta break a habit I acquired over night some how. I knew it couldn't be my xd.