[baruffic]

The only time I unload my primary carry gun, Springfield XD9 subcompact, is when I am going to shoot. I unload my carry ammo, load range ammo, and after I clean my gun I reload with carry ammo. Yesterday I had it out shooting so after I cleaned it I reloaded it and racked a round into the chamber. I have developed a habit of occasionally running my hand over the "loaded chamber indicator" which is really a sticker is cocked indicator on the back of the slide, its just a little button that sticks up.

Sitting in the movie theater, immediately after cleaning and reloading, yesterday I ran my finger over the indicator, and it wasn't there. Ran my finger around a little bit more and realized that the slide had not moved back into position it was a couple of centimeter back. At which point I just pushed it forward and everything seemed fine. After the movie I went into a restroom stall to examine the weapon to see what was wrong. When I tried to pull the slide back to do a visual round inspection it would not budge. I dropped the mag and spent a minute trying to manipulate the slide but it would not budge. As my family was waiting for me I put the mag back in re-holstered and rejoined them. When we got into the restaurant I went back into the bathroom dropped the mag and continued to try and discreetly figure out what was wrong. I ended up using the floor to push the slide back and empty the chamber. At which point I had no further problems with the slide everything functioned normally. I took it out today and shot a couple rounds through it to double check and no issues.

I am wondering any ideas what was wrong, and what would have been the proper way to deal with that situation?

 

[ccw9mm]

Sitting in a movie theater, I'm assuming you had your firearm holstered on your hip. If so, how did you run your finger over the loaded-chamber indicator? And, holstered, your gun's slide was almost 1" back?

What holster, carry mode (IWB, pocket, whatever)?

 

[ItalianSteel]

The XD9 has a little 'bump' pin that extrudes from the rear top-side of the slide when there is a round in the chamber
(pictured unloaded):

I assume he could run his thumb or so and feel it while holstered IWB/OWB.

 

[dukalmighty]

I personally wouldn't be messing around with a gun in a public place,if it's in battery with a live round even if the slide seems stuck it should go bang if you need it,an out of spec round can cause the slide to stick trying to pull back by hand, if there is something mechanically wrong do you really want to risk an ND in a public place.
The pin sticking out of the back shows the striker is "cocked" and has nothing to do with a loaded chamber,the loaded chamber indicaror is above the breech face and sticks up when there is a case in the chamber

A SAFER way to handle it is wait til you get home

 

[OldMick]

I agree with dukalmighty. The "safer way to handle it" is to simply leave it holstered and untouched until you get home, or immediately take it to your car and store it in the gun safe for the rest of the evening.

As to what could be wrong - as ccw9mm noted "a couple of centimeters" out of battery is about an inch, so I'm thinking you meant to type "millimeters". If that's so, then my first guess might be an out of spec. cartridge not fully seated in the chamber. Not impossible, but I would think somewhat unusual for premium defensive ammo. Certainly possible though.

 

[matthew03]

An XD's slide will not move if the grip safety isn't depressed. Were you trying to manipulate the slide without fully depressing the grip safety? If the GS was depressed then something was locked up and/or not working properly, possibly the recoil spring/guide rod was blocking the slide from moving. You need to figure out if parts are worn, something was assembled incorrectly after a field strip, or it was operator error involving the grip safety.

Also you are using the incorrect term for the part you are talking about, the silver colored indicator on the back of the slide is the "Cocked Striker Indicator" and tells you the striker is back and ready to fire, the "Loaded Chamber Indicator" is the metal lever on the rear/top of the ejection port, that indicates a round is chambered. Never trust a Loaded Chamber Indicator as a means of identifying the weapon is unloaded, only a visual and tactile inspection of the chamber is proof.

 

[miller_man]

Sounds like when you loaded it, you somehow eased the slide back into battery. Another good reason for the recommended slingshot method. Also this is why you should do a press check, and a quick visual check after to make sure everything is good to go.

Obviously you had some concerns once you realized something wasn't right, and I probably would have went to the bathroom to do a simple inspection. But I think that's where it would of ended for me - I'm NOT gonna be working on a gun in a public bathroom - just WAY to much of a setup for a whole lot of things to go terribly wrong. It would have sucked, and I would have been bothered about it the whole time, but that's one where you just have to wait until you get home to deal with.

