Firing Pin Stop... TIGHT!

[JohnnyFlash]

Hey everyone,

I just got my first pistol, a P18. However, my firing pin stop is so tight that I have to use a light hammer to remove and replace it. Does anyone else have this problem?

My dad's Colt series 70 disassembles completely by hand, so I'm a bit concerned.

Thanks,
-JohnnyFlash

[stans]

Uhhhhh.... you are pushing the firing pin all the way in? The Para's usually have a firing pin safety mechanism that must be activated so the pin can be pushed in far enough to remove the stop.

[JohnnyFlash]

Yes... of course. The problem even exists if the firing pin isn't in the gun.

[John]

Consider yourself lucky, this means that your extractor is not rotating within its tunnel. That's a good thing.

If being too tight bothers you (and indeed, it should not need a hammer to remove it), file it very very gently once on each side. Go easy, it should be a tight fit in there, to keep your extractor motionless.

[robertbank]

My Para P 14 was tight as well . That is a good thing. Personally I would leave well enough alone. For the few times you have to pull the extractor to clean the channel out, be thankful it is tight loose is a pain.

[JCM298]

Both the stops on my Para's are tight and it does take some force, or pressure, to get them to slide out. The tight fit prevents clocking of the exctractor so I just left them alone,

John