New PPK/S issues

[Nivek]

I recently purchased a S&W made PPK/S, brand new. I have previously fired a friend's ppk, and decided on it as my new summer carry gun.
When I brought it home I started to go through the drill of reading the manual, then strip/clean it before heading to the range. Only problem is, I can't get the slide off the frame.

Remove magazine and check chamber... check.
Pull trigger guard down and to the side... check.
Pull slide all the way to rear until it stops... check.
Lift rear of slide off frame... nope, can't do it. Dunno why.

Any thoughts or recommendations, before I take it back to the store, screaming??

 

[Kosh75287]

It's been a while since I've pulled one apart, but it seems like the recesses on the slide that allow it to lift off the frame are difficult to locate, except by feel.

When you pull the slide all the way to the rear until it stops, apply upward (lifting) pressure to the slide, and very gradually, let the slide travel forward just a little. If you continue the upward motion, the recesses will find where they belong. Once the rear of the slide is lifted appreciably away from the frame, EASE the slide forward SLOWLY. Be careful, though... the recoil spring will still be under tension, so things may go flying the first time. After you do the stripping procedure about 3 times, you'll wonder why you ever had a problem.
It's a learning curve. You'll get it with a little time.

 

[MICHAEL T]

This seems to be a bit of a problem with the S&W copy of a Walthers
Try real hard if no sucess. Call them and they will pay shipping both ways
If you want a working PPK/S go find a Interarms or a German inported .
This is general line of thought on Walthers Boards The S&W has 2 many problems .

 

[Nivek]

OK. Thought of letting off a few rounds first. Maybe break it in a bit, and then try. But I hate to take a gun to the range that is already maybe not working properly.
Guess I'll be making a phone call tomorrow. Grrr. Why aren't all guns perfectly made like Sig's and H&K's???

 

[nero45acp]

Take it to the shop that you bought it from and calmly describe the problem with the PPK/S, and ask them if they can get the slide off and tell you what the problem is, if they can't or won't, then call this number (1-800-372-6454) to ship your pistol back to Walther USA. Good luck.


http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...1&storeId=10002&catalogId=13102&content=43307



nero

 

[denfoote]

Field stripping the PPK/S

I just pulled my PPK/S out and did the field strip thing.
I've had this gun apart numerous times!!
Guess what??
It did the same thing!!
So, I replaced the trigger guard to it's normal position, let the slide return and started over, only this time I pulled the slide back with more "emphasis" and lifted it off the frame in one swift motion.
Ahhh the sweet smell of success!!

 

[usp9]

This is a common complaint...do not worry! Do what denfoote suggested. After shooting the gun a bit the spring will compress and the takedown becomes much, much easier.

 

[jwh2]

Nivek wrote:
"Any thoughts or recommendations, before I take it back to the store, screaming??"

James replies:

I had the same problem. When I called S & W they gave me the anwer. The spring is so tight it requres a lot of force untill it is broken in. You need to use a fast, hard motion when pushing the slide back and then up. They described it to me as a "punching motion". Use the force you would to quicky punch someone. It worked for mine with no problem.

James

 

[rcmodel]

Eat your Wheaties for breakfast and then try it again.

Bet it comes off!

rcmodel

 

[KeithET]

Nivek,

I recently purchased a new S&W PPK which is essentially a PPK/s and can confirm that it takes a fair bit of effort to get the slide back far enough to lift it off of the frame. The recoil spring is under absolute full compression by the time you can lift the slide up and its seems like it will not go far enough. Just about the time you think its gone as far as it will go, pull a little harder and the slide should come right off. Once the slide lifts off be sure to hang on tight as the spring is trying hard to fling the slide back forward. Ease the slide forward slowly.

Let us know if you get it to come loose.

Keith

 

[Nivek]

OK, finally got the slide man-handled off the frame. Took a close look at the back end of the slide rails, and there was a bit of galling and metal burrs where the slide should have freely come off. I tried to put the slide back on and seemed to have just as much difficulty as removing it.
Broke out the dremel tool and VERY GENTLY ground down the galled portion of the slide rail at the back of the frame. (both left and right rails were damaged). I took maybe a 1/4 millimeter off the back end of each rail to smooth out the damaged portions, and then re-assembled the gun.
It now cycles much smoother than it did straight out of the box, and takedown and assembly does not result in sore fingers and swearing.

I did almost lose the spring for the slide catch lever though. When I got the slide off the first time, my thumb brushed the hold-open latch, and it popped right off. Thank God I was doing this on my kitchen counter and was able to find that spring!!

 

[makarovnik]

Pull the hammer back first before pulling the slide back to disassemble right?

 

[usp9]

Pull the hammer back first before pulling the slide back to disassemble right?

It doesn't matter, the hammer will be moved by the slide or your thumb either way. Cocking the hammer first does makes it a little easier to pull the slide back however.

I've heard of some people going to the extreme of shortening (cutting) the recoil spring to make take-down easier. Resist the urge. You really don't need to do anything. It's just a tight fit. If it went on, it will come off.