lino
05-07-2010, 12:18 PM
got this off another forum
http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/xd-45acp-discussion-room/141370-50-cent-trigger-job.html
I thought my XD45C had a decent trigger. That was until I found something better. The M&P45C has a shorter uptake, clean release, shorter overtravel, and shorter reset. The XD45C has a smoother uptake, lower release weight, more overtravel, and longer reset. With no manual safety and a moderately light pull weight, the XD's long uptake is not such a bad idea from a safety view point. However, the excessive overtravel was degrading accuracy.
I have fixed overtravel buy Super Gluing an external trigger stop to the back of the trigger guard of other pistols with excellent results. Those being a CZ75 Phantom 9mm and Beretta 87 22LR. Very different types of pistols, but both in need of overtravel reduction. They went from merely average to tack drivers.
I applied the overtravel stop to my XD45C and the results are fantastic. Before, the front sight would twitch during dry fire practice, and too much concentration was needed on grip and trigger tension. Now it is rock steady with far less effort. The trigger pull action is much more consistent, the overtravel is eliminated, and the reset is slightly shorter as a side benefit.
I call it a 50 cent trigger job because the only thing I needed to buy was a 50 cent neoprene washer. The other materials I had laying around my work shop and office: single-hole paper punch, Loctite brand Super Glue (Brush-On), tweezers, alcohol wipe, medium file, measuring calipers, and scissors.
Triple check that the magazine is out, the chamber is empty, and there is no ammo in the room. Then check again. Make sure the chamber is empty. You will have to pull the trigger a few times during this modification, so the pistol MUST be empty.
Cut a strip of material from the neoprene washer. Most are about 1.7 mm (1/16")thick. Holding this strip behind the trigger, dry fire the empty gun, pointed in a safe direction. My XD45C needed a 2.0 mm thick neoprene piece so I had to pare down and file a thicker neoprene washer down to 2.0 mm. My XD9C did fine with a standard 1.7 mm (1/16") thick neoprene washer. The dry fired gun should go click without needing extra force on the trigger, but not have more than 0.5 mm overtravel. Err on it not being too thick. The neoprene material has some give, so in case the pistol somehow gets out of spec, a harder trigger pull will allow the neoprene to compress and the trigger will still work.
Once the thickness of the neoprene material has been established, cut out a small disk of neoprene with the paper punch. I used to carefully cut a small rectangle of neoprene, but with a disc you don't need to line it up straight. Lightly coat one side of the disk with Super Glue (less is better than too much) and using the tweezers place the neoprene disc carefully on the back of the trigger guard where the trigger makes its rear contact (about 4 mm below the slot for the trigger). Do not get glue on the back of the trigger or trigger slot or anywhere near the trigger moving parts. Do not put the disc on the trigger itself. The XD trigger has a central moving safety lever that will be ruined if you get Super Glue on it. The brush-on Super Glue is easy to work with and gives you a few seconds to fine tune the position of the disc. Press it in place for 15 seconds. Allow it to set for a few minutes and make sure no trace of glue is on the trigger side of the disc. If you screw up, you can always peel it off and start over. Now check for empty again and dry fire to make sure the trigger functions and will release the striker without binding and without needing any extra trigger pressure.
With the overtravel reduced, I think you will find that the gun holds much steadier during dry fire and will shoot more accurately at the range. The reset distance is also slightly reduced as a side benefit. The uptake and trigger pull weight are not changed. When I get the chance, I will upload a post trigger job test fire grouping.
http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/xd-45acp-discussion-room/141370-50-cent-trigger-job.html
I thought my XD45C had a decent trigger. That was until I found something better. The M&P45C has a shorter uptake, clean release, shorter overtravel, and shorter reset. The XD45C has a smoother uptake, lower release weight, more overtravel, and longer reset. With no manual safety and a moderately light pull weight, the XD's long uptake is not such a bad idea from a safety view point. However, the excessive overtravel was degrading accuracy.
I have fixed overtravel buy Super Gluing an external trigger stop to the back of the trigger guard of other pistols with excellent results. Those being a CZ75 Phantom 9mm and Beretta 87 22LR. Very different types of pistols, but both in need of overtravel reduction. They went from merely average to tack drivers.
I applied the overtravel stop to my XD45C and the results are fantastic. Before, the front sight would twitch during dry fire practice, and too much concentration was needed on grip and trigger tension. Now it is rock steady with far less effort. The trigger pull action is much more consistent, the overtravel is eliminated, and the reset is slightly shorter as a side benefit.
I call it a 50 cent trigger job because the only thing I needed to buy was a 50 cent neoprene washer. The other materials I had laying around my work shop and office: single-hole paper punch, Loctite brand Super Glue (Brush-On), tweezers, alcohol wipe, medium file, measuring calipers, and scissors.
Triple check that the magazine is out, the chamber is empty, and there is no ammo in the room. Then check again. Make sure the chamber is empty. You will have to pull the trigger a few times during this modification, so the pistol MUST be empty.
Cut a strip of material from the neoprene washer. Most are about 1.7 mm (1/16")thick. Holding this strip behind the trigger, dry fire the empty gun, pointed in a safe direction. My XD45C needed a 2.0 mm thick neoprene piece so I had to pare down and file a thicker neoprene washer down to 2.0 mm. My XD9C did fine with a standard 1.7 mm (1/16") thick neoprene washer. The dry fired gun should go click without needing extra force on the trigger, but not have more than 0.5 mm overtravel. Err on it not being too thick. The neoprene material has some give, so in case the pistol somehow gets out of spec, a harder trigger pull will allow the neoprene to compress and the trigger will still work.
Once the thickness of the neoprene material has been established, cut out a small disk of neoprene with the paper punch. I used to carefully cut a small rectangle of neoprene, but with a disc you don't need to line it up straight. Lightly coat one side of the disk with Super Glue (less is better than too much) and using the tweezers place the neoprene disc carefully on the back of the trigger guard where the trigger makes its rear contact (about 4 mm below the slot for the trigger). Do not get glue on the back of the trigger or trigger slot or anywhere near the trigger moving parts. Do not put the disc on the trigger itself. The XD trigger has a central moving safety lever that will be ruined if you get Super Glue on it. The brush-on Super Glue is easy to work with and gives you a few seconds to fine tune the position of the disc. Press it in place for 15 seconds. Allow it to set for a few minutes and make sure no trace of glue is on the trigger side of the disc. If you screw up, you can always peel it off and start over. Now check for empty again and dry fire to make sure the trigger functions and will release the striker without binding and without needing any extra trigger pressure.
With the overtravel reduced, I think you will find that the gun holds much steadier during dry fire and will shoot more accurately at the range. The reset distance is also slightly reduced as a side benefit. The uptake and trigger pull weight are not changed. When I get the chance, I will upload a post trigger job test fire grouping.