a spring in my ...

[K.L.]

to the forum;
i recently bought a para p14 45 and did some research and with para's help found that it's born on date is 11-93. AND APPARRENTLY IT'S NEVER BEEN CLEANED SINCE!
i completely disassembled it and found ( besides muck guck and filth) that the recoil spring is slightly bent, the firing pin spring was stuck to the pin and had to be twisted off and all the rest were just ... dirty beyond belief.
as soon as i can i'll post pix of the teardown so be warned, its like rotten.com for gun guys

so my question is should i just by a new spring kit or are these still serviceable? also can i use something a little more h.d. than gun solvent for cleaning? thanks for any insight. (i hope this is the right forum.)

[Joni Lynn]

Welcome to the forum.
I think a fresh set of springs would be a good start.
Any decent gun cleaning solvent should fine for cleaning it up.

[JBaker]

I think the firing pin spring should be tight on the firing pin. One end of the spring is smaller in diameter this should go on to the firing pin. I think.

[Rich-D]

+1 on Joni Lynn's post! I would replace all springs with Wolfe Springs!

Best of Luck!
Rich

[brownie]

Anytime I get a used gun I change all the springs (in addition to detail stripping and cleaning it). It's cheap insurance against malfunctions and if something doesn't work right, then you know it's not the springs.

[Hawkmoon]

A new set of springs would be inexpensive insurance against the "bubba factor." If the gun is a mess, you don't even know if the springs are original or correct.

Try automotive brake cleaner, from an Auto Zone, Advance/Checkers/Shucks Auto, or Pep Boys.

[K.L.]

thanks everyone! the brake cleaner is nice to hear about. i have a bunch of that. was worried i was going to use all my hoppe's on the extractor alone! (and it's a new, full bottle) ;)