3d Gen field-stripping question

[vigil617]

Tell me what I'm doing wrong here.

When field-stripping my two 3d Gen pistols, following the instructions in the manual, I don't seem to have enough hands for (1) pushing the slide back until the round end of the slide stop lines up with the notch, (2) pressing inward on the slide stop pin while pushing the slide back against the pressure of the spring to keep the notch lined up (so the pin won't get in a bind), and (4) removing the slide stop.

My problem is, the slide stop pin is tight enough in its hole that I have to grasp and pull on it, to get it out. I don't have an extra hand to do that, not while pushing against the slide to keep the notch lined up with the pin, with one hand, and grasping the grip with my other hand. I usually end up letting go of the grip, propping it against my gut or thigh, trying to keep the notch lined up while not really being able to see it, and then usually (with a lot of cussin') finally yanking out the slide stop I'm-not-always-sure-how.

This can't be right. Somebody out there knows of which I speak, and can save me a lot of discomfort and the accompanying "blue streaks" when all I'm trying to do is keep my little beauties clean and in perfect working order.

So somebody, do me a solid here, and help a 3rd Gen brother out!

 

[427mach1]

The slide stop pins on 3rd gens have a reputation for being tight. Get a small wood or plastic dowel to push on the pin from the right hand side to get it started. Then pull from the left side.

 

[CALREB]

Make sure gun is empty/no mag in gun/again assure mag out/chamber is empty.
Place decocker in down position. Place gun in right hand, thumb under tang, reach over top of slide with index , middle, ring finger of right hand and squeeze slide back , against thumb,use the decocker and rear sight for leverage use left hand to help if you need to. To get slide notch over slidestop.
Once you have slide in proper position, using both hand. Lock grip of your right hand( must be held in one spot not pushing against) and use left hand to reach under frame and push slidestop out,
you may need to tap it with a wooden handle or screwdriver handle.
Once its started out,then pull it out with your left hand. Sometimes it requires a bit of grip , specially on the 4506 .
You could lock the slide in a padded vice and then push foreward on the gripframe to get it in the right position and then pop it out.
I find that as I get older, sometimes my grip isnt what it used to be, and turning to a vise for aid holding things, is a nice alternative.
Good luck, Bob

 

[opaul]

There are some great you tube videos on how to do this. Take the time and watch one, and I think you will agree a picture is (sometimes) worth a thousand words. Good luck.

 

[t-bird]

I am right handed. What I do is pick the gun up with my left hand by placing the back of my thumb on the trigger and fingers over top of the slide. Then pull the slide back with right hand and and use left hand to hold gun while you push or pull the slidestop with right hand. Once you learn to hold the gun open with one hand you will be able to get the slidestop in or out easier. Best of luck and hopes this helps.

 

[Timmy2]

+1 with t-bird. When I first started dealing with Gen 3's I felt like a total idiot.... thinking "{it can't be this difficult"!! Putting your left thumb in the trigger guard and holding the slide in position with your left hand over the top is the easy way to go.....as long as your hands are dry and the slide not to slick. The slide has to be held in the "just right" position and the slide stop comes out easily.

 

[vigil617]

Thanks much, you guys. You rock!

Hope this will also help any of the rest of the Forumites who might be having this same problem.

Good shooting to all!

 

[w9kcj]

Field stripping

I just picked this up yesterday and found the same problem. You can grip the gun like i have in the picture with your right hand. You can move the slide back and forth while pushing the pin with your left hand. I was supprised that the pin was so tight.Just remember never to force anything.
Norm

 

[firescout]

Make sure gun is empty/no mag in gun/again assure mag out/chamber is empty.
Place decocker in down position. Place gun in right hand, thumb under tang, reach over top of slide with index , middle, ring finger of right hand and squeeze slide back , against thumb,use the decocker and rear sight for leverage use left hand to help if you need to. To get slide notch over slidestop.
Once you have slide in proper position, using both hand. Lock grip of your right hand( must be held in one spot not pushing against) and use left hand to reach under frame and push slidestop out...

That's how I do it. With my action polishing job, I included polishing the slide stop shaft. Makes for easier field stripping.

 

[Chip682]

I like w9kcj's method. Feels tight in your hand so your other hand is free for the pin....thanks man

 

[timn8er]

Here's what works for me. I grasp the pistol as shown in the pic & use both hands to line up the slide stop assembly with the notch in the slide. Then I press on the end of the slide stop assembly on the right side of the slide. If its being especially stubborn, I have a small flat blade screwdriver that I've dipped in teflon(to prevent marring)& I'll insert it between the frame & the slide stop & GENTLY pry it out. This is the about the only way I can do it because of the lack of strength in my hands. Hopefully this will help!

 

[shawn mccarver]

I put the slide in the correct spot and hold it there with one hand by using an over the slide grasp. I am right handed. I wrap the fingers of my left hand around the back of the grip just under the beavertail, placing the palm of my hand against the right side of the pistol, allowing the web of my left hand to lay across the top of the slide with the thumb in front of the rear sight to hold the slide in its correct place while I use my right hand to push out the slide stop. If the slide stop is too tight when the pistol is new, I use my right hand to grasp a plastic mallet and give one little tap on the protruding side of the slide stop pin, lay the mallet down and use the right hand to pull out the pin. I lay the pin down and then use the right hand to assist in easing the slide off the frame.

 

[BruceB]

I guess I have a different method that I learned back with my first M39. With the left hand over the top of the slide, the sights in the web between thumb and forefinger, and the fingers wrapped around behind the grip under the tang, just doing a squeezing motion moves the slide easily. Then the right hand is free to push the slide stop to get it started, then wiggle it loose and remove making very sure not to leave that idiot mark on the frame !

This works on every 3rd gen I have, large and small. I don't have huge hands, but the gripping/squeezing motion to open the slide is naturally a strong action.

 

[D Rock]

I grasp loosely with web of hand on beaver tail, index finger in front of rear sight, then tighten grip and slide will naturally open.


My stops come out easily but if yours don't turn your hand over and use something soft to push on the stop. You don't want marks.


Becomes second nature after a while.

Dave

 

[Ross3914]

I do it slightly different.

I hook my left thumb in the front of the trigger guard (tumbprint towards the front), and pull the slide back to the notch with my right hand, and wrap my left hand around the front of the slide. Then you push out the pin.

If it's hard to push out the pin, you can use the base of the magazine, or whatever. I use the mag base if I have to as it's plastic and won't mar things up any.

It's very easy to hold the slide back this way because you're using the trigger guard as an anchor for your left hand.

 

[tom-tom]

I find the CS9 to be especially harder to strip than larger versions. I use the overhand grip with my right hand; the slide stop is really tight. A few times I've almost lost my ring finger when the pistol slips out of my grip. That's one strong recoil spring!

 

[Gunhacker]

I use the exact same method that Ross3914 mentions and it really works well for me... the resistance felt when pushing out the slide stop pin/lever is the spring loaded plunger on the rear of the recoil spring guide rod engaged on the notch in the pin. I use 800 grit sandpaper to lightly (and I do mean lightly) break the sharp edge/shoulder on the notch edge, like what you would do on a barrel feed ramp to improve feeding, it helps matters greatly on guns with obstinate pins.