1916 Erfurt striker spring guide removal help needed!
 

I'm a noob with a "new to me" 1916 Erfurt. Cleaned it first and sorry to say, the barrel is moderately pitted. Lands and grooves still prominent though. From the stuff that came out of the bore it looks to have been shot with corrosive ammo and put away uncleaned for decades. So I don’t feel bad using this one as a shooter.

The problem I am experiencing is with the striker spring guide. The guide is presently oriented “screwdriver slot vertical” and “guide ears horizontal” and slightly protruding from the striker tunnel. I think this is normal. Using only my finger, depressing and trying to turn the guide a quarter turn CCW but no dice. Switched to gunsmith screwdriver and moderate torque but still no dice. It will turn an eighth of the way and then stop.

Any suggestions?

Bill,

Did you push in with the screwdriver? It requires that you push in and then turn to the left 1/4 turn (your left).

Ron

Yep - sure did but no luck! :crying:

Couple of things: Maybe put some liquid wrench on it, then push in and out several times, without torquing the screw. See if that frees things up. Second, I've found on some you can push in too far.
Put a slight torque in the screw then push in slowly.

I was wondering if I pushed too far and will give the gradual approach a shot nest time I take her down. I was concerned that the striker spring was weak but it seems anything but that. I hosed the area with CLP and will take it to the range. Perhaps a few recoil shocks will help.

UPDATE and resolution!
 

About 150 recoil impulses later and I was able to get her apart. You would not believe the CRAP that came out! A good cleaning and as good as new...

Congrats! Seems like a lot of people clean the gun but forget about the firing pin area. The extractor needs attention once in a while too.

FN