5903 Magazine Release Sticky / Sluggish

mikeyk101 · Jan 22, 2013

I am having problems with a 5903 that I own. I bought it brand new in 1990 but it became lost in 2001 (Long story...) It resurfaced a couple years back and I regained possession of it. While it was gone, it was not taken care of. The slide felt very gritty and was hard to even cycle. I took it to a guy that retired from the firearms section of our crime lab to take a look at it. He supposedly took it apart and cleaned it. I think he only field stripped it but it did work a lot better. The slide was smooth again. Today for some reason I decided to check it out. I tried pushing the magazine release to take out the magazine that was in it and it was very hard to push in. It didn't want to fully depress but I finally got the magazine out. The magazine release then didn't want to fully return. I tried pushing it several times and it did seem to start loosening up. I figure that the internals must be gummed up. I wasn't sure how it comes off but thought I would give it a try. (My gunsmithing skills are rather lacking.) I tried to unscrew the button but it wouldn't budge. So I gave up but decided to put a couple drops of lube around the button and on the mechanism on the left side of the frame. I worked the button several times and it seemed to be ok again. But I really want to disassemble the mag release mechanism and fully clean it.

So how do I disassemble the magazine release mechanism?

On another note, the slide lock lever even when it was new has always been very difficult to remove when field stripping. I usually use the corner of the magazine base plate to get it started and then it will come out. I have tried all kinds of lube and it is still the same, difficult to push out. Does anyone have any suggestions to make it easier to push out?

TIA, Mike K

armorer951 · Jan 22, 2013

If you look closely at the magazine button there is a small round plunger that acts as a lock or detent on the back of the button. Use a small punch to push in slightly on the plunger, then, while holding the plunger down you will be able to the back out (unscrew) the button. Be careful not to loose the plunger and spring during removal. To reassemble, insert the mag catch body, then insert spring and plunger. Hold the plunger down while screwing on the button. When the assembly is back together and at rest, the bottom of the release button should be even with or just barely below the frame. (half-turn)

mikeyk101 · Jan 22, 2013

That was very helpful. It still took me a little while to quite figure it out but with your description, I got it. Now I understand about being careful with the plunger. It went airborne on me but I didn't lose sight of it. I was able to clean it up and now it seems to be working fine again. Thanks.

And any thoughts on the tight slide lock lever? It is just as difficult now to remove as it was brand new 23 years ago.

Dann Fassnacht · Jan 22, 2013

mikeyk101 said:
That was very helpful. It still took me a little while to quite figure it out but with your description, I got it. Now I understand about being careful with the plunger. It went airborne on me but I didn't lose sight of it. I was able to clean it up and now it seems to be working fine again. Thanks.

And any thoughts on the tight slide lock lever? It is just as difficult now to remove as it was brand new 23 years ago.

It also would help to take a pipe-cleaner (the fuzzy kind on a wire) and clean-out the "tunnel" that the plunger & spring ride in..."Gunk" can get in there over time and make the spring & plunger drag.

As far as the slide-lock lever goes, be sure that you are "pinching" the slide back "just right" while you are pushing the lever out. Also, take it out and check for burrs, and slightly polish the "long, round part" that goes through the frame.

mikeyk101 · Jan 23, 2013

I will give it a shot. Thanks. I know that the slide is pulled back in the right spot. It is just real hard to push out. I have 3 other Smith semi autos and this is the only one that constantly gives me grief. I will try polishing it up and see how it goes. Thanks again.

5903 Magazine Release Sticky / Sluggish

mikeyk101

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armorer951

mikeyk101

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Dann Fassnacht

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mikeyk101

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