Hi Standard Supermatic recoil spring.

[Col. Harrumph]

Hello the camp! My Supermatic Citation (wish I could afford a Trophy!... and was a good enough shot to need one! ) has a problem....

The slide doesn't always make it fully back into battery. A good cleaning and judicious lube job improved matters, but I still get the occasional alibi. I suspect the recoil spring is tired. Wolff sells a replacement, but the question is, how to replace the thing?

The spring and its guide are captured by a plug that's visible on the slide face across from the firing pin. It's held in by a roll pin and that's my problem. Where can I find a roll pin punch that's small enough? The smallest I can find at Brownell's or on Amazon is 1/16 inch. Eyeballing the pin, 1/16" is much too large. I estimate I need a 3/64" diameter pin punch. Know where I can find one?

 

[Kp321]

I'm not at home so can't check my Hi Standards but I think I have used a 1/16" punch to remove the recoil spring retainer. Maybe the pin hole has some crud in it? If it is smaller, Brownells sells smaller pin punches than 1/16". A roll pin punch is not an absolute necessity.

 

[Col. Harrumph]

Well I did drive the pin with a 1/16" punch but it was such a snug fit that 3/64" really would be a better choice. Anyway, job done... and what a PITA to get the new spring in!

Aaaaand and update: It was a tired spring! No more alibis!