Jennings Nine doctoring help.

[Picknlittle]

Yes I know this is near futile, but I have a Jennings Nine that belonged to a friend of mine. I had a few bucks I could afford to invest in a paperweight and did so. Now, to make this thing functional,....er, ahh, maybe,... more functional.

Anywho, the machining on this thing is pitiful. The slide and trigger feel as though there is sand in them. I have managed to get a grand total of three successive rounds off without a stovepipe or some other such malady. What do I need to work on smoothing and polishing or whatever to make thing actually work,...well,....better?

 

[Drgong]

Most folks rail at these guns. I don't, as not all can afford a Browning Hi Power, and while nowadays there are better options for a affordable self defense gun, at the time most of these where designed they where the only game in town. And still, What options do you have for a gun who under $200 that can be concealed? Not many

That, and building a gun out of Zinc Alloys is just kinda cool.

http://concealed-carry.5u.com/

This is a guide on the .380, some might match for the 9mm.

I know someone who played around with one of these Zinc speicals and learned a lot of home gunsmithing and is proud to show off a decent little gun. I am tempted to buy one of these as a one to mess around with one day.

 

[Trebor]

There are two tools you need to gunsmith a Jennings.

1. A flat, hard, surface, such as an anvil or a flat rock.

2. A hammer. No, not that hammer, a BIG hammer. Think Sledgehammer.

Then follow these insturctions.

1. Place unloaded Jennings firearm on item 1 (the flat rock).

2. Using item 2 (the hammer) apply concussive force to the Jennnings firearm. Use large swings. Repeat.

3. Dispose of zinc debris and remains.

4. Buy a different gun.

If you follow these instructions, your Jennings will give you as good a service as it ever would.

 

[OOOXOOO]

+1 Trebor

 

[Drgong]

I will be highroad on this, also another trick is download it to 8 rounds, some have reported they get better results.

I know it is not a great gun, ok, it not a good gun, band Hi Point has taken over the market by producing a much better product, but before Hi-Point became decent guns, what else could you buy for ~$125 or less?

 

[Picknlittle]

Well Trebor, I hope you won't mind if I don't dis my friend that way. It really doesn't matter if it shoots well or not. Being the paperweight it is, it is still something that belonged to a very good friend. IF I can make it shootable, I would like to, not because I need the gun, but because I'd like to try.

If it never fires another round, it'll still be something I shall keep and cherish for what it is.

 

[Chipperman]

How about taking some fine wet sandpaper and smoothing out some of the roughness internally?

 

[ashtxsniper]

Engrave highpoint into the slide then it will somehow become a great non jamming gun according to some on this forum. Jennings, Low-Point, Lorcin, RG, and Bryco are all about on the smae level as far as I'm concerned.

 

[1 old 0311]

Start by polishing the feedramp, gently, but DON'T change the ramp angle.

 

[mtarnold5]

Jennings

Holy cow.......I wouldn't waste my time......but, have you checked the springs (recoil and magazine)? As someone else suggested, try polishing the feedramp.....

By the way, there are options under $200 that are much better.

FEG PA-63 (9x18)
Bulgarian Makarov

Good luck and let us know how it turns out,

Mike

 

[Drgong]

Where can you get a Bulgarian Makarov for under $200? As a Makarov is one of my options for a future Conceal Carry gun...

 

[weregunner]

www.bryco-jennings-jimenezarms.com
These people can probably help out.

For parts www.e-gunparts.com or www.brownells.com might have something.

 

[fletcher]

Where can you get a Bulgarian Makarov for under $200? As a Makarov is one of my options for a future Conceal Carry gun...

You can't anymore, with the exception being the rare lucky find. Prices are typically $250+, closer to $300.

But, start here if you're looking.

 

[jim147]

+1 on checking springs. Also clean the mag out and make sure the inside is smooth. Cheap mags can kill the most exspensive gun.

I also have a Raven .25 if anyone wants to stand in front of it. From everything I've read online about this pistol and cartrige it should jam all the time or just bounce right off you.

