Stuck firing pin spring guide

CAP Black · 03-15-2012, 11:01 PM

Anyone know how to get a stuck spring guide out of the slot? I was having trouble getting it to turn and seat so I put it into the slot without the spring and it's ****-eyed or something and won't come back out. At least not without a lot of difficulty.
Thanks
Jack

alanint · 03-16-2012, 08:19 AM

The only thing that comes to mind is to purchase, (unless you already have one) a fine pin punch less than the diameter of the firing pin hole in the bolt face and try to gently tap it out that way. You can also try to reach under the guide through the open slot that guides the firing pin's sear lobe on the side of the hold and try to gently pry it out.

Caution is the key. You don't want to bugger the locking slot for the FP guide that's at the rear of the bolt.

ithacaartist · 03-16-2012, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanint

You can also try to reach under the guide through the open slot that guides the firing pin's sear lobe on the side of the hold and try to gently pry it out.

Caution is the key. You don't want to bugger the locking slot for the FP guide that's at the rear of the bolt.

I agree that this might work, but reiterate the caution required. Set your work up in a padded, non-marring vise, and use brass, wood, or plastic pokers and tools.

CAP Black · 03-16-2012, 11:05 AM

The first problem is to make sure the head is positioned so as not to be twisted into the slot.
A pin punch that small, huh.??
thanks
Jack

alanint · 03-16-2012, 11:14 AM

They make them.

That's how we tap roll pins out of AR front sight towers to remove gas tubes.

rhuff · 03-16-2012, 05:58 PM

If you first try to line up the tab to the slot(apply plenty of oil to the area first), and then possibly a blast of air through the firing pin hole might do it for you. Be sure not to have your bare hand trying to catch the firing pin spring guide.....that could be painful.

CAP Black · 03-16-2012, 07:25 PM

Now that is a marvelous idea. I knew someone would add the right touch. Thanks, so much.
Jack

lugerholsterrepair · 03-16-2012, 07:45 PM

The first problem is to make sure the head is positioned so as not to be twisted into the slot

Jack, There is a flange on the side of the rounded end of the spring guide. It must line up with the gap to move to the rear and out.

The air idea is a good one but you may not want to limit it's pressure to the size of the firing pin hole. You may be able to seperate the firing pin..push it forward and blast in from the side slot in the bolt?

CAP Black · 03-16-2012, 09:57 PM

The only item in the well is the spring guide.

Lugerdoc · 03-17-2012, 07:19 AM

ALWAYS use your FP spring when testing FP retainers as these can vary considerable in size. In your case, I'd make sure that the tit is lined up with the slot on left side of the breech block and then gently tap on the inside of retainer thru the slot. TH

CAP Black · 03-18-2012, 11:58 AM

That worked. I padded the unit and put it snuggly in a vise and then found a very tiny flat screwdiver that fit into grove and gently tapped it out. No problem. The air didn't do the job because my little reciprocating compressor would only go up to 100 pounds and then couldn't hold that pressure.
Jack

rhuff · 03-18-2012, 03:43 PM

Glad to hear that you were successful. Don't you just love it when a plan comes together??

CAP Black · 03-18-2012, 07:06 PM

You ain't just whistling Dixie. You hate to think that you might ruin a part in getting it back out of a bad predicament. Also could see a trip to the gunsmith's shop.
I tried what I did because the thing wouldn't go into place and seat properly. After I got it out of there, it all fit just like it "aughta" and I was a happy camper. And a lesson learned. As Tom H said: "Don't put it in there without the spring!
Jack

03-15-2012, 11:01 PM	#1
CAP Black User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Fairmont, WV Right here in Mountaineer country and God's country Posts: 767 Thanks: 100 Thanked 174 Times in 96 Posts	Stuck firing pin spring guide Anyone know how to get a stuck spring guide out of the slot? I was having trouble getting it to turn and seat so I put it into the slot without the spring and it's ****-eyed or something and won't come back out. At least not without a lot of difficulty. Thanks Jack

