I wasnt gonna comment on this caz i dint wanna cause controversy, but on the other hand, wanna get best info out there to peeps who need help.
The metal spur on the XL & X ss is an 'upgrade' for many reasons. Truggies also use a metal spur on the center diff without a slipper clutch w/o issue.
Stay with the plastic 25 spur. MEtal spurs can cause damage if you don't know how to properly mesh them.
If you 'don't know how to mesh' & run a composite spur gear, the spur will melt from excessive heat or strip the teeth off from mis-alignment. A metal spur gear is more forgiving to both of these conditions.
Think of it this way, if the spur doesn't go, something else will. Probably something more expensive too.
Slipper clutch makes this virtually impossible. Unless you eliminate it.
If there is a problem on the spur gear, the damage will transfer down and probably hurt something more costly to replace. It's gonna be a killer to replace too. I like to keep my spur gear the weakest point in my transmission. It's cheap and easy to replace. I make sure the mesh is good every run and I haven't gone through one yet since my rebuild.
damage cant "transfer down" beyond your slipper clutch in either direction unless you eliminate the slipper. The most damage you will prolly do is toast your slipper pad which is $4 usd for 2 pads.
A bud of mine (who you all know well) broke his mill plate in 3 places while running a metal spur & dint damage his spur or anything else. a composite wouldve been toast.
so again, please don't take offense to this posting, I'm sure the r/c companies did a lot of r & d before they designed an upgrade that would caz damage and make their phones ring with angry customers.
running a composite or Metal spur gear is a matter of Preference as is most things in this hobby; Adjust your slipper correctly, use a racing/vented clutchbell and you will love a metal spur!