Lubed my 3953...now I am stuck. :-( HELP!

[Dean_407]

I feel SO frustrated and retarded!

I have read the directions multiple times.

No matter what I cannot get the tip of the recoil spring assembly to retract after putting the slide on.

See picture:

Slide stop won't go back in

Directions for DAO:
=============================================
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 and firing pin safety levers into their respective slots (figure 19) Position the slide so that the slide stop notch on the slide is aligned with the slide stop hole in the frame.. Insert the slide stop and allow the slide to return to the fully forward position.
========================================

That last part seems so simple. However- it just isn't. Clearly, I am doing something wrong. :-(

The recoil spring assy appears to be centered/seated properly.

I can put the slide all the way on by depressing the levers and rack the slide all the way back.

Nothing moves the little plunger within he recoil spring assembly. The picture shows it OUT. So, WHAT simple thing am I doing wrong????

I am still hoping to get to the range today.

Thanks in advance.

Dean

 

[Dean_407]

I feel SO frustrated and retarded!

I have read the directions multiple times.

No matter what I cannot get the tip of the recoil spring assembly to retract after putting the slide on.

See picture:

Slide stop won't go back in

Directions for DAO:
=============================================
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 and firing pin safety levers into their respective slots (figure 19) Position the slide so that the slide stop notch on the slide is aligned with the slide stop hole in the frame.. Insert the slide stop and allow the slide to return to the fully forward position.
========================================

That last part seems so simple. However- it just isn't. Clearly, I am doing something wrong. :-(

The recoil spring assy appears to be centered/seated properly.

I can put the slide all the way on by depressing the levers and rack the slide all the way back.

Nothing moves the little plunger within he recoil spring assembly. The picture shows it OUT. So, WHAT simple thing am I doing wrong????

I am still hoping to get to the range today.

Thanks in advance.

Dean

 

[toocool]

You don't have the slide back far enough in that picture; the notch has to be over the hole for the slide stop to go back in. I just did it with my 5903 and the little tip you see there should move out of the way and allow the slide stop to go in.

 

[Dean_407]

Even with the slide back far enough with the notch over the hole- it doesn't act on the tip- at all. I tried to take a picture with the slide notch right over the hole, but it was too hard with one hand.

That's what my problem is- why would the slide even when in the correct position not do what it is supposed to?

It seems I must depress all the levers in the rear. If I don't then the slide cannot pass the levers. When I do it disengages the trigger unless a magazine is in place.

Meaning, before the slide goes back on it seems the trigger must have been 'fired' which then disables the trigger.

I don't understand. Manipulating the trigger with the slide (cocking it back) doesn't act on the trigger at all. When I remove the slide it functions fine.

?

 

[Cruiser RN]

You are niether stupid or retarded.First take the slide entirely off and check to make sure your barrel,guide and recoil spring are engaged properly into the slide.Next set the slide on the slide rails and move the slide back until it reaches the three silver levers protruding from the frame,(sorry I don't remember thier proper names), and depress the first with slide lock and move the slide to the second lever.Depress the second and advance to the third.Depress the third and move the slide past it.Now take your 4 fingers of your dominant hand over the slide the thumb of that hand behind the frame pull the slide back until the notch on the frame is clear of the hole and squeeze until that position is matained.You can rest the thumb of the hand holding the gun to your chest to make it easier to matain that position.Now take the slide lock with the other hand and put it thru the holes and while still holding the gun in this position push until you see the entire slide lock slip into place and hear a slight click of the slide lock engaging the frame .You should feel that the slide lock is flush with the frame release the gun from this position and you should be fine.I have only been in the world of S+W Semi-Autos for 6 months after 17+ years of revolver shooting and it took me some time to learn to brace the frame thumb with my chest to hold the pressure to engage the slide lock as I am a small framed guy with rather small hands.Hope I helped and My God Bless.......Merry Christmas ......Mike

 

[Dean_407]

OK- I looked again and took more pics:

pics

I do not see *what* would act upon the plunger in the recoil spring with the slide all the way back or even located where the notch is.

I have racked the slide all the way back- and located the slide to where the notch is to line it up.

I have put a magazine in and racked the slide and pulled the trigger. I cannot under any circumstances get the little plunger inside the recoil spring to push in.

By hand I can push it in using a finger.

This HAS to be something simple.

 

[Dean_407]

Cruiser RN,

Thanks.

I have done that multiple times.

I get using one hand to keep the slide racked near the notch. That is pretty easy.

What I am stating is that under no circumstance does the racking of the slide act upon the plunger.

Am I missing something quite obvious?

When I go to put the slide on should the trigger mechanism be engaged or disengaged? I have tried both ways.

It is fairly easy to depress the levers to allow the slide to slip on. It's easy enough (through requires force) to rack the slide back.

The plunger in the recoil spring doesn't move...I don't see what would act upon it to make it move.

