ISP Model 39 will not re-assemble.

[blade1949]

Tried many times and the slide will only go so far.

Tried & tried....no love.

Any help or thoughts greatly appreciated.

John

 

[WR Moore]

The ejector has to be manually depressed into the frame to allow the slide to go on. The safety block and sear release levers also. Besides that, if the recoil spring guide isn't in the right spot, it may cause issues too.

 

[blade1949]

Thanks WR!!!

Still not together. Even tried to see if slide would go on the frame with no barrel or guide rod inserted. No go. Seems to me slide is hanging on the de-cocker.

Very confused @ this point.

John

 

[Tom S.]

John, I wish I could offer more direct help, but I've only had my model 639 apart to clean it when I first got it and to replace the single side safety with an ambidextrous replacement. I do recall what you are experiencing, and remember that the slide doesn't slip into place as easily as say a 1911 or Sig/HK. Maybe this video will help. You can fast forward to around the 5 minute mark or watch the whole thing (not very long).

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJqpq6IDWi4"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJqpq6IDWi4[/ame]

 

[blade1949]

Tom, thanks for your time. Nice video prensentation.
But alas, still dazed & confused here.

 

[armorer951]

Is it hanging as you try to pass over the area where the ejector lever and sear release lever are....or can you get past that point?

 

[29aholic]

You don't happen to have an empty magazine in it do you?
I also think (but don't remember) the hammer needs to be uncocked and the safety off.

 

[Bruce51]

I have had this happen before and it really just comes down to resetting the guide rod into the barrel notch and putting the slide back on.

While it may seem impossible to do eventually it will seat properly.

A little bit of misalignment is all it takes to stop the assembly. It is not only the 39 but any Smith with the same set up can have this problem.

Sometimes I have to bump it a bit if it does stop on my 639.

Keep trying or have friend or gunsmith give it a try.

Patience will win.

Bruce

 

[armorer951]

He indicated in a previous post that the slide wouldn't go on, even with the barrel and recoil giude/spring removed.

 

[Tom S.]

Maybe this one will help, fast forward to around the 19 minute mark:

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QosVtZHFahc"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QosVtZHFahc[/ame]

 

[blade1949]

No problem getting past the ejector & sear levers.
No mag in and hammer dropped.
De-cocker up.

Sure appreciate all the help fellas!!!!!!!!


I let th 39 fester today and deer hunt in the mornin.

I'll watch the other video Tom, thanks again.

John

 

[WR Moore]

Try cocking the hammer.

BTW, did the piece dry fire normally before taking it down? Also, did you by any chance detail strip it?

 

[Bruce51]

Hammer cocking locks the firing pin safety lever up so the slide cannot pass over it.

My 639 needs the hammer fully forward for the slide to pass over the levers.

I tried to duplicate the OP's issue with the barrel removed and the only time the slide stopped was if the hammer was at half or full cocked.

I hope he gets it back on as we know it did work before.

Bruce

 

[blade1949]

Yes Bruce, it has always worked just fine, and thanks for for duplicating what I tried with guide rod and barrel out.

@ least now I consider myself mostly sane.

Still going to deer hunt this morning here in Missery. ( just west of St. Louie )

Will update soon.

Thanks again ALL!!!!!

 

[JohnHL]

Hi, John!

I am reasonably proficient with these S&W Semi-auto pistols and would be happy to offer some assistance.
I am in the Fenton/High Ridge area.

John

 

[blade1949]

Thanks JohnHL and everyone else!!!!

Explained my problem to a nice gent @ S&W customer service and he told to tap the nose of the slide and lo and behold.I'm a happy camper now.

So, thanks again 1 & all!!!

john

 

[JohnHL]

I'm glad to hear they got you fixed up!

John