The factory pin that holds the striker in place is a split style roll pin. These are well known to be the weak link in the XD/XDm platform especially if you dry fire without snap caps.
I have always meant to change out my “split roll” pin to a more robust “coiled” roll pin.
It was never a huge priority for me because I always dry fire with snap caps. I had to order some stuff, so I added a pack of the coiled pins to my order.
I changed the pin out today. I had a hell of a time getting the factory split roll pin out. When it did go, it came out in two pieces. It was broken almost exactly in half. I was in disbelief.
I just shot 100 rounds through it with no issues. The gun probably has 2k through it.
I post this because this pin failure could have rendered the gun inoperable. And that could have happened at the worst time, when I needed it most.
I urge owners of this platform to make this pin a priority. I though that I was just being “better safe than sorry.” But, in reality I had a real problem.
Pic of the new vs old pin:
I have always meant to change out my “split roll” pin to a more robust “coiled” roll pin.
It was never a huge priority for me because I always dry fire with snap caps. I had to order some stuff, so I added a pack of the coiled pins to my order.
I changed the pin out today. I had a hell of a time getting the factory split roll pin out. When it did go, it came out in two pieces. It was broken almost exactly in half. I was in disbelief.
I just shot 100 rounds through it with no issues. The gun probably has 2k through it.
I post this because this pin failure could have rendered the gun inoperable. And that could have happened at the worst time, when I needed it most.
I urge owners of this platform to make this pin a priority. I though that I was just being “better safe than sorry.” But, in reality I had a real problem.
Pic of the new vs old pin: