Newbie help: takedown lever
 

Just acquired a shooter, S42, and the takedown lever takes lots of force to move (need screwdriver or pliers to pry it). (Yes, I was pushing the barrel back while trying to move it) Any suggestions for freeing it up??

Ray

Yes, be careful!

I have one that is a bear to remove, and other than giving it some oil, I don't think you want to force it, or modify it at all.

Hopefully others have some feedback?

Ed

Raymond,

Since this is a shooter, here is what I have done on some of mine :

1. Do not try to bend the lever...it might break.

Rather :

2. Use a very fine wet-stone and some oil and rub it along the lever's back side that is flat and sits against the side plate. Take a little of metal away at a time and see when there is enough clearance to operate the lever easily. Stop when this happens...

Regards,

Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

Let me take Pete's suggestion to the next level...Clean the takedown lever and the sideplate and the front bottom of the lower receiver until they are perfectly dry... then smoke the installed takedown lever and assemble the parts... carefully work the takedown and when the upper assembly is removed you will find smoke on the parts that are touching... this is where judicious metal removal will make disassemly a little easier...

Important: TAKE THE METAL FROM THE EASILY REPLACEABLE PARTS NOT THE RECEIVER...

Repeat this until the takedown lever functions to your requirements...