Odd problem with Keltec P-32

[Master Blaster]

About 150 rounds ago (now up to 900 rounds)I was practicing with my Keltec p-32, I noticed that the slide stop was not working, it would lock the slide back on the last round, but it would not release when I went to chamber a fresh round from a full mag. I had to press on the ejector to release it and chambe the round. (The ejector and slide stop are one piece) The gun function fine for three more practice sessions after that, fired extracted ejected, except the problem persisted, and I continued to press the ejector to release the slide. I just thought it was some crud.

Last night I decided to examine it carefully, and I discovered the problem, the ejector/stop spring bottom leg had gotten under the ejector/stop.
I used a screw driver and a dental pick to reposition the spring leg on top of the ejector/stop. The gun is fine now.

Has anyone else had this problem? I think it could have happened durring a previous dissassembly since the stop pin should prevent it from happening during firing.

Keep pressure on the side of the frame while removing the pin or this could happen to you.

The good news is that the gun kept firing and cycling fine for another 150 rounds even with the displaced pin.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Just got mine tonight. Probably going to the range tomorrow. Thanks for the info.

 

[firestar]

I have heard of many problems with the slide stop on these guns, I think that is one reason the new P3-AT doesn't have one. Never had a problem with mine until about round #400, it now won't lock the slide back about 20% of the time. I don't care, I wouldn't mind if it was compleatly removed as I don't carry a spare mag anyway.

If you are having problems with it, I would just yank that sucker out, you don't need it and it may cause problems.

 

[Master Blaster]

Is the side of the reciever cover/ grip proturding slightly beyond the slide, does the ejector move freely up when you have the slide off, or is it stuck and you have to move it up and down with your finger?

If so You have the same problem I did. It is an easy fix.

I think this happens when you pull out the dissassembly pin/barrel pivot pin without keeping pressure on the side of the receiver cover next to it, that allows the cover and the ejector to pull away from the reciever far enough for the spring to slip behind the ejector.



This is not a firing related problem. I agree though that a fixed ejector would be better.

Will the P3at have a fixed ejector?

 

[yzguy]

for others that may not be clear on how all this fits together here are some dis/re-assembly instructions that show pics of all of this:http://www.1bad69.com/keltec/disassembly.htm

some more specific stuff about premature slide lock:
http://www.1bad69.com/keltec/slidelock.htm

also there was an upgraded part (the slide stop/ejector) for the P-32. The new one has a grove in it to hold the spring in. Here is a pic of an old one next to a new one with the grove it in:


if you have the old one, call KT, tell them you had a problem with the spring falling off of the slide stop and you would like a new one with the groove in it, I believe they will send you a new one for free.

 

[Master Blaster]

Thank you very much yzguy that is great.

I also really like your page on disassembly, I bookmarked it on my PC!!!!