03-16-2012, 07:45 PM	#8
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,775 Thanks: 4,995 Thanked 3,133 Times in 1,439 Posts	The first problem is to make sure the head is positioned so as not to be twisted into the slot Jack, There is a flange on the side of the rounded end of the spring guide. It must line up with the gap to move to the rear and out. The air idea is a good one but you may not want to limit it's pressure to the size of the firing pin hole. You may be able to seperate the firing pin..push it forward and blast in from the side slot in the bolt? __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

03-16-2012, 09:57 PM	#9
CAP Black User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Fairmont, WV Right here in Mountaineer country and God's country Posts: 767 Thanks: 100 Thanked 174 Times in 96 Posts	The only item in the well is the spring guide. Last edited by CAP Black; 03-17-2012 at 10:04 AM. Reason: correct spelling

03-17-2012, 07:19 AM	#10
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 737 Times in 484 Posts	ALWAYS use your FP spring when testing FP retainers as these can vary considerable in size. In your case, I'd make sure that the tit is lined up with the slot on left side of the breech block and then gently tap on the inside of retainer thru the slot. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

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03-16-2012, 08:19 AM	#2
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	The only thing that comes to mind is to purchase, (unless you already have one) a fine pin punch less than the diameter of the firing pin hole in the bolt face and try to gently tap it out that way. You can also try to reach under the guide through the open slot that guides the firing pin's sear lobe on the side of the hold and try to gently pry it out. Caution is the key. You don't want to bugger the locking slot for the FP guide that's at the rear of the bolt.

03-16-2012, 11:05 AM	#4
CAP Black User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Fairmont, WV Right here in Mountaineer country and God's country Posts: 767 Thanks: 100 Thanked 174 Times in 96 Posts	The first problem is to make sure the head is positioned so as not to be twisted into the slot. A pin punch that small, huh.?? thanks Jack

03-16-2012, 11:14 AM	#5
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	They make them. That's how we tap roll pins out of AR front sight towers to remove gas tubes.

03-16-2012, 05:58 PM	#6
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,308 Thanks: 2,737 Thanked 993 Times in 729 Posts	If you first try to line up the tab to the slot(apply plenty of oil to the area first), and then possibly a blast of air through the firing pin hole might do it for you. Be sure not to have your bare hand trying to catch the firing pin spring guide.....that could be painful.

03-16-2012, 07:25 PM	#7
CAP Black User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Fairmont, WV Right here in Mountaineer country and God's country Posts: 767 Thanks: 100 Thanked 174 Times in 96 Posts	Now that is a marvelous idea. I knew someone would add the right touch. Thanks, so much. Jack

03-18-2012, 11:58 AM	#11
CAP Black User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Fairmont, WV Right here in Mountaineer country and God's country Posts: 767 Thanks: 100 Thanked 174 Times in 96 Posts	That worked. I padded the unit and put it snuggly in a vise and then found a very tiny flat screwdiver that fit into grove and gently tapped it out. No problem. The air didn't do the job because my little reciprocating compressor would only go up to 100 pounds and then couldn't hold that pressure. Jack

03-18-2012, 03:43 PM	#12
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,308 Thanks: 2,737 Thanked 993 Times in 729 Posts	Glad to hear that you were successful. Don't you just love it when a plan comes together??

03-18-2012, 07:06 PM	#13
CAP Black User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Fairmont, WV Right here in Mountaineer country and God's country Posts: 767 Thanks: 100 Thanked 174 Times in 96 Posts	You ain't just whistling Dixie. You hate to think that you might ruin a part in getting it back out of a bad predicament. Also could see a trip to the gunsmith's shop. I tried what I did because the thing wouldn't go into place and seat properly. After I got it out of there, it all fit just like it "aughta" and I was a happy camper. And a lesson learned. As Tom H said: "Don't put it in there without the spring! Jack