The Firearm Blog

These photos are of a Springfield XD .45 was blown up after a squib load (a low powered load that does not have enough energy to push the bullet out the muzzle) blocked the barrel and another full power loaded round was fired.

The pressure generated blew off the top of the chamber, caused a bulge in the slide, and gorged the frame and also destroyed the extractor and loaded chamber indicator.

Note the bulge in the slide next to the chamber.

I am pleased to be able to say that the shooter was not injured. He is one lucky guy.

More info at XDTalk forum.

Hat Tip: Blue Gun Blog

Following his article about Glock safety Rob has written an article explaining the differences between the safeties in the Glock and XD.

If the Glock firing pin is partially retracted and the Springfield XD is fully retracted we could draw the conclusion that the Glock is half-cocked while the XD is cocked and locked. Both will fire if there is an accident. Both have safeties in place to prevent this from happening. If the only unique safety on the XD’s is the grip safety, how does it work? It looks like the grip safety on the 1911, but it definitely does not quack like the same duck.

More here.