41 slide frozen shut, doesn't budge

[wetdog1911]

Well, that was the first issue. Following suggestions of a couple weeks soak in mineral spirits I finally got the slide unstuck and locked back.

Now, the problem is, the trigger guard won't budge. I've stood it upside down and put a few drops of Kroil (with a needle applicator), both at the front and the rear hinge.

My question is, should I do some taps on the guard with a nylon hammer to break it loose? Just pulling on the front of the guard, to the point I had to wear a glove to keep from cutting me, has no real effect. It's really stuck with gunk. There were no problems before in field stripping it, or with any functions. It was running perfectly when put away, but did sit, in the case, for several years.

I really want to at least field strip it so I can get in there and do a deep cleaning. But using extreme force to get it open sure seems to be a good way to screw up a target pistol.

Would further soaking in the mineral spirits with the slide locked back have any effect? It's still there and the grips are still off.

Just don't want to make any bubba moves with this pistol.

Thanks
Rob

 

[armorer951]

Judiciously tapping on the trigger guard, frame, and/or on top of the barrel above the area of the locking cam with a plastic hammer will do no harm, if done correctly, and may help free the assembly. To avoid marring the gun's surface or finish, be sure that the plastic hammer face is "clean", and free of any imbedded contaminants. Make sure to secure any parts assembled into the frame that can come loose when you are doing this....like the slide stop, or trigger bar, for instance.

 

[Protocall_Design]

You may also want to put masking tape over any areas you tap on to preserve the finish.

 

[chief38]

Just out of curiosity is this a new gun or a vintage pre-pwned one? Just asking because if new, you might have a few burrs that need stoning - might be causing the sticking. If used, something sounds like it does not fit correctly.

 

[wetdog1911]

No, it is a 1990 DOM that I bought slightly used in 1991. Been shooting it ever since. It has been flawless till I let it sit for a couple years after surgeries. I've had it apart many times for cleaning over the years.

I know it's just dried gunk because I shot it, wiped it down, cased it and put it in the safe just before all the drama happened and it got forgotten with everything else going on.

Rob

 

[AJ]

More soaking the whole thing in more mineral spirits or kerosene might be in order.

 

[fuzes45]

Try Lacquer thinner to soak, must lube after as it will remove all
oils.

 

[s&wchad]

More soaking the whole thing in more mineral spirits or kerosene might be in order.

Remove the grips first...

 

[AJ]

Remove the grips first...

That is a given.............

 

[crankyoldlady]

Apply more Kroil and warm it up with a hair dryer.

 

[wetdog1911]

I'll answer in reverse.

COL, tried the hairdryer route, but not since I used more Kroil. Will try that again as heat got the slide unstuck once. I had set it on the floor of the safe close to the goldenrod, but stuck again once it cooled off.

S&Wchad, grips have been off for over 6 weeks, ever since I knew this wasn't going to be a normal field strip. But, thanks for the reminder.

fuzes45, really trying to avoid lacquer thinner or acetone. After 2 house fires I'm really wary of super volatile stuff in open containers.

AJ, still have the pan of mineral spirits handy and will soak some more if the Kroil & hair dryer doesn't work.

Got a brand new nylon hammer, but I only want to use that as a last resort. No rush with the pistol, so if more soaking will do the trick, more soaking it will get. Might even try putting pan and all in the sun to heat up the MS and pistol. We've been getting plenty of sun lately, WAY plenty. Going to hit ~90 again today and no real change in sight.

I'll keep yall updated.

Rob

 

[AJ]

Keep us posted.

 

[wetdog1911]

More soaking the whole thing in more mineral spirits or kerosene might be in order.

It's soaking again right now.

But, I'm getting ready to go to HD and snag some acetone and ATF (non synthetic), and another roasting pan from the grocery store and do a DIY penetrating solution. Like a simple Ed's Red.

This is more than likely going outside in the sun, for both the heat and to avoid using it inside. I *don't think* this is going to require a long term soak like the MS, more like a few hours in the sun. Also, the acetone will likely evaporate fairly quickly doing this. IDK for sure, but it seems reasonable to assume so.

Is it also safe to assume that this is not going to react with the disposable aluminum roasting pan? Like what they sell for turkeys only smaller.

Any flaws in this plan? If so, please point them out, or any further suggestions.

Thanks
Rob

 

[Green Frog]

Rob,

Since you will be letting this work outside, I would suggest using a closed container to soak it... keep the acetone in the system. Just be careful opening the container at the end! Soaking is our friend and the thinner, more volatile the soak medium, the better it will cut the dried on gunk. Good luck!

Froggie

 

[k22fan]

To lessen stinky fumes, fire hazard and losing the more easily evaporated components of your fluid I humbly suggest soaking in a Tupper Ware or shallow rectangular plastic storage bin with a snap on lid. Back when Hoppies #9 contained benzine I soaked my 8 3/8" Model 29-2 in it for 2 weeks in a quart of #9 in Tupper Ware. The problem was only leading but it came out clean as a whistle. Other than I would not have used it again for food the Tupper Ware was not affected. More recently I tried some internet ya-hoo's suggestion that I soak a 1950s .38 Masterpiece in automatic transmission fluid to remove rust off or at least loosen the rust. Two weeks immersion did nothing to either the rust or the storage tub that I soaked it in. My point is plastic tubs hold up fine.

 

[wetdog1911]

IDK about the ATF by itself, but the 'penetrating' part of the Ed's Red is just a 50/50 blend of non synthetic ATF and acetone.

I'll look for one of those plastic, freezer, storage containers that's large enough. But, in any event there were 2 of the 9x13x2" aluminum pans and in a pinch I could tape one down over the other to act as a lid.

I just don't see this sitting for very long like the Mineral Spirits soak. Hours, not days or weeks. Could be totally wrong about that though.

Rob

 

[Doc1500]

Have you thought of soaking it outside in PB Blaster. And I emphasize outside.
My brother once to put some car parts in a small coffee can down in his basement a couple of winters ago, he and his wife woke up very sick to their stomach. They had to open all the windows of the house and fumigate in the middle of winter. PB Blaster does some amazing stuff with rust.

 

[Doc1500]

I just checked about six different sites pertaining to Frozen slide on a pistol, many recommend PB Blaster.
And I'll say it again, put the container outside, do not soak inside the house anywhere.

 

[Doc1500]

I also just checked with my brother who restores vintage motocross bikes. I know he's been finding the best things to use in restoration, I asked him what he uses and he said use kroil. I guess after his episode with PB Blaster he changed product

 

[wetdog1911]

I just checked about six different sites pertaining to Frozen slide on a pistol, many recommend PB Blaster.
And I'll say it again, put the container outside, do not soak inside the house anywhere.

I saw it at HD, but all they had was a spray can and too small for a soak. I'll look around and see if it's offered in Qt or gallon sizes.

Have also heard good things about it, but now with the trigger guard stuck, a soak is almost certainly needed. Especially with that flange that covers the hole where the locking stud goes into the frame. It covers exactly where the PB blaster would need to go.

Nothing is mixed up yet and I'll do some google searching tonight to see if larger sizes are available locally.

Yes, no matter what, all this stuff will be done outside. The mineral spirits is pretty much oderless. None of this other stuff is.

Rob