Para Carry 9 firing pin problem

[okonokos]

I have a para ordnance carry 9 in 9mm. I was shooting it today and it started malfunctioning. What I discovered was the firing pin protruding about 1/2 inch into the chamber. The gun has a series 80 plunger type safety, it is a DAO pistol. What appears to be happening is the firing pin (even when dry firing) is getting hung about the same place as it is when you disassemble the firing pin assembly to replace the extractor/extractor rod. For instance, when you depress the plunger to press the firing pin in, and then release the plunger the pin is locked in the down position (protruding into the chamber) until you remove the plate holding the firing pin in and depress the plunger again. This is happening while firing/dry firing. If I press on the extractor rod sometimes it releases and the pin snaps back to where it is supposed to be. Any ideas what is causing the plunger to be depressed to allow the firing pin to make it past where it's supposed to be and then keeping it there?!? Oye vey! Thanks in advance, any ideas would be appreciated!