I am going to refinish an old, pitted 52-2 I found on the cheap. I've stripped it and prepped it to send to the refinisher. The only thing I can't figure out is how to get the spring pin out of the slide that holds the barrel nut in place. I don't see any pins holding it an don't want to destroy anything. Does any one have the answer to this question?

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We have a semi-active poster here named “donk52” and he was a Model 52 and 645 builder (and probably many others.)

Try to see if you can send him a note or e-mail contact if that is an option on his profile.

As well as I can determine, the spring and plunger are held in the slide by a circular staking around the hole, similar to the mag cap detent on a shotgun barrel. The plunger can probably be removed by making a tapered punch to “iron” the staked metal out and release the plunger. Can be reassembled by staking with a very sharp center punch.
As already said, donk can probably shed more light on the process.

The barrel bushing pin is peened and not really meant to be removed. The best way to remove it would be to try to remove some of the metal that is peened over and get a grip on it and pull it out leaving the hole a little tight for the pin when inserted back in and re peened. Watch for The spring behind it. Let me know how you make out.

Might be a stupid question but I'll ask anyway. Can you leave the bushing pin in place and have it refinished? This may add some difficulty to the refinish job, but taking it out and re-staking it back in place may be more problematic.

Rick H.

Advice: call Clark Pistolsmiths.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

The slide can be blued with the plunger assembled but after the trip through the blue and rinse tanks, special care needs to be taken to flush and rinse the plunger, pumping it repeatedly to be sure all of the salts are gone then flush well with WD-40 to displace the water then penetrating oil to get rid of the WD-40. Yes, I used to run my own bluing tanks.

Kp321 has a sound alternative. If the re-fin guy will work with you.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member