Ruger Rattles

[plateshooter]

I have a couple of Ruger P95 9mm handguns. One has developed a "rattle" when the slide is forward, and the hammer is cocked. There is a slight back to forward movement in the slide. It's not very much, and dosen't seem to affect accuracy (for shooting plates anyway). Any ideas what may have caused this, or a remedy for it?
Thanks for your replies.

 

[Black Snowman]

Im not familiar with the mechanics of the P95 specificly but it sounds like there's potential for serious trouble there. If it's not locking up solidly you have the potential for several problems. Firing out of battery, light strikes as the hammer is slowed by contact with the slide before striking the firing pin or unlocking too soon and causing a case failure.

It could be as simple as the spring wearing prematurely and not being long enough for the slide to be locked closed but it doesn't seem real likely. Has the gun been modified?

At any rate I'd get an armorer or smith familiar with those guns to take a good look at it, even if you have to send it back to Ruger for that to happen.

 

[plateshooter]

BSnowman, thanks for your reply. The barrel and slide lock up tight, it's the whole assembly that moves. It barely moves, just enough that if you shake the gun, you can hear it. With the hammer down, there is no movement due to the hammer pushing against the assembly. I agree with your assessment of the other problems that may occur. If I can't get a solution, It will have to go back to Ruger as you suggested.

Thanks

 

[Stasher1]

I've got a P90DC in the safe that does the same thing. I just figured it was a Ruger thing...

 

[plateshooter]

Stasher1
I just checked another P95, my P90, and my friends P89. You may be right,
My P90 still has spring pressure pushing the slide forward, but the others had that same minute movement. May just be a Ruger thing. I always considered the Ruger P series to be the AK47s of semi auto pistols and none of my AKs are all that tight either. However, both are very reliable with anything I feed them. Thanks for your reply.

 

[Black Snowman]

As long as it's locking up solid you should be OK. Could be some play in the mechanism that links the barrel and slide assembly with the frame. I think it's a slide stop pin like on most autos and there might be some wear in there. Doubt it would fail if that's what's happening but like I said, I'm not familiar with the specifics of the Rugers.

 

[Jim K]

If it doesn't rattle with the hammer down, are you sure it is not the firing pin?

Jim

 

[plateshooter]

Jim, the whole barrel and slide assembly is what's moving on the polymer frame. It may be in the design. It only moves enough to let it make a bit of a rattle, and the barrel is locked up tight with the frame. It may not be any problem, as the gun shoots and operates quite well. I just thought I would check and see if anyone else noticed this on this particular model.
Thanks for your reply.