LaserMax LMS-3XD for Springfield XD 40 Subcompact

[JCJC]

I recently purchased and installed a LaserMax LMS-3XD guide-rod laser for my Springfield XD 40 Subcompact. Super-easy to install, super-light, super-simple, perfectly accurate, excellent in low-light conditions -- love it.

However, the ON/OFF switch is a pin that can be pushed in (from the left or right -- doesn't matter) and is part of the takedown lever, but it is almost IMPOSSIBLE to push the pin in far enough to keep the laser on.  I can push it in a bit with an index finger, but it doesn't go in far enough, so after each round is fired, the pin "bounces" back to the OFF (middle) position.

To get it to come on and STAY on, I really have to get in the little recessed cavity where the pin is with a fingernail or something, which is CERTAINLY not ideal. I need to be able to turn that laser on quickly and easily as soon as I draw from a holster. And this does NOT have to do with the size of my finger -- I'm 5'9" and 154 pounds; not a BIG guy with BIG fingers. All their advertising says how easy it is to push this pin in to get it to turn ON and OFF (it IS easy to turn OFF, but VERY difficult to turn ON to the point where it will stay on).

I've contacted LaserMax and they assured me that NOBODY else has ever reported a problem turning on the laser (whatever). Has anyone HERE ever had this issue? If so, have you figured out a way to "fix" it???  It's almost like if the pin were a "little bit" longer, it wouldn't be an issue (but LaserMax says there is no longer pin).  Any ideas for me?

[tombogan03884]

Gun tests evaluated them a few months ago, LaserMax guide rod Vs Crimson Trace, and the rear sight mounted laser
IIRC Laser max placed last because of the difficulty of using the switch.

[JCJC]

Well that's not good. I like how LaserMax claimed they've never heard of this issue. Anyone come up with a solution?

[tombogan03884]

Trim one thumb nail to fit.
"Gun Tests" favored the rear sight laser as the switch is right under the aperture at the rear of the gun.

[MaxXam]

The LaserMax spring guide laser should very easy to turn on. The laser was designed for cops to activate as they draw it from a holster with a ready to fire action. If it is difficult, it may mean your trying to activate the laser with the "hammer dropped" uncocked condition. Read the manual. This is why, I think, customer service had not seen the problem before. If you think you still have a problem, call 1-800-LASER-03 and ask for Bob or James.

There are about 200,000 of these LaserMax spring guides in use.

[Sponsor]

[JCJC]

MaxXam,

Uh, yeah, I KNOW it should be easy to turn on. It's not. That's why I'm asking the question here.

No, I'm not trying to activate the laser with the "hammer dropped uncocked condition". It makes no difference, actually, whether it is cocked or not cocked.

Uh, I HAVE read the manual. It ALSO says it should be easy to turn on. But it's not easy. At all. (Even though all their marketing says it's easy, too.)

I'll call Bob or James per your suggestion, and I'll let everyone here know what they say. (I'm sure they'll say exactly what LaserMax customer service told me LAST time I called, which was that "it should be very easy to turn the laser on" and that they've "never heard of this issue before", but I'll ask them again.)

[JCJC]

Well, I called Bob at LaserMax and explained the issue (EXTREMELY difficult to push the On/Off switch in to the full "ON" position), and he said the problem could be with the "battery compartment spring" (too stiff: pushing to hard, requiring too much pressure to push the on/off switch in), or with the takedown lever itself. He gave me an RMA # and I'm going to return it so he can check it out, fix it, or replace it. I'll let everyone here knows what the outcome is.

Just FYI, I disassembled and reassembled, removed and replaced the batteries, checked spring tensions manually, cycled the slide, etc. about 100 more times, to see if it ever improved...making sure everything was aligned and seated properly each time, but no difference, ever.

So, hopefully it will be a simple fix. We'll see.

PS: Bob said he has seen this issue before, a few times.

[Solus]

Well, I called Bob at LaserMax and explained the issue (EXTREMELY difficult to push the On/Off switch in to the full "ON" position), and he said the problem could be with the "battery compartment spring" (too stiff: pushing to hard, requiring too much pressure to push the on/off switch in), or with the takedown lever itself. He gave me an RMA # and I'm going to return it so he can check it out, fix it, or replace it. I'll let everyone here knows what the outcome is.

Just FYI, I disassembled and reassembled, removed and replaced the batteries, checked spring tensions manually, cycled the slide, etc. about 100 more times, to see if it ever improved...making sure everything was aligned and seated properly each time, but no difference, ever.

So, hopefully it will be a simple fix. We'll see.

PS: Bob said he has seen this issue before, a few times.

I guess it could be possible for the spring to have an extra coil on it or something.

Well, we will see. 

I don't think we can expect every item sent out the door to be perfect, but we can expect the Customer Service to be.