 

[archer51]

The theater and a restaurant are not the places you want to be clearing malfunctions. It's a recipe for disaster IMO. Then I also don't mess with my gun at all once it is in the holster, you should check it over when you load it, then leave it alone.

 

[foxytwo]

All the above info is the correct way. Do not mess with your firearm in a public place.

 

[Mike1956]

I always do a complete function test, immediately after re-assembly.

 

[Tundra5.7]

An XD's slide will not move if the grip safety isn't depressed. Were you trying to manipulate the slide without fully depressing the grip safety? If the GS was depressed then something was locked up and/or not working properly, possibly the recoil spring/guide rod was blocking the slide from moving. You need to figure out if parts are worn, something was assembled incorrectly after a field strip, or it was operator error involving the grip safety.

Also you are using the incorrect term for the part you are talking about, the silver colored indicator on the back of the slide is the "Cocked Striker Indicator" and tells you the striker is back and ready to fire, the "Loaded Chamber Indicator" is the metal lever on the rear/top of the ejection port, that indicates a round is chambered. Never trust a Loaded Chamber Indicator as a means of identifying the weapon is unloaded, only a visual and tactile inspection of the chamber is proof.

Excellent advice here!

 

[oldnfat]

What he said.

 

[baruffic]

The XD9 has a little 'bump' pin that extrudes from the rear top-side of the slide when there is a round in the chamber
(pictured unloaded):

I assume he could run his thumb or so and feel it while holstered IWB/OWB.

Yes, I carry IWB and can run my thumb over it while holstered through my shirt.

 

[baruffic]

An XD's slide will not move if the grip safety isn't depressed. Were you trying to manipulate the slide without fully depressing the grip safety? If the GS was depressed then something was locked up and/or not working properly, possibly the recoil spring/guide rod was blocking the slide from moving. You need to figure out if parts are worn, something was assembled incorrectly after a field strip, or it was operator error involving the grip safety.

Also you are using the incorrect term for the part you are talking about, the silver colored indicator on the back of the slide is the "Cocked Striker Indicator" and tells you the striker is back and ready to fire, the "Loaded Chamber Indicator" is the metal lever on the rear/top of the ejection port, that indicates a round is chambered. Never trust a Loaded Chamber Indicator as a means of identifying the weapon is unloaded, only a visual and tactile inspection of the chamber is proof.

I had the thumb safety depressed and the slide would not budge. I was actually attempting a visual inspection which is how I figured out the slide wouldn't budge. I took it out yesterday and the weapon cycled perfectly no issues. I took it apart and cleaned it again and reassembled still with no issues. Probably should have just left it alone, but I hate not having a functioning weapon especially when I am out with my whole family. I should have done a better job checking it before I took it out for the evening.

 

[Snub44]

...think BUG...excellent example of why one is necessary...

 

[floggindave]

Do you mean the grip safety OP? The XD's do not have a thumb safety, unless i am mistaken. It's possible I am. Also, I'd try to get out of the habit of touching the firearm while it's holstered, unless you think it's not properly holstered. Checking if the striker indicator is there is gonna show someone that you're carrying, possibly the wrong person.

 

[Snub44]

...some do, some don't

Springfield Armory

 

[baruffic]

Do you mean the grip safety OP? The XD's do not have a thumb safety, unless i am mistaken. It's possible I am. Also, I'd try to get out of the habit of touching the firearm while it's holstered, unless you think it's not properly holstered. Checking if the striker indicator is there is gonna show someone that you're carrying, possibly the wrong person.

Sorry yes grip safety. Good point I should probably break that habit.

 

[1MoreGoodGuy]

After reassembly, perform a function check, load your ammo, visually inspect and then holster the firearm. After that there should be no need to touch your firearm until you need to use it.

Trying to manipulate your firearm while trying to diagnose a problem is not something you should be doing in public.

 

[lchamp]

All the above info is the correct way. Do not mess with your firearm in a public place.

Concur. Also, a learning opportunity here...after loading, I inspect gun to see if all is well before holstering.