cs86
03-11-2014, 04:46 PM
I'm sure there will be some different opinions on this, but I'd like to share and get some feedback on my experience. I'm not sure if I'm nit picking or if there is a legitimate reason of concern in the lead shooting world. I'd also like to know what thoughts are with the experience I had with Springfield.
I've recently bought a XDM tactical 5.25" .45ACP with great excitement to send some lead down range. I also own a 9mm XDM and .45ACP XDS. When I slugged my XDS I was surprised to see how tight the barrel was (groove slightly below .450). So upon ordering my tactical I expected with a match grade barrel that it would come close to the .450 groove diameter, but after slugging twice, it came out to .451 to .452 (slightly oval). I haven't shot it yet, but my initial fear is that I'll have to size at .453 to .454 and then worry about chambering the bullet. I'm sure some will tell me not to stew over it until I shoot it. Part of the reason I'm pondering this is because I had a Kimber with a similar situation, and I no longer own because of the problems it gave me with lead.
I decided to look at the SAAMI spec and see what the typical size is suppose to be and see what the tolerance is. I'm not completely certain that I'm reading it correctly, but it appears that groove diameter is suppose to be .450 with a +.004 tol. I thought I'd call Springfield and ask what their tolerance variation of there barrels are for the match grade barrels. I explained the difference in diameter between the XDS and the tactical that I own. I also explained that my intent was to shoot lead and that fit was the primary concern.
Customer service didn't seem to have much of a clue, so he sent me on to the next guy that was suppose to be knowledgeable of my concerns. He seemed to think powder and how much heat it produced made more of a difference then fit. He said he thought I was overlooking it and I should be fine with anything I shoot out of it. I thought I'd be talking to a competent person that probably seen questions like this, but felt they had no experience with shooting lead.
This community has taught me that fit is king and that .001 can make a difference. I have experienced when the fit isn't working I pay the consequence of scrubbing. Am I nit picking over the new barrel for a good reason? Do you think customer support handled it right?
I've recently bought a XDM tactical 5.25" .45ACP with great excitement to send some lead down range. I also own a 9mm XDM and .45ACP XDS. When I slugged my XDS I was surprised to see how tight the barrel was (groove slightly below .450). So upon ordering my tactical I expected with a match grade barrel that it would come close to the .450 groove diameter, but after slugging twice, it came out to .451 to .452 (slightly oval). I haven't shot it yet, but my initial fear is that I'll have to size at .453 to .454 and then worry about chambering the bullet. I'm sure some will tell me not to stew over it until I shoot it. Part of the reason I'm pondering this is because I had a Kimber with a similar situation, and I no longer own because of the problems it gave me with lead.
I decided to look at the SAAMI spec and see what the typical size is suppose to be and see what the tolerance is. I'm not completely certain that I'm reading it correctly, but it appears that groove diameter is suppose to be .450 with a +.004 tol. I thought I'd call Springfield and ask what their tolerance variation of there barrels are for the match grade barrels. I explained the difference in diameter between the XDS and the tactical that I own. I also explained that my intent was to shoot lead and that fit was the primary concern.
Customer service didn't seem to have much of a clue, so he sent me on to the next guy that was suppose to be knowledgeable of my concerns. He seemed to think powder and how much heat it produced made more of a difference then fit. He said he thought I was overlooking it and I should be fine with anything I shoot out of it. I thought I'd be talking to a competent person that probably seen questions like this, but felt they had no experience with shooting lead.
This community has taught me that fit is king and that .001 can make a difference. I have experienced when the fit isn't working I pay the consequence of scrubbing. Am I nit picking over the new barrel for a good reason? Do you think customer support handled it right?