Slide jams

[rjm713]

Hello all,
On the home stretch of my current project and have come to problem I haven't been able to find an answer to so I've come to the fountain of wisdom for help.
When I install the slide to the frame all works as it should until I rotate the slide stop to the rear and snap it in place. At that point the slide is jammed tight. It does not matter if the bushing is installed or not it is locked solid with just the barrel. It seems to me the problem might be the barrel legs but where do I need to work to get past this problem.
Everything else is good to go so if I can resolve this I can get to the range this weekend.
Thanks in advance for all the help I know is coming. Ralph

[pa_guns]

Hi

"As you rotate it to the rear"...

Is your slide stop bent?

The lower barrel lugs ride on the slide stop. Barrel fit is likely an issue. Don't start chopping anything until you know how the barrel is positioned in the slide and how much engagement you have on the upper lugs.

Bob

[niemi24s]

Does everything work OK with just the frame, slide and slide stop (no barrel or bushing)?

If not, as Pa Guns suggested, your slide stop may be bent - to where its aft end does not go all the way into the frame.

[rjm713]

Hi,
Yes everything works fine without the barrel and bushing. The slide stop is not bent. All works well with the slide stop hanging straight down-- it only locks up when the slide stop is rotated toward the hammer and pushed in. Ralph

[John]

Clarification time:

If you install the assembled slide (barrel, bushing and all) on your frame, and put the slide stop through its hole, but not in its proper position (i.e. the slide stop hanging down) everything works OK. If you put the slide stop in its normal position then the slide can't move. Am I correct?

How sure are you that the slide stop is all the way in? Remove the slide stop plunger from the frame (after you remove the thumb safety plunger and the plungers spring) and put the slide stop in again, but with no slide on the frame. Does it go all the way in? Now put the slide on the frame and do the same. Does the slide move?

Waiting.

[rjm713]

Hello John,
Yes you understand the problem completely. The slide stop is installing flush with the frame and there is no difference without the plunger installed.
I was trying to see what the problem could be again last night and it seems there is a bind with the link at the barrel with the stop in its normal position.
Do you think this could be my problem? Ralph

[John]

Well, take the barrel off the pistol and pass the shaft of the slide stop in the link. Then move it forward and rearward. The link should move across its path until it is stopped against the barrel feet at the rear. Pay special attention at the curve of the barrel legs, make sure that the link can pass from there, without getting tight. A picture of the slide stop passed inside the link, at the corner and at the full rear position (against the barrel's legs) will help.

Somehow, I do not think this is your problem, because if it was, then the slide won't be able to move with the slide stop hanging down. When you put the empty slide on the pistol and you put the slide stop in its proper position, can the slide move backwards?

[Iron bottom]

Sounds like the lugs need a little work. Since the slide stop is rotated up it is binding and trying to climb (roll over) a high spot on the lugs. I would find exactly where it may be stopping and relieve that area some. Or see if some grease may free it up.

[log man]

rjm713, OKAY, this is a good one! Use the parts elimination method. First assemble frame and slide and slide stop only(no barrel et al) and see if you can put the slide stop in it's proper position and move the slide back and forth easily by hand.If not, why not! Maybe the frame cut out won't let the SS go down far enough to clear the bottom of slide or maybe the SS is out of spec. From your description this is about the only option as the pin doesn't change anything with the relationship of the barrel lugs or link whether it's hanging down or rotated into its' installed position, except causing an interference between the frame and the slide. How about it? :o

[rjm713]

Hello John and logman,

You guys are aces. When I installed the slide without the barrel and it still jammed a close inspection showed the stop jamming the slide.
A little judicious filing on the slide stop and problem cured. Assembly completed and function test and safety checks good so to the range on Saturday for firing test. Thanks to all for solving this problem for me. Ralph

[pa_guns]

Hi

Instead of putting in the slide stop, try putting a pin punch or drill rod in instead. You can step the size of the rod down a bit if you have to. My guess is you will either find it works fine right up to the correct diameter or that there is a diameter that keeps it from working. Either way you are headed to a solution.

.....

Sounds like the problem is fixed ....



Bob

[log man]

rjm713, Glad to hear you had an AH-HA experience. :appld: Something about not seeing the forest for the trees thing.Good shooting! :D

[John]

Another happy customer. :p

Glad when we can help.