Any takers?

 

[Drgong]

I actually been thinking about buying a raven just to have one, and a friend who likes cheep, small inexpensive pistols has told me the raven is not nearly as bad as some of the other Zinc guns.

Of course, I will get the raven after some much needed guns...

 

[Drgong]

You can't anymore, with the exception being the rare lucky find. Prices are typically $250+, closer to $300.

But, start here if you're looking.

Thanks, Hopefully I can find one and handle it before I jump into it...

 

[mtarnold5]

Makarovs

P.m. sent to Drgong with links to several options.

You might also consider the CZ82 (9x18).....they can still be had for right at 200. Check J&G sales........

I gotta tell you though, if you are going to put your money into all these zinc pistols (jennings and ravens), you might as well save for a mak, or cz82. They are solid pistols that function properly all the time.

Take care, Mike Arnold

 

[makarovnik]

The Jennings 9mm can be reliable if you use the correct ammo and keep it clean. They don't like ammo that is too long overall from the base to the nose of the bullet. Also make sure the mag is in good working order and not bent. I have a Bryco .380 and it has never jammed once in over 500 rounds. Yeah I know, I got lucky.

 

[memphisjim]

Dont Rely On That Gun

 

[mtarnold5]

Jennings/Bryco

I am not surprised your bryco hasn't hiccuped......they are made to function properly, and you probably take good care of it.. There is a place for inexpensive guns like these...........however, a couple of people asked on this thread if there were any options under 200 for CONCEALED carry. Taking a Jennings/Bryco/Raven to the range or out in the boonies shooting is one thing.........but given the OVERALL reputation of these pistols, as memphisjim stated, I WOULD NOT RELY on these guns for self defense or concealed carry. God forbid you find yourself in a situation where you are required to defend your life or the life of a loved one. You are much better off saving a little longer and getting something you can truly rely on. I am not trying to flame anyones pistols, because I am very aware not everyone can afford a hi-power, or a kimber...........there are just MUCH better options out there. I am also aware the original poster is just trying to make his function better and is probably not going to carry his Jennings9.

BTW Picknlittle........keep us posted as to if you can get that pistol running better.

Take care, Mike Arnold

 

[Drgong]

as for me, I would buy one "for fun" and a jennings is better then nothing, but I personally have much better options.

Also in the Sub $200 catagory is the Nagant revolver, which I would put as a better self defense gun then a Jennings.

 

[Picknlittle]

Jennings Nine fixed, or so it seems

Here's the update on my repair attempts. Actual range testing will come tomorrow.

I fine sanded all slide contact points and the ramp. It was all pretty pitted or galled. I then oiled it good and was impressed by how much smoother the slide operated, so off to shoot we go,......not much help yet. Still stove piped nearly every round. I noticed that even when operating the slide manually, bullets were coming out of the mag pointing almost straight up. This was long before the fed ramp came into play. I took the mag apart and low and behold the spring was turned so the terminal end was installed to the mag front. This allowed the front of follower to dip as the bullet moved forward, and this allowed the bullet to drop. Anyway, I reinstalled the spring after a good cleaning and a touch of oil. Now, I have loaded ten rounds ten times and manually cycled the slide, both as fast as I can and slow and deliberately with zero failures.

Last night I added finishing touches to the fine sanding by using a polishing compound on those contact points and feed ramp. The ramp shines like a mirror now,...tomorrow I feed it and see how it eats.

Any advise for smoothing out the trigger? Would it be a good move to replace the recoil spring with a lighter spring?

Later, and thanks for all the good pointers.

 

[Drgong]

let us know how it shoots!

 

[DA_BULLS]

I'm sorry, I would consider it rude for a friend to give me a jennings, or bryco, or hi point or lorcin etc...

 

[jim147]

I wouldn't go to a lighter recoil spring. May have problems returning to battery. Not sure on the trigger may be able to smooth up a few pieces so nothing is dragging on the frame.