Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > General Topics > Firearms & Knives: Other Brands & General Gun Topics
o

Notices

Firearms & Knives: Other Brands & General Gun Topics Post Your General Gun Topics and Non-S&W Gun and Blade Topics Here


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-14-2017, 02:12 PM
italiansport italiansport is offline
Member
Beretta 1915 need help Beretta 1915 need help Beretta 1915 need help Beretta 1915 need help Beretta 1915 need help  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Arizona
Posts: 3,222
Likes: 2,905
Liked 5,333 Times in 1,869 Posts
Default Beretta 1915 need help

I recently acquired this Beretta 1915. It operates (cocks and fires) but was missing the magazine catch and associated parts which i acquired from GPC. I have tried multiple time to install these parts in the pistol without success. I can't even find a good you tube video assembly/disassembly of this pistol. Any help in getting these parts installed will be appreciated.
Jim
N.B: I can get the mag release pinned in ok but the spring installation is a mystery to me.


Last edited by italiansport; 03-14-2017 at 02:15 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-14-2017, 02:48 PM
rog8732 rog8732 is offline
US Veteran
Beretta 1915 need help Beretta 1915 need help Beretta 1915 need help Beretta 1915 need help Beretta 1915 need help  
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Southern Virginia
Posts: 1,961
Likes: 9,647
Liked 2,427 Times in 1,028 Posts
Default

I would be surprised if you couldn't still get an owners manual from Berreta, even though I believe this, (1915) to be their first semi-auto. Maybe a mag too.
__________________
wanna do right-- not right now
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-14-2017, 03:22 PM
italiansport italiansport is offline
Member
Beretta 1915 need help Beretta 1915 need help Beretta 1915 need help Beretta 1915 need help Beretta 1915 need help  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Arizona
Posts: 3,222
Likes: 2,905
Liked 5,333 Times in 1,869 Posts
Default

An owners manual probably won't cover disassembly to this level. I have a mag on the way.
Jim
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-14-2017, 08:57 PM
2152hq 2152hq is offline
Member
Beretta 1915 need help  
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 7,712
Likes: 1,631
Liked 9,066 Times in 3,352 Posts
Default

The latch in the pic is facing the opposite direction it needs to be for correct operation. Just flip it over so the 'short foot' is facing towards the front of the gun. Thats the portion that latches the mag.

The spring,,flip it upside-down from what it is in the pic,,loop to the top ,,short leg to the front, long leg to the rear.
The larger dia pin will go through the pivot hole in the top of the latch and also the loop in the spring,,the spring inbetween the legs of the latch of course.
The smaller dia pin goes through the lower hole and the larger dia hole in the latch. That allows some limited pivot movement to the latch when removing/inserting the magazine.

The long leg of the spring will bear against the inside rear wall of the backstrap.
The short leg of the spring will push against the latch itself just below where the lower pin is centered.
That gives the latch forward spring tension.

It's difficult to insert the latch and the small spring up into the frame as separate pieces, compressing the spring as you do so and then trying to insert that upper pin.

The easier way is to make a small 'slave pin' for the upper latch hole.
Make out of a nail or piece of wire, ect. You want a close fit, but a simple slip fit,,nothing you need a hammer and punch to put together.Plus the pin should be no longer than the width of the latch. Slightly chamfered ends really help too during assembly.

Holding the latch in hand, place the spring into position correctly (shorter leg against the latch),,then push the slave pin thru the upper hole securing the spring to the latch.
If the loop in the spring is a bit tight, it may take a little help from a hammer and punch to push into position. Don't grind the spring loop bigger.

Now take that assembly with the slave pin in place and flush with the sides of the latch and place it up in to the frame . As you do the longer leg will start to compress as it enters the frame. Ease it into place and try to position it so you can see the end of the slave pin through the frame hole where the pivot pin will go. If you can see all or most of the pin, a pointed slender punch or even a jewelers screwdriver can often be used to push straight through,,knocking the slave pin out and securing the latch and pin into place.
Now take the factory pin and back the punch down in a bit but not all the way so as not to loose the assembly all together and start the pin into place.
Hold some resistance on that punch while driving the pin into place.
Don't work the latch at this point at least the full swing available to it as it may over bend that new spring and break it.

