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XD 45 ACP recoil spring too stiff

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HanniblTheCrow

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I have an XD 45 ACP Service Model that I have owned for almost 15 years. l have around 3000 rounds through it and I really love to shoot it at the range. I can practically drive nails with it within 20 feet. But, after all these years it is so hard for me to rack the slide. The recoil spring is so stiff. I am 76 years old and I don't have the hand strength I had when I was younger. Like I said, I can rack it but it is really difficult. I have talked to a few gun smiths in my area and they tell me it is just "The Nature Of The Beast". I am physically racking it the right way, Not with my thumb and index finger either. I ask about putting a slightly lighter recoil spring in it and non of the gun smiths will do it. I am not sure what I can do other than sell it and get me a different 45. But, I really would rather keep it. I have other guns but I love shooting this one so much. Any help you can give me or advice I greatly appreciate.
 
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Competition Slide Racker - for Springfield XD/XDM/ELITE

Competition Slide Racker - for Springfield Armory XD/XDM/ELITE 9mm .40cal .45ACP 10MM
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Might or might not be a help. I had to drop down in caliber from .4* calibers, due to arthritis in my thumbs. Hope you find something that helps. But, if you have to change it is not the end of the world.
 
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HanniblTheCrow said:
I have an XD 45 ACP Service Model that I have owned for almost 15 years. l have around 3000 rounds through it and I really love to shoot it at the range. I can practically drive nails with it within 20 feet. But, after all these years it is so hard for me to rack the slide. The recoil spring is so stiff. I am 76 years old and I don't have the hand strength I had when I was younger. Like I said, I can rack it but it is really difficult. I have talked to a few gun smiths in my area and they tell me it is just "The Nature Of The Beast". I am physically racking it the right way, Not with my thumb and index finger either. I ask about putting a slightly lighter recoil spring in it and non of the gun smiths will do it. I am not sure what I can do other than sell it and get me a different 45. But, I really would rather keep it. I have other guns but I love shooting this one so much. Any help you can give me or advice I greatly appreciate.
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My dad had the same issue when he got to about 78 or 79. He solved it by giving me all his 1911s and all his big revolvers. I bought him a Shield EZ. He loves it. Though at this point in his dementia I don’t think he’ll ever shoot again. 😕
 
HanniblTheCrow said:
I have an XD 45 ACP Service Model that I have owned for almost 15 years. l have around 3000 rounds through it and I really love to shoot it at the range. I can practically drive nails with it within 20 feet. But, after all these years it is so hard for me to rack the slide. The recoil spring is so stiff. I am 76 years old and I don't have the hand strength I had when I was younger. Like I said, I can rack it but it is really difficult. I have talked to a few gun smiths in my area and they tell me it is just "The Nature Of The Beast". I am physically racking it the right way, Not with my thumb and index finger either. I ask about putting a slightly lighter recoil spring in it and non of the gun smiths will do it. I am not sure what I can do other than sell it and get me a different 45. But, I really would rather keep it. I have other guns but I love shooting this one so much. Any help you can give me or advice I greatly appreciate.
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You could call and talk to them. Wolff has been round for a long time.
 
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Yea, they don’t make a lighter RSA for this gun, you also have to remember the spring is designed for this gun, if you try using a lighter one, the pistol may not function correctly and will more then likely beat on the gun, meaning more wear on it, as stated you may want to invest in one of the slide rackers.
 
Lighter spring may just beat the tar out of the frame. With a polymer frame you may be trading one devil for a meaner devil that destroys the frame.

HanniblTheCrow said:
Yea I have seen that one before. I was wondering if grip tape on the slide would help.
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The recoil spring is so stiff. I am 76 years old and I don't have the hand strength
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I have to ask, how would grip tape make a difference?
I believe your best answer is the slide racker or if you have the option to put a optic on it and use the optic against a table to rack the slide.
 
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Pitdogg2 said:
Lighter spring may just beat the tar out of the frame. With a polymer frame you may be trading one devil for a meaner devil that destroys the frame.



I have to ask, how would grip tape make a difference?
I believe your best answer is the slide racker or if you have the option to put a optic on it and use the optic against a table to rack the slide.
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I was just thinking that grip tape might make it easier to grip the top of the slide with my left hand. my left hand just doesn't seem to keep grip on the slide. But I just thought it might be worth a try. I'm just not sure.
 
In all honesty it might be close to time to drop down to 9mm and something like the EZ. Do it preemptive now while you can still shoot enough rounds to master a new pistol platform easily.

That's what I have done. My Dr is a shooter and he recommended it a couple years ago because of arthritis in the thumbs. So I sold all my 4 calibers. Dropped down to 357 mag and 38s in revolvers and .380 and 9mm in pistols calibers.

Sure it feels odd but you get used to it. And honestly I do not feel underarmed.
 
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Sld1959 said:
In all honesty it might be close to time to drop down to 9mm and something like the EZ. Do it preemptive now while you can still shoot enough rounds to master a new pistol platform easily.

That's what I have done. My Dr is a shooter and he recommended it a couple years ago because of arthritis in the thumbs. So I sold all my 4 calibers. Dropped down to 357 mag and 38s in revolvers and .380 and 9mm in pistols calibers.

Sure it feels odd but you get used to it. And honestly I do not feel underarmed.
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I have three 9mm's and a 380 and I have no problems racking the slide on any of them. But, I really just like the way this XD 45 shoots. It's really sweet. Is it my main carry? No, my main carry is my 9mm S&W Shield. I just dont want to give up on this 45 if I don't have too.
 
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