When a person puts the slide back onto the
frame of a pistol without having the driving spring captured on a Type II takedown system, the slide stop will get caught in
front of the retracting rod end and hung up in the coils of the driving spring. This results in the slide not moving normally, and not closing the slide fully.
The way to fix this is to use a length of coat hanger wire that has
a slight bend on the last 3/4 inch of the end (about 15 degrees) as a tool to compress the retracting rod and spring. I used a pin collet handle to hold the wire.
Pull the slide
back and hold the breech face open about 0.9 inch from the barrel with a block so that the tool
can be inserted into the small opening on the bottom of the left side of
the slide between the hammer and frame. I used a wooden splint (about 4"X1/2"X1/8") inserted into the magazine well with the top sticking out to block the slide open. The tool should be inserted with the outside of the curve towards the top of the slide. Insert the tool so that the end of the
wire hits against the back of the retracting rod. Push the retracting rod towards the
barrel about an inch or so. You should feel the spring resistance. Pushing the rod forward should
cause the stop lug to be released from the coils. You should be able to see the takedown lever move down a little. Then you should be able to easily push down on the takedown lever to get the stop lug all the way down. You can remove the tool at this point. Then you can pull the slide off of the frame. After removing the slide, use a punch or other tool to push the retracting rod and spring forward so that the pickup spring button can be pressed, allowing the pickup spring to capture the retracting rod. When this is done, the slide can be reassembled to the frame in the normal manner. Of course, check the driving spring for damage and replace it if necessary.
The above process should work if the slide has not been forced back and forth a lot in attempts to get the slide removed. If it does not work, it indicates the driving spring has been stretched and deformed to a point that the spring will not go all the way into the hole in the rear of the slide, and the retracting rod cannot be pushed far enough into the hole in the slide to release the stop lug from the spring coils and allow it to tip forward. You can use the tool to push the stop lug forward to try to get it untangled from the spring coils. Push down on the takedown lever while doing this until it goes all the way down, and hold it down while pulling the slide off. Don't use too much force in pushing the lever down to prevent damage to the lever parts. If that does not work, you can attempt to remove the spring by using a tool with a hook on the end to catch a coil of the spring and pull it out. This will take a lot of effort to fish out the spring or pieces of spring, but can work. These methods will take time and patience. Once apart, the driving spring can be replaced with a new one, and the gun reassembled properly. Careful work will allow the gun to be repaired without damaging the frame, slide, or other components aside from the driving spring.
Note: Clicking on the photos will allow them to be viewed in larger size.
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| Retracting Rod Captured Properly. |
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Retracting Rod Not Captured. Note the position of the
takedown lever with the stop lug fully up. |
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| Tool used to press retracting rod forward in slide. |
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| This is how the tool should be used. |
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| The rod can be moved forward to allow the stop lug to be released. |
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| This is where the tool is inserted into the slide. |
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Wood splint used to block the slide open about 0.9 inch. Note the position of the
takedown lever with the stop lug below the retracting rod. |
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Tool inserted into opening in bottom of slide and pushing rod forward.
Note the position of the takedown lever when the stop lug is fully down. |
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| Push the takedown lever fully down and remove the tool. |
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| Pull the slide off of the frame while holding down the takedown lever. |
Great information. Thanks. Its fun to find a type II takedown which has had the retracting rod released. The overwhelming majority of pistols I've found in this condition has the owner more than perplexed. I can't tell you how many times I've asked if I could break down a type II and the owner look at me as if I was crazy. One of the well known gunsmiths around here swears all you can do is damage the pistol getting the slide off. I just smile and keep my mouth shut. Thanks again for the information and especially the images. Jack
ReplyDeleteHello, Thanks for the information above.
ReplyDeleteI have the same model pistol as the model shown above & received it in the same locked up condition with the guide rod and spring extended in the wrong position. My predicament however has the compounded dilemma that someone removed the takedown lever from the side of the frame. The result being it can't be inserted back into the frame fully as it appears to be inhibited by the safety lever. So before I attempt any surgery I'm wondering how to proceed from here without doing more harm. I'd be very grateful for any help I can get. The pistol seems in pretty good shape otherwise but is currently an ornament.
Hello. I have an H-D military I received in the condition addressed above with the added problem that the Takedown lever has been improperly removed there for the slide block it actuates can't be moved. any help would be much appreciated.
ReplyDeletesorry I re-posted my question. I wasn't aware my initial post actually went through.
ReplyDeleteWayne, I am very appreciative of your time and effort to provide this explanation with pictures. I bought an H-D from an online auction site several years back and sure enough some bonehead incorrectly assembled it and apparently just decided to sell it off without mentioning their screw-up. Recently I found your post.
ReplyDeleteIt took me a few try's but I finally got the slide off using your instructions. However, when trying to push the retracting rod back into place it did not want to go in nicely. The spring is slightly deformed and did not want to compress cleanly. Seemed to be binding too.
Would you be able to describe how to properly remove and replace the damaged spring? Thank you.
Just wanted to update this post - After reading/watching a few online posts, it was actually very straight forward to tap out the retaining pin, remove the plug, then replace the damaged spring with a new one. Putting everything back in place requires some patience, but nothing too difficult. As always use caution and safeguards when working with small parts under spring pressure.
DeleteGlad I found this post explains a lot! I have a gun purchased online that wouldnt go into battery and it appears that the previous owner removed the recoil spring and plunger and guide rod....now that Im stuck with it I ordered parts from Interarms and the guide rod appears to fit ads well as the plug, however the spring they sent appears to be the same length as my model 106 and 107s and is impossible to install, the firing pin spring is too small on the ID as well. Hoping someone could possible tell me the length of their HD Military spring and plunger. My plunder is suspect as well. Greatly appreciate any info and will be joining this club!
ReplyDeleteJoining too. I've several High Standards... my bench to work needs to be soon. I so value this knowledge and I wish to work, collect, absorb, and pass on. I'm of the following generation of these masters who share. I need to learn and pass down as these masters .
ReplyDelete