Excessive slide rail wear on a new Hellcat after only 50 rounds or normal?

2387 Views 23 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Hellraiser, 6 mo ago

Komodo1942

Discussion Starter · 7 mo ago

Hello all, just shot my brand new Hellcat micro OSP yesterday. Living in CA, this was a massive accomplishment to be able to find one of these not being a cop. It's a lot snappier than I expected but shot great nonetheless and I didn't have any malfunctions. I kept shooting to the left with it but it must have just been me because my shooting partner was able to shoot straight with it no prob. (My excuse to get a red dot for it.) The trigger feels pretty much identical to a Glock 19/Glock 26. The photo below is after 50 rounds of regular Winchester 115gr FMJ target ammo. You are looking at the rear left slide rail. The front left isn't as bad but has some wear on it too. Front right rail also has some wear.

Just curious if this is a normal amount of wear after only 50 rounds (gun was properly lubed). Would appreciate if anyone could post a photo of their rails with their approximate round count.

Thanks!

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BLLefkay

· #2 · 7 mo ago (Edited)

Thinking it’s a holster issue. Here’s my only wear (very light) on front and I practice dry firing dozens of times daily. Of course, if were used, former owner may have did some touch up on it. Changing my tune, probably dropped and tried to clean, looks like it was sanded.

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Komodo1942

Discussion Starter · #3 · 7 mo ago

BLLefkay said:
Thinking it’s a holster issue. Here’s my only wear (very light) on front and I practice dry firing dozens of times daily. Of course, if were used, former owner may have did some touch up on it. Changing my tune, probably dropped and tried to clean, looks like it was sanded.

I'm referring to the rails that hold the slide (once the slide is removed). The gun was brand new when I purchased it and was never holstered. That's just wear from shooting the first 50 rounds which wasn't there before.

BLLefkay

· #4 · 7 mo ago

My bust, didn’t look at picture close enough, thought I was looking at outside slide, lol!

unclebob

· #5 · 7 mo ago

I would give Springfield a call, don't look right to me.

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WVSurveyor

· #6 · 7 mo ago

Take a look at the slide and feel to see if there are any burrs or rough areas in the rail groove on that side. I know you said it was properly lubed but I don't see any lube in the picture. Maybe you wiped it off before taking the pic. It does appear to be a little excessive.

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BLLefkay

· #7 · 7 mo ago

2

Just put 55 rounds through mine.

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Komodo1942

Discussion Starter · #8 · 7 mo ago

BLLefkay said:
Just put 55 rounds through mine. View attachment 3474
View attachment 3475

Thanks for the pic. At least I know the wear is similar to mine with the same round count.

Komodo1942

Discussion Starter · #9 · 7 mo ago

WVSurveyor said:
Take a look at the slide and feel to see if there are any burrs or rough areas in the rail groove on that side. I know you said it was properly lubed but I don't see any lube in the picture. Maybe you wiped it off before taking the pic. It does appear to be a little excessive.

I just slid a pick through the rails and didn't feel any rough areas or burrs anywhere. The slide itself barely even had any wear on it. And yes, that pic was after I cleaned it. When I was shooting, it was lubed with Gun Butter.

I'm taking an XD to a gunsmith next week so I'll bring the Hellcat along and ask him his opinion. Springfield will probably just tell me to send it in and might not give me an opinion over the phone/email.

carlb

· #10 · 7 mo ago

Komodo1942 said:
Hello all, just shot my brand new Hellcat micro OSP yesterday. Living in CA, this was a massive accomplishment to be able to find one of these not being a cop. It's a lot snappier than I expected but shot great nonetheless and I didn't have any malfunctions. I kept shooting to the left with it but it must have just been me because my shooting partner was able to shoot straight with it no prob. (My excuse to get a red dot for it.) The trigger feels pretty much identical to a Glock 19/Glock 26. The photo below is after 50 rounds of regular Winchester 115gr FMJ target ammo. You are looking at the rear left slide rail. The front left isn't as bad but has some wear on it too. Front right rail also has some wear.

Just curious if this is a normal amount of wear after only 50 rounds (gun was properly lubed). Would appreciate if anyone could post a photo of their rails with their approximate round count.

Thanks!

View attachment 3466

my xds with about 400 rounds through it looks the same on the left side.

