Beretta 84 disassembly problem

[tfunster]

I was given a model 84 from which the owner was unable to remove the slide/barrel assembly. I said "no problem" since I own a Browning BDA 380.
I attempted to remove in the normal fasion and could not get the assembly to slide off of the rails. It will move forward about 3/4" and no further. I tapped on the back of the slide with a dowel rod which actually makes the the assembly "stick" and must be tapped towards the grip to release it.
I tore into my Browning to see if there might be something interfering in the latch area within the frame. and only the bottom interface of the barrel and recoil spring guide rod are in this area. The latch pushes the guide rod about 1/4" forward under recoil spring tension. I cleaned and inspected the bore for evidence of a bulged barrel due to a KA-BOOM or a round being chased down the bore. (the owner assures me that this did not happen).
The gun fires/operates normally but cannot be taken down for cleaning or inspection.
Can the latch assembly be removed with having the slide/barrel off. Since the gun is usable I don't want to attempt to get it apart if It means damage and would rather not send it to Beretta if at all possible.
Any help and or advise would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Tom

 

[GeorgeR]

Beretta 84 Takedown

Here's the way it is susposed to work.....Push the takedown latch release button (on the left side just ahead of the trigger) and move the takedown latch to 6 o'clock. The slide should now go forward and off the frame.

 

[tfunster]

normal disassembly

George:
That how it works on my Browning and that process works on the Beretta "until" you get the slide/barrel assembly about 3/4" forward then it stops

Thanks

Tom

 

[Master Blaster]

the magazine is out right?

 

[GeorgeR]

And the hammer is down?

 

[rcmodel]

Thats a pretty common problem with that gun.

The head of the guide rod has worn the aluminum frame slot, and is now stuck.

Try this:

*Lock the slide open.
*Take out the magazine
*Release the take-down lever.
*Point the gun at a sofa pillow to catch the slide.

*Push the slide release and let her rip.

If that don't do it, get a rubber or plastic tip hammer and beat it off.

A new guide-rod might be in order, as well as de-burring & polish the frame slot until it fits correctly.

Also, keep the contact area well greased to prevent further wear.


rcmodel

 

[tfunster]

Thanks

MasterBlaster: Yes, magazine out

George: Yes, hammer down

rcmodel: I tried putting a 1/4" wood dowel in the firing pin recess in the rear of the slide and tapped on it until the dowel started to split. It still did'nt come loose.
Do you have any idea what kind of force it might take to overcome the burr. I hate to pound on it excessively although I'm not sure how else to get it apart? short of drilling through both sides of the take-down lever to possibly provide some additional room to clear the guide rod.
Is the wear that may be causing the interference at the bottom of the pocket in the frame, side(s), or both? Is it possible to "lift" or try move the guide rod in one direction or the other (away from the burr or wear spot in the frame?)
In any case, the help and suggestions are appreciated!

Tom

 

[rcmodel]

I suppose you could try pulling or moving the guide-rod with the slide locked back, or held open part-way to make sure spring binding at full slide travel isn't holding the rod tight.
See if it can be moved at all.

I don't have an 84 laying around to look at so that is mostly conjecture.

Did you try dropping the slide with the slide-stop and letting it fly off like I suggested?


rcmodel

 

[tfunster]

rcmodel

I don't have it available right now but I will try your suggestion and let you know. Thanks, Tom

 

[tfunster]

success!

After using rcmodel's suggestion to let the slide release drop the slide with the force applied by the recoil spring after performing this once I knew That it was the guide rod that was interefering with the slide travel off of the frame. I repeated this (3) times and each sucessive release made the guide rod protrude farther out of the slide until there was enough length to capture it securely in a vise. I then grasped the frame, pulled sharply and Viola, the frame slipped away from the slide assembly, guide rod and recoil spring. Once apart I could readily see that the "U" shape in the aluminum frame was battered around the area where the guide rod head must pass thru, restricting the movement of the guide rod and barrel. The owner shoots some pretty high energy rounds (for a .380) through it. A steady diet of 95 gr. 1000fps loads.
I was able to remove the displaced metal until the guide rod head slips into the frame with slight clearance to spare then buffed the area. I also radiused the muzzle end of the guide rod head. Hopefully this will provide some "slip-over clearance" should this peening occur again. I will also be ordering a 16# recoil spring to better control the recoil force applied to the frame when the slide contacts it. (stock weight is 14#) In addition to having the owner keep a close watch on this area of the frame. I looked over my BDA in this area and it shows only a very slight "shadow" of the impact area from the slide. The only real difference in the two guns in this area, Beretta 84 and Browning BDA is the BDA's guide rod diameter is about .040 larger than the 84's along with a larger diameter recoil spring. Both springs feel to be about the same weight.
I really appreciate the response of everyone to my query. Anyone have any additional suggestions and comments for reducing the impact on the frame?

Thanks Again

Tom

 

[rcmodel]

A steady diet of 95 gr. 1000fps loads.

That right there might be your problem!

If the guy tries to make a 9mm out of a blow-back .380, he is going to continue to have problems.

I would suggest you try to talk him into Federal Hydra-Shock, or some of the other good "normal power" .380 SD ammo out there.

That extra 100 FPS isn't going to make a rats pattotie differance in the outcome, if he puts the bullets where they need to go.


rcmodel

 

[bart305]

This was a fascinating thread, a few years ago I had a BDA that I decided to trade in because of wear in this area. My reloads aimed for factory specs, but I was using a Dillon so 300+ rounds an outing was not uncommon. Those are great little guns.