H&R Self Loader 32 ACP Firing Pin/Spring

[Johnm1]

If you haven't gathered, I'm going back through some old projects recently.

I have had this H&R Self Loader for a couple of years and this issue existed when I purchased it. The symptoms I am experiencing is that the slide does not want to retract all of the way. I have isolated this to the firing pin spring and it's guide rod. If the firing pin spring and Rod are removed the slide will retract all the way. The firing pin spring was found bent in its track. I suspect I will need to replace the spring. Fortunately they are available.

I have attached one of the two diagrams I have for this pistol. This diagram shows the guide spring head entering into the rear of the firing pin. The other diagram I have shows the guide spring head resting in a recess in the slide return block. Noted as part number 11 on the diagram. For your information, the diagram indicates that the firing pin, spring, rod are above the recoil spring. In fact this is just the way they drew the diagram. The Recoil spring is actually above the firing pin and it's spring and Rod.

I think to solve this one, I will need someone who is either well-versed in this particular model, not very likely, or someone who has one that is willing to open it up and help guide me through how this spring and pin are arranged. I have tried every combination I can think of and the spring steel bends and prevents the slide from retracting all of the way.

I have seen one video of the disassembly of this type of pistol and it appears, at least on that pistol, that the firing pin spring guide rod is attached to the slide return block. It does not appear that it was ever welded or soldered in place. But it does not fit tightly in the recessed in the slide return block and will fall out if I place it there. The firing pin spring guide rod is a part that is shown with its own part number separate from the slide return block. So I assume it is either loose fit or soldered to hold it in place. And I guess that is the real question.

Parts Diagram


In place


Arrangement

 

[Johnm1]

Well, I have looked at this gun on and off for the last couple years. But, if you look at things long enough eventually you figure out how things work. It gets confusing when someone puts their fingers into the work before you. Then you have to figure out what they did. I believe that is the case with this one. The final resolution of this one is that the firing pin guide rod must have been replaced with a new one that had not been fitted to the gun. It was too long. I shortened it 3 tenths of an inch and now it works properly. Who would have thought that a correct part was too long? But that was the case here. I'll make sure it feeds as soon as I find my stash of 32 ACP tonight and verify it ejects next weekend when I test fire it.

 

[Johnm1]

Well, none of the above was right. This gun never cycled when I bought it. There were a couple of things wrong. First the retaining pin that held the breach plate, part no. 4, in place was rusted in place. The local gunsmith fixed that for me. Plus, the firing pin guide rod had been installed backwards. The combination of the two made reading the symptoms difficult as the breach plate would sporadically slide out of place unnoticed and tie up the gun.

Breach plate secured and guide rod oriented property the gun functions flawlessly. The upside is that it is a sweet shooter! Very good accuracy at 7 yards even with the tiny sights.

EDIT: I did solder the head of the firing pin guide rod to the slide return block to keep the guide rod in place.

 

[Eugen]

Nice story to follow to a happy ending. Yes, there are plenty of fat fingers bubbas out there that can do some amazing mischief with a firearm. I have encountered a few in my time. I am a hobbyist, but I always try to follow the medical creed of "first do no harm". I approach my projects, perhaps like you, very carefully and with plenty of research. These vintage firearms are just to rare and precious to ruin.