Place the smaller dia, lower pin in place first. That will limit the latch travel. It should now have both enough power and travel to perform it's job.

Take that small slave pin you loving made by hand, label it and put it away in the specialty tools drawer for the next '15 Beretta that walks in the door w/a bad mag latch.
Then sit back and wait for the Brown Truck of Wondefullness to bring you the magazine.

Last edited by 2152hq; 03-14-2017 at 09:01 PM.
Reply With Quote
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
  #5  
Old 03-15-2017, 10:25 AM
italiansport italiansport is offline
Member
Beretta 1915 need help Beretta 1915 need help Beretta 1915 need help Beretta 1915 need help Beretta 1915 need help  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Arizona
Posts: 3,222
Likes: 2,905
Liked 5,333 Times in 1,869 Posts
Default

215ehq:
Thanks you for your detailed description of reassembly. When I posted the above picture I just wanted to show the parts and wasn't paying particular attention to their orientation.
I will attempt to reassemble today and let you know the results.
Jim
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 03-15-2017, 10:54 AM
2152hq 2152hq is offline
Member
Beretta 1915 need help  
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 7,712
Likes: 1,631
Liked 9,066 Times in 3,352 Posts
Default

I figured the orientation of the parts in the pic didn't have anything to do with how you thought they went together, It was just a way of me explaining with my words and using your picture to tell how things went together.
Let us know how it goes.
Neat little pocket pistols that are generally over looked these days,

I found this PDF this AM too,,got to looking in my assembly and disassembly books for anything on the 1915 or similar. Couldn't find a thing. Then found this print out of an orig Beretta Manual on line. Thought it might be interesting, I don't speak a letter of Italian but it's helpful in the parts breakdown and cut-away drawing.
http://www.berettaweb.com/Munuals/Beretta%201915.PDF

Last edited by 2152hq; 03-15-2017 at 10:58 AM.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #7  
Old 03-15-2017, 02:55 PM
italiansport italiansport is offline
Member
Beretta 1915 need help Beretta 1915 need help Beretta 1915 need help Beretta 1915 need help Beretta 1915 need help  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Arizona
Posts: 3,222
Likes: 2,905
Liked 5,333 Times in 1,869 Posts
Default

After struggling for about 1 hour trying to get the spring onto the mag release so I can slip it into the pistol I thought I'd come back for more information. I appreciate the help so far and I'd really like to get this back together.
Jim
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 03-16-2017, 06:26 PM
2152hq 2152hq is offline
Member
Beretta 1915 need help  
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 7,712
Likes: 1,631
Liked 9,066 Times in 3,352 Posts
Default

Email sent Jim...
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 03-17-2017, 11:07 AM
italiansport italiansport is offline
Member
Beretta 1915 need help Beretta 1915 need help Beretta 1915 need help Beretta 1915 need help Beretta 1915 need help  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Arizona
Posts: 3,222
Likes: 2,905
Liked 5,333 Times in 1,869 Posts
Default

I sent you an email back with pictures.
Jim
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 03-20-2017, 02:25 PM
italiansport italiansport is offline
Member
Beretta 1915 need help Beretta 1915 need help Beretta 1915 need help Beretta 1915 need help Beretta 1915 need help  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Arizona
Posts: 3,222
Likes: 2,905
Liked 5,333 Times in 1,869 Posts
Default

Jim:
I am trying to verify that your zip code is 14626? I also sent you an email.
Jim
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
1915 M&P features BibleronKJV S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 6 01-27-2017 11:10 PM
1915 P08 Parabellum sailor723 Firearms & Knives: Other Brands & General Gun Topics 12 09-20-2015 07:53 PM
Hammer for 1915 .22?? Redcoat3340 S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 3 10-02-2014 01:22 PM
1915 Second Model Commercial .455 tompehret S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 7 07-31-2014 12:06 AM
1915 38HAMMERLESS MIKEY58ALLEN S&W Antiques 1 02-19-2013 11:05 AM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:24 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)