Slide Freezes Back Periodically

[robhic]

My latest P-64 (1975 arrived yesterday and yes I cleaned it well...) shot fine until the 2nd magazine emptied. Slide locked back, I put in 3rd mag (using PPU Brass HP ammo) and it wouldn't budge! Dropped mag and pulled back as hard as possible. Nope! Took it for guy behind the counter to look at (more experience than me...) thinking maybe my strength ain't what it used to be (it's not) but he couldn't make it budge, either.

Then something strange happened. He grasped the gun like removing a Glock slide and it moved! Oh well...

Went back in, loaded it up and shot some more when it froze again! I tried the Glock-grip and some smacking it on top and sides with my hand. Unstuck! What?! Kept shooting until it froze yet AGAIN and put it aside, shot some through my other gun I had brought and went back to counter-guy to work his magic.

Glock-gripped it - not this time podnuh! Got a flashlight and screwdriver and the slide lock-back lever was seemingly jammed against the breech face. Pried it down, slide free. Took it home and cleaned like a fiend!

I took a fine, small miniature flat file and dressed down the rear edge of the lock-back lever and a tiny peened/rolled edge. I smoothed it all and cleaned, lubed and re-assembled. Anyone ever had this happen? I searched and found a number of "slide locked back" threads but none like this. Ideas? Thanks!

[Curly1]

Possible you fixed let us know what happens at the next range session.

[snailman153624]

I've heard of people having this issue with the recoil spring installed backwards. It is slightly tapered, and backwards can jam between the barrel and the slide.

[robhic]

I've heard of people having this issue with the recoil spring installed backwards. It is slightly tapered, and backwards can jam between the barrel and the slide.

Recoil spring in properly (narrow end to rear but that's good to know - thanks) and you could see the lock-back lever stuck against the breech face. With slide removed (at home) shiny spot and slight wear/peening at bottom corner where the contact was made on breech face. I figured if I took a tiny bit of metal off and thinned/smoothed the lever it might prevent sticking.

Next move is putting in new 18# (stock) recoil spring (this one is 40 yrs. old) and then going to a heavier recoil spring if that doesn't work ... maybe.