New XDm 5.25 9mm and Light Loads

[bpacman]

Hey Gang,

I just got done taking my new XDm 5.25 9mm to the range. My first box was with 124gr FMJ with 5.0gr of W231. It work flawless, but when I switched to a box of "lighter" loads with 124gr FMJ and 4.7gr of W231 they were stove piping on every other round. According my Speer manual the 4.7gr of W231 should give me 1050 fps which is PF of 130,200 so I am not even close to the 125,000 PF.

Should I just hope it breaks in or look at picking up a lighter spring. I foolishly loaded up about 600 rounds of the 4.7gr W231 so I would rather spend some money on a spring than pull bullets for a week.

I bought this gun for shooting IDPA and USPSA.

I would appreciate your thoughts and experience on this.

Bp

[gp55445]

I foolishly loaded up about 600 rounds of the 4.7gr W231...

All I can say is I know where you can buy some 9mm brass cheap and Good Judgement comes from Experience....Unfortunately a lot of that comes from Bad Judgement.

[bpacman]

I foolishly loaded up about 600 rounds of the 4.7gr W231...

All I can say is I know where you can buy some 9mm brass cheap and Good Judgement comes from Experience....Unfortunately a lot of that comes from Bad Judgement.

Stop Stealing My Signature!!!

[TTS]

Break it in! 4.7 of 231 over a 124 should have no problem cycling the slide.

I have to ask, so don't be mad... are you limp wristing it?

[bpacman]

Break it in! 4.7 of 231 over a 124 should have no problem cycling the slide.

I have to ask, so don't be mad... are you limp wristing it?

You know TTS, I asked my self the same question when it happened the first time. 50 rounds later I realized that it it wasn't me.

I did try the rounds on my Sig 228 which worked fine although the recoil was definitely softer than my normal 5.0 gr loads, but the slide did not lock back on the last round.

Being and impulsive jerk like I am, I have already ordered the 14# and 16# spring for the gun. A fool and his money.

Bp

[TTS]

Be sure to update us if it works!

[futbol79]

I have a 40 S&W version of this - encountering stove pipe problems - only after shooting one match. If I clean the gun after each match I seem to be OK. talked to my Gunsmith - he says I need a lighter spring. Trouble is I have the lightest I can find a 14lb Wolf spring.

Just bought a new 14# spring and cleaned my gun. I am shooting light loads (minor rounds) and I will see if this makes a difference.

[grousemaster]

Are the previous posts to be perceived as early "issues" with the touted XDm?

[bulletproof]

Do your loads also fail while doing tactical rolls and back flips? I find my gun functions flawlessly during the few moments it experiences zero g.

Remember it's all about the shooter and not the equipment.

[snlit3]

lol. i'm hoping to start reloading for my xdm (same as yours) needless to say subscribed

[engnerdan]

I own 2 of these guns now 1 in 9 and 1 in 40. I literally have thousands of rounds through my 2 guns in the last 6 months, and I have them running just perfect.

I personally have not stove piped a single round, but female friend of mine can not shoot my IDPA loads because her wrists and arms are not strong enough. Even setup the way I have listed below.

1st thing I would recommend if you REALLY want to make this load work is a lighter recoil spring. Springfield put in an 18lb spring at the factory. Wolff spring sells kits with 14, 16, 18 pound springs get one. I am running a 14lb in my 9mm and a 16 in my 40. But be advised that a 14lb spring is not recommended with the gun 100% stock. The second thing that is needed to support the 14lb spring safely is to cut 3-4 coils off of the striker spring. This is to ensure it locks up. NOTE: This MAY cause a problem igniting some primers, I am using federal #100 small pistol primers. These things are so soft but they always go off. The spring packs from Wolff come with 1 striker spring for each recoil spring so you will have a replacement to go back if you do not like this setup.

If you are going to use this gun for competition I would highly recommend getting the heaviest guide rod that meets the rules of the league you will be shooting on. I run a solid steel for IDPA and a solid tungsten for USPSA. The 9mm gun is incredibly light and VERY snappy with out the added weight up front. If you want to know more about what I have done with my guns I will be glad to tell you what ever I know.


As for loads I am not using W231 but it is a good powder with plenty of load data. My IDPA load is below, with these primers this load flattens the crap out of the primer but I have not had a single, pierced primer, flowed back into the fire pin channel primer, leaking primer. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. This load is dead on accurate and consistent

Precision Bullet Company Moly Coated Lead - 147gr
Federal Small Pistol Primer #100
Powder - WST 3.4gr - WARNING THIS IS NOT DOCUMENTED OR ADVISED TO USE, USE AT YOUR OWN RISK
OAL - 1.100
Power factor - 133

I am looking at switching to SOLO 1000 for the powder but this is very batch sensitive so every time a new container is opened a test batch needs to be loaded and they need to be chrono'ed to find the right amount to load with. For this reason I am staying my course at the moment and using what works. Solo 1000 is best bought in a 4lb or 8lb jug so you only have to chrono very often. If you are looking to load jacketed bullets look at solo, if you are running bare lead or coated lead WST and Solo 1000 are both options.

[MrVvrroomm]

Are the previous posts to be perceived as early "issues" with the touted XDm?

pre-pwn3d

[engnerdan]

I have a 40 S&W version of this - encountering stove pipe problems - only after shooting one match. If I clean the gun after each match I seem to be OK. talked to my Gunsmith - he says I need a lighter spring. Trouble is I have the lightest I can find a 14lb Wolf spring.

Just bought a new 14# spring and cleaned my gun. I am shooting light loads (minor rounds) and I will see if this makes a difference.

How light? I am using 2.8gr clays and a 185gr lead bullet, 14lb spring and no problems. 11 stages and 3 hours of practice with this load and not problems on my gun.

[bpacman]

I own 2 of these guns now 1 in 9 and 1 in 40. I literally have thousands of rounds through my 2 guns in the last 6 months, and I have them running just perfect.

If you are going to use this gun for competition I would highly recommend getting the heaviest guide rod that meets the rules of the league you will be shooting on. I run a solid steel for IDPA and a solid tungsten for USPSA. The 9mm gun is incredibly light and VERY snappy with out the added weight up front. If you want to know more about what I have done with my guns I will be glad to tell you what ever I know.

I really appreciate the info. I may reach out to you when I get the springs in.

Brent

[XDM45]

I've never shot less than 230gr through my XDm .45" .45ACP... Why would you want to shoot a cartridge with less grain?