Slide disassembly of a 5609

[quneur]

My description of this pistol can be boiled down to one word - frustration.

Ive been trying to adjust the sights which a local gunsmith will do for about $40. I've been looking at epj or an universal sight tool but before trying either the decocker has to come off.

I've been looking at videos on taking the decocker off but I've tried sticking a allen wrench into the hole (on decocker) but nothing. It's suppose to depress a plunger allowing the thumb panel (?) to slide off. But nothing happens. I put alot of pressure on the allen wrench but don't feel any plunger being depressed nor will the panel slide off. What am I doing wrong?

 

[Shadow1006]

With the slide off of the frame, laying with the right side up, rotate the decocker drum to the safe position, depress the detent pin inside the small hole in the right side lever, apply some pressure to the lever to slide it off the drum.

Look at this video;
‪Smith & Wesson Mod 4506 advanced takedown Part 3‬‏ - YouTube

 

[W.E.G.]

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-smithing/176021-generation-3-semi-auto-firing-pin-removal.html

 

[epj]

Once you have the firing pin depressed, you may have to push th epin in a bit further and wiggle the safety a bit. Once you've done it once and see how the thing is put together it's simple as pie.

 

[quneur]

Shadow:
I have seen those videos. I still can not depress the detent pin. There is no movement no matter how much pressure I apply. There is alittle play on the lever movement.

The dents on the site are from my attempt to use the punch & hammer. Something tells me that this particular gun has been used alot but wasn't cleaned alot or lubricated. Everything is frozen on this thing.

W.E.G.:
This gun has an ambi decocker. You can not take the it off without taking off the right-side lever first.

I'm just going to send it to S&W.

 

[Swabby]

Just a few suggestions, some of which has already been covered, but it's all good stuff. Did you try to get some light in the hole to see what is going on? I know it is a tiny little hole, but maybe there is something really caked in there. The spring behind that plunger is not very large or overly strong, meaning most likely there are other forces involved (supernatural or otherwise). No, seriously, it should not take a ton of pressure to press in the plunger. Maybe you are pressing it in and don't realize it. Maybe the right side safety lever is just not coming off because the safety is not in the proper position. A change S&W made over time is the right side lever will not come off when the gun is in the fire position. The backside of the lever is machined in such a way that it only slides off when the lever is between safe and fire.

So, here is how I would try. Look into the hole to see if there is any crud, clean out the hole with acetone, gun scrubber, etc. Then put a few drops of Break Free down the hole. Let is soak overnight. The next day, put the safety lever between safe and fire, press a very small punch (or paperclip) into the hole and hopefully release the lever from the rest of the safety. Just make sure your are not pressing the punch or paperclip into the hole that far that it is taking the place of the plunger and still not allowing you to slide the lever off the body. Hopefully, this helps and good luck.

 

[Swabby]

quneur, sorry, I guess you were posting the photo while I was typing. I would still try my suggestions before sending it back. I know it can be super frustrating when others make something sound so easy, but the project in your hands is so difficult. Seriously, relax, take a deep breath, walk away from it for awhile. That is why I like having two projects going at once. If one starts to give me trouble, I go to the other one for awhile. Sometimes, when you come back with a clear mind, things work out better. Don't stress the rear sight too much. Once you get this other thing figured out, that rear sight can be smoothed out and cold blued. It won't look nearly as bad as it does now.

Maybe the previous owner put loctite in that hole for whatever reason. Maybe it is a New Orleans police trade-in, and went through Katrina, meaning maybe that spring is so rusted inside the blind hole it can no longer compress. I do not know the particular history of your handgun, but stuff like that happens. I am still suggesting, clean out the hole best you can, use a penetrating oil overnight, use a small enough punch, and make sure the lever is in the middle when you try to remove it. Again, good luck with your project.

 

[epj]

Don't panic yet. We can talk you down. First, remove the right hand safety lever. Put a paperclip or similar in the hole in the center and ease the lever off. There is a small plunger and spring that retain the lever. Don't let these get away. Next you want to depress the plunger on the left hand side of the slide. The firing pin has a shoulder on it. Depress the firing pin until it sticks out past the breachface about a quarter inch, ie it is bottomed out. You can then let go of the plunger and the firing pin will stay forward. As you manuver the safety out of the slide, you will have to push a bit on the firing pin and wiggle the safety a bit. Again, once you get it out and see how it's made, it will all seem simple.