559 reassembly problem

[pinoakflats]

After field stripping, cleaning and lubing my recent 559 purchase I am having a problem with reassembly. At the rear of the frame there are three raised and spring loaded "pins" (not sure what they are referred to as), one being the extractor. I can depress and move the slide past the forward two, but the third does not seem to want to depress far enough down into the frame to allow the slide to pass over it. Any ideas or solutions would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[armorer951]

lever

The levers are left to right.....ejector & magazine depressor, sear release lever, and the firing pin block lever. Check to make sure they are installed in the right order. There is a schematic at the Brownells web site if you're not sure.
I usually have problems with the sear release lever. When pressed fully down, it's pushing the top of the sear forward. Make sure the sear and drawbar are installed properly if you removed them. You may have to push down on the lever with something harder than your fingernail, like a brass drift, or small punch.

 

[D Rock]

Here's a picture of the levers armorer951 mentions.


You also have to remember to have the hammer up in the fired position, not cocked, for the slide to go over the levers. Otherwise the sear release lever will stay up. Then push the slide all the way back.

Dave

 

[shawn mccarver]

Make sure the hammer is down (DO NOT PULL THE TRIGGER AND LET IT FLY FORWARD WHILE THE SLIDE IS OFF THE PISTOL), and then push down on all three levers as you push the slide back. It should take no more than finger pressure.

From page 28 of the owner's manual:

"FOR TRADITIONALSINGLE ACTION&DOUBLE ACTION

• Place the hammer in the forward position by pulling the trigger
while slowing the hammer's motion with your thumb. Place
the slide-mounted safety decocking lever into the fully up or
"fire" position. Hold the slide and recoil spring guide firmly in
one hand, move the rear of the slide onto the frame rails.
Continue moving the slide onto the frame by depressing the
ejector, sear release and firing pin safety levers down into
their respective frame slots (Figure 21)."

 

[AzRedleg]

The sear release lever is tough to push down on my 559 as well. I usually push it down with a pen cap or something else plastic. Like the others said, make sure the hammer is at rest.

 

[Gunhacker]

Since it's handy, I usually use the pin end of the slide stop lever to depress the levers, the firing pin safety always seems to be the pickiest one of the 3 levers on my 3rd gens when reassembling.