Can't field strip Ruger P89

[Anna's Dad]

I have a coworker with a Ruger P89. He's field stripped the gun a dozen times or more without a problem but is now unable to do so.

He removes the magazine and enables the safety. He locks the slide back and pushes the ejector down. He moves the slide forward and pulls the slide stop out of the frame.

The slide is then able to move forward but seems to lock just forward of its normal position and will not move any further.

Any thoughts? The only other thing that he mentioned was that the guide rod seems to have some play where he doesn't remember this being the case previously. He may just have never noticed before, though, since he hasn't had a problem.

He brought the gun to work today, so I have access to it for the next 5-6 hours. Any suggestions, especially in the next few hours while I have the gun available to me, would be greatly appreciated!

- Eric

 

[MCgunner]

You SURE he's pushing down the ejector? It has to stay down, click in place out of the way.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Redundant.

 

[P97]

Might take a look at this Thread. http://www.rugerforum.net/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3194&SearchTerms=p89

 

[Anna's Dad]

I just tried it myself and I definately pushed the ejector all the way down. I didn't hear or feel a click but it does stay down--is that normal?

P97: The thread you posted doesn't seem to explain an inability to take down the gun, just a slide lock problem while firing the gun. I asked the owner about the spring and he said its definaly possible that its on backward (he didn't know that it mattered) but since we can't take it down, I'm not sure how we can verify or correct that.

 

[MarshallDodge]

I saw this happen at the range to a guy. He took it to the range officer who does gunsmithing on the side. The range officer thought that the guide rod had come apart inside and was creating the problem.

Not sure if this is your issue or if he was correct but maybe it will give you an idea.

 

[Anna's Dad]

I guess that could be given the fact that the guide rod seems loose. We've both tried everything we can think of to get it apart.

I'm getting the bad feeling that he's going to have to go to a smith. Just seems like it should be something simple!

 

[kermit315]

try http://www.rugerforum.com/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/rugerforum/Ultimate.cgi?action=intro

go to the autopistols forum and ask COFFEEPOT. he used to work for ruger, on the P series and will be able to tell you exactly what is up.

 

[Anna's Dad]

kermit315,

I have sent a message to COFFEE POT. Hopefully he's willing and able to help. Thank you for the reference.

 

[kermit315]

no problem, glad i could point you in a good direction.

Jamie

 

[kermit315]

any word yet?

 

[vzenmn]

I had something simular to this happen with my P95. I sent it to Ruger and they said the sear spring was installed incorrectly.

 

[rantingredneck]

Sounds like the guide rod is out of position for sure. If you lock the slide open and pull forward on the guide rod you may be able to shift it back into the notch it's supposed to be in. If it's out of that notch you will not be able to get the slide off. You'll have to do it by feel and trial and error but it shouldn't be too difficult.