Problem with shooting and also reassembling P64

[mediccody]

Hey guys. I just recently had my first issue with my P64. It has about 400 rounds through it, but I never did the appropriate hot water and soap cleaning procedure for surplus firearms when I purchased it. It does have a full set of Wolff springs, and it has been lubricated with CLP since I first started shooting it.

However, last time that I went to the range, the trigger would pull all the way without letting the hammer fall. This was ONLY when a round was in the chamber, it was impossible to replicate when a round was not loaded. I sprayed some lubricant on the firing pin and ejector, and the gun functioned as normal after doing so.

My second problem is that I now cannot reassemble my P64. I took apart the pistol and decided to douse it in soapy hot water to get rid of any old lubricant, carbon, etc. I lubricated all the moving parts as recommended, and now the slide will not go back onto the frame properly. Even when I pull the slide all the way to the rear, it will not seat on the slide rails. When I try to reassemble the gun without the mainspring, and look at where I am having resistance, it almost seems as if the slide cannot be pulled back far enough to clear the frame rails.

If anyone could give me any advice on what is causing these two problems, I would greatly appreciate it.

[juniustaylor]

Mediccody, you need to finish the ends of your recoil spring. Put the spring on sand paper, standing up. Then rub it on the paper until the end of the spring is flat. Now turn the spring over and do it to the other side. The spring is a bit long since the wire is thicker. I'm assuming you got an extra power recoil spring. Last thing is, are you pulling the trigger guard down when you're pulling the slide to the rear. I'm only suggesting because it's easy to forget important steps.

[juniustaylor]

Go here:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3447

Then go half-way down. JB posted some pictures of his procedure.

If you need any assembly videos, I made a few. Here is the link to watch them.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4200

[badgerjfr]

for re-assembly... might sound stupid, but it happened to me. one of those "duh" moments. make sure your hammer is pulled back. mine wont re-assemble unless the hammer is pulled back when you go to put the slide on. i had the feeling of "oh crap what did i do?" when i tried to re-assemble the gun with the hammer up. also, while cleaning once, the trigger pin worked itself out a little, and the slide wouldn't sit correctly. make sure that its all the way in. as for the trigger pull problem, if you figure out what caused the issue, let us know. good luck.

[juniustaylor]

Good points Badger!

[Cooper]

My "duh" moments are when the trigger guard goes back into place while re-assembling, keeping the slide from going into place. So, whenever the slide won't go in, I check to make sure the trigger guard is out of its slot.

[PA-Joe]

I don't have mine with me to confirm but check the slide and slide rails for a small pin. If the pin is not pushed in all of the way the slide will not go down all of the way.

[mediccody]

Thanks for the quick responses, guys! I totally forgot to pull the trigger guard down again. First time that I've forgotten to do that. Oops!

[TBMA2012]

i have had that issue many times myself haha

[badgerjfr]

Glad everything worked out.

[juniustaylor]

Glad it was an easy fix. Good to hear that you've got it back together!

For your problem of it not wanting to fire, I wonder if your disconnector is somehow hanging up and leaving the trigger bar pressed down. If you could take the grips off the next time this happens and see what's going on. If you had some dummy rounds, or keep some of your fired cases and you could experiment with it at home.

[Curly1]

What I do is place a thin piece of wood between the trigger and frame that way it stays open and I don't mark up the frame.

[juniustaylor]

Mediccody, I have an idea what could be causing you some problems with your trigger not working right. You said you have shot around 400 rounds through it before this time.

Was this batch from the same manufacturer or were they different?

Only reason I ask is because when the trigger is pulled, the disconnector must be able to lift up. Either your disconnector has a bit too much meat on the sloped edge, some metal on the slide is a bit generous in one spot, or the rounds that you were firing may have been just a hair longer in the case length. I sent you a PM with my email address. Hopefully you'll send me an email so I can get your email address and I'll try to take some pictures and video to show you what I'm talking about. From there you can decide the best way to go about fixing it.

I'm not sure about the lube "fixing" the problem. I think it may have been coincidence or the lube was having an effect on some part that is in the chain of items I think it is in. The ejector and firing pin have nothing in common with causing the trigger bar to not cause the sear to move.