 

[Dean_407]

OK- took more pics of me racking the slide with one hand and lining up the notch in this pic:

picture

The hammer goes back, the trigger moved reward...the plunger inside the recoil spring doesn't move at all.

OK. Is something *supposed* to be sitting in the little brass part that is tall enough to reach the plunger in the recoil spring?

Otherwise I see nothing even with the trigger fully depressed that would come close to touching that plunger. :-(

 

[Cruiser RN]

It appears that you have things in the correct position to place the slide lock in place.A question,have you pulled the trigger with the slide off? If you did the hammer will have cycled and hit the frame.If this is the case even if the slide is properly put back on the frame the action will not function normally.If this is the case pull the trigger back until
the hammer engages in the natural cocked position and assemble it as normal.From the picture you have everything correct to the point of engaging the slide lock.Also note unless the mag safety is deactivated or you have a EMPTY mag in the gun the action will not be able to be cycled.If this doesn't work my I suggest bring it to the range where people can look at it and touch it in person.We are always willing to help.

 

[Dean_407]

OK- I tried with the hammer in natural cocked position. Same deal. Tried with mag in and mag out with hammer in natural cocked position. Same deal.

I am going to the shop...where I bought it. I suspect I will feel stupid, but what can I do.

 

[Dot_mdb]

I hope I understand the problem properly. You are seeing the plunger and thinking that it is in the way?

Don't worry about it. Just push the slide stop pin in the hole and push. It will move the plunger back.

Hope this helps.

Bill

 

[CTPete]

You are doing it correctly.

But the plunger will not retract - it is not supposed to. After retracting the slide so the notch is over the hole, simply place the slide stop lever post into the hole and push it in. The slide stop post is beveled to push the plunger back as you push the slide stop lever into the hole. You may have to wiggle it around a bit.

 

[Dean_407]

Originally posted by ted1trading:
You are doing it correctly.

But the plunger will not retract - it is not supposed to. After retracting the slide so the notch is over the hole, simply place the slide stop lever post into the hole and push it in. The slide stop post is beveled to push the plunger back as you push the slide stop lever into the hole. You may have to wiggle it around a bit.

If only you posted a couple hours sooner! LOL.

I *KNEW* it was soemthing that simple. I work on computers/printers/electronics so forcing something isn't what I'd normally do.

IN Retosepct I can see the bevel in the pin to do that.

I actually had to give it to one of the shop guys. He had some problems initially but just pushed it in. Stick in a giant Homer Simpson "DOH!" on this thread. I missed Church and the gym today because I didn't just shove it in there.

Range report to follow...it works.

Thanks again folks. Maybe this will help someone else down the road a bit...I hope.

 

[CTPete]

Great! Now go shoot it and enjoy!

Merry Christmas.

 

[Alpha426]

Next time you might try installing the slide stop with the muzzle pointed up so that the barrel slides to the rear inside the slide. Sometimes the barrel under lug is blocking the pin from going in.

 

[Cruiser RN]

Dean enjoy your gun.Glad that there was nothing wrong with it.I probably would have had many of those type of moments but I would hang out in my friends gunshop and breakdown and reassemble my CS9 till I could do it in my sleep waiting for my purchase coupon to arrive.....God Bless.....Mike

 

[RV4driver]

I know what you mean...I have always lived by the mantra "if it don't fit, don't force it", but then I took up guns. Now, if it don't fit, pound on it. With rare exceptions, it works. These things are designed to have major parts push minor parts out of the way from time to time. It's a wonder how many gun parts are bevelled just for that purpose. And how about that tiny little recess that keeps the recoil spring assy. from launching off into parts unknown...they can't be serious!

Jeff

 

[Dean_407]

I'm impressed with the quality. And I stripped and cleaned it AND put it all back together like a normal person last night.

This is my first stainless semi auto. My 642 didn't get much use.

I really am trying to keep her pretty.

My buddy who I have been trying to get into guns for the last couple years - sent him a pic of the 3953 and he REALLY likes the looks of it. Started to ask me how it recoils, etc...

So- I may just convert him with this gun. He has small hands too so it should fit him well.

I am happy with my choice.

 

[magnum12pm]

Dean if you get really bored try re-assembling a Ruger Mark 3 sometime. It will bring you to tears.....

 

[TMann]

Originally posted by magnum12pm:
Dean if you get really bored try re-assembling a Ruger Mark 3 sometime. It will bring you to tears.....

Been there, done that. No tears, but there were many foul words that were uttered.

As far as the 3953 slide stop "pin", I must admit that I, too, was surprised at how hard it was to get back in. I have three other guns that have a similar take-down procedure (a Kahr, a CZ, and a Kel-Tec,) and the slide stop slips back in easily for all three of those guns. It took me a couple of tries with my 3913 to realize that there is a bevel on the S&W slide stop that needs to be oriented properly when replacing it into the frame.

You learn something every day around here!

TMann