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Hellraiser

· #11 · 7 mo ago

Mine has wear on all four rails, the two rear ones look like the ones above with more of the bluing wore off the parts
I have many rounds threw mine & all is 100%
I would have to say it absolutely normal wear IMO
These are the points to apply lubricant = oil or grease sparingly

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joseph.pavelchak

· #12 · 7 mo ago

Komodo1942 said:
Hello all, just shot my brand new Hellcat micro OSP yesterday. Living in CA, this was a massive accomplishment to be able to find one of these not being a cop. It's a lot snappier than I expected but shot great nonetheless and I didn't have any malfunctions. I kept shooting to the left with it but it must have just been me because my shooting partner was able to shoot straight with it no prob. (My excuse to get a red dot for it.) The trigger feels pretty much identical to a Glock 19/Glock 26. The photo below is after 50 rounds of regular Winchester 115gr FMJ target ammo. You are looking at the rear left slide rail. The front left isn't as bad but has some wear on it too. Front right rail also has some wear.

Just curious if this is a normal amount of wear after only 50 rounds (gun was properly lubed). Would appreciate if anyone could post a photo of their rails with their approximate round count.

Thanks!

View attachment 3466

Hello! I have an original Hellcat (non-OSP version), which was purchased new and as yet has never been hot fired (have some medical issues so could not get to range). This Hellcat was dry fired over 300 times and the wear is identical to what you have. Wanted to include my photo but am a newbe to this forum so i don't know how to do it. I also have an order Glock G19.5 which was hot and dry fired hundred of times and i see no such wear anywhere. So, not sure if this is something to worry about or not. What will be the wear after 500 hot fires? Also, i had a major issue with the trigger where if there was any side pressure on the trigger, it was not possible to pull it no matter how much force was exerted. With help from folks on the web, i followed instructions and that issue is now resolved. Many thanks for your post.
Have a great and safe day Sir.

RevV

· #13 · 7 mo ago

Looks excessive to me. I will post pics of mine when I get a chance.

Have you sent that pic to Springfield?

RevV

· #14 · 7 mo ago

Here is a pic of the wear on my Hellcats. The wear is similar to yours, but my round counts are a lot more than 50.

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Having looked at the wear on mine, I am less concerned about yours than I was when I first saw the pic you posted. Yours might just have a nice tight rail to slide fit.

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Pro

· #15 · 6 mo ago

I have that wear pattern on the left rear rail side face, on my Hellcat Pro but I need to ask, do your Hellcats have a spring loaded detent or plunger, right below the right rear rail ? Mine has this and when looking from the rear of the gun, it pushes the slide to the right at the rear only. You can push your slide (when in battery) at the rear to the left, that spring loaded plunger will push the rear of the slide back to the right. Why this model has this feature, I have no idea but I figured that it no less than increases the side face friction (wear mark) of the left rear lug outside face. Any thoughts on this ?

Hellraiser

· #16 · 6 mo ago

2

Pro said:
I have that wear pattern on the left rear rail side face, on my Hellcat Pro but I need to ask, do your Hellcats have a spring loaded detent or plunger, right below the right rear rail ? Mine has this and when looking from the rear of the gun, it pushes the slide to the right at the rear only. You can push your slide (when in battery) at the rear to the left, that spring loaded plunger will push the rear of the slide back to the right. Why this model has this feature, I have no idea but I figured that it no less than increases the side face friction (wear mark) of the left rear lug outside face. Any thoughts on this ?

That spring loaded plunger is the disconnector on the Hellcat #16

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Pro

· #17 · 6 mo ago

Thanks Hellraiser ! I have seen some durability tests so I am to worried... But I wondered what it's purpose was.

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Komodo1942

Discussion Starter · #18 · 6 mo ago

Thank you guys for your responses. I watched a couple hellcat cleaning videos on youtube and everybody's has similar wear. I guess it's normal. And yes, my Hellcat has that plunger as well. I believe all do.

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Hellraiser

· #19 · 6 mo ago

Note where the finish is worn off the unlocking block & sear housing on my Hellcat 👇

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Pro

· #20 · 6 mo ago

That seems to be the common spot...same as mine. I am anal on cleaning and lubrication so...I know it's not lack thereof. That's about all I really know though. I am guessing it's common and stops at a certain point...if not, it will get sent in at some point. I guess I should measure the wear and see if continues to advance or become more extensive...probably will do that and just keep a eye on it. Never actually seen a wear point only on one lug contact point like that and it seems unusual but then, maybe it's inherent to the design ?

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