The Rohrbaugh Forum

Rohrbaugh Products and Accessories => Cleaning and Maintenance of the R-9 => Topic started by: kevinqjhps on March 29, 2017, 04:56:50 PM

Title: Sticking/hard to move slide
Post by: kevinqjhps on March 29, 2017, 04:56:50 PM
I have two R9's. Both are flawless but one has a slide so stiff you can't pull it back with the serrations, you must grab the front of the slide and FORCE it open. Once loaded it is accurate and flawless.

Any ideas on the problem? I can PROBABLY get it apart to clean and replace recoil spring but any hints? Thanks

kevinqjhps
Title: Re: Sticking/hard to move slide
Post by: tracker on March 29, 2017, 05:29:56 PM
Yes; buy some 1200 grit silicon carbide valve lapping compound. Put some on the slide rails and work it on the frame until you have a slide to frame fit that isn't so tight.
Title: Re: Sticking/hard to move slide
Post by: PhilZ on March 29, 2017, 06:06:09 PM
Loctite makes 1200 grit

https://www.ezbore.net/1200-Grit-x-Compound-p/cem2612.htm (https://www.ezbore.net/1200-Grit-x-Compound-p/cem2612.htm)
Title: Re: Sticking/hard to move slide
Post by: offrdmania on March 29, 2017, 07:04:49 PM
I kind of think that it isnt a tight slide. It would have never left Erics hands at the factory if the fit was that tight. Sounds like something is hanging up internally. Maybe something broke internally which has lodged somewhere not allowing the slide to move. I would remove the slide, pull out the barrel and recoil assembly. Then I would check for obstructions on the slide and on the frame rails. I would then slide the stripped slide back on the frame and see if it moves freely. Then give us and update
Title: Re: Sticking/hard to move slide
Post by: tracker on March 29, 2017, 07:14:04 PM
We'll see but I disagree with your guess that there is an internal blockage.
Title: Re: Sticking/hard to move slide
Post by: kevinqjhps on March 29, 2017, 07:26:29 PM
The funny thing is once loaded it fires every time. IF I can get it apart I will address the slide rails, if there is a issue it should be visually obvious with a shiny spot or a knick. It may also just be dirty as heck.

I may be wrong but if it was a frame issue that SHOULDN'T make the slide hard too move should it? I am just a confused man asking.



kevinqjhps


p.s. This is the FIRST G-broker firearm I have ever had issues with. Guess I was due BUT like my old business partner once said " men put it together, men can take it apart and fix it."
Title: Re: Sticking/hard to move slide
Post by: tracker on March 29, 2017, 07:34:26 PM
All I am saying is that the gun can fire with a tight slide to frame fit but it may be difficult to cycle by hand. The slide to frame fit could have easily left the factory in this condition without a blemish or flaw. I have some background on this discussion and it is worth eliminating this as an issue before getting wrapped around the axle on an internal problem possibility.
Title: Re: Sticking/hard to move slide
Post by: offrdmania on March 29, 2017, 08:02:58 PM
We'll see but I disagree with your guess that there is an internal blockage.

Im just trying to get him to go through the process of elimination. If it is still tight with the barrel and recoil assembly removed then its one less thing to factor in
Title: Re: Sticking/hard to move slide
Post by: kevinqjhps on March 29, 2017, 08:11:43 PM
Once the slide is off I should be able to tell if it moves freely of the barrel, and guide rod assy. It SHOULS slide freely back and forth.
Title: Re: Sticking/hard to move slide
Post by: tracker on March 29, 2017, 09:07:07 PM
I don't understand this statement but good luck.
Title: Re: Sticking/hard to move slide
Post by: kevinqjhps on March 30, 2017, 07:28:50 AM
I don't understand this statement but good luck.




IF I can get the slide off, and strip it down, it should slide freely on the frame rails. Removing the guide rod, barrel, and recoil sprig from the slide would remove one possibility.

With any mechanical you MUST start with one point at a time. If that turns out OK go to step two. At this point I am THINKING broken, or wrong recoil spring, or maybe bent guide rod. 

It functions 100% and the trigger pull is,  according to my Timney Gauge the same as my good one.

It is just the darn slide won't move enough to come off. 
Title: Re: Sticking/hard to move slide
Post by: DDGator on March 30, 2017, 07:59:47 AM

I would perhaps wait on input from ECR before doing anything too drastic.

Title: Re: Sticking/hard to move slide
Post by: offrdmania on March 30, 2017, 10:11:02 AM
I don't understand this statement but good luck.




IF I can get the slide off, and strip it down, it should slide freely on the frame rails. Removing the guide rod, barrel, and recoil sprig from the slide would remove one possibility.

With any mechanical you MUST start with one point at a time. If that turns out OK go to step two. At this point I am THINKING broken, or wrong recoil spring, or maybe bent guide rod. 

It functions 100% and the trigger pull is,  according to my Timney Gauge the same as my good one.

It is just the darn slide won't move enough to come off.

Exactly, just lapping the slide is only a band aid and hiding a possible internal issue
Title: Re: Sticking/hard to move slide
Post by: kevinqjhps on March 30, 2017, 11:55:34 AM

I would perhaps wait on input from ECR before doing anything too drastic.



Good sound advice Duane. I am sure he will check in.


kevinqjhps
Title: Re: Sticking/hard to move slide
Post by: backupr9 on March 31, 2017, 02:57:48 PM
I would imagine that anything that actually impeded movement of the slide would throw off the timing of the cycle (extraction, ejection, feeding) and cause failures to feed or eject similar to what has occurred a few times when the firing pin retainer is out of spec and abuts the slide.  Since yours fires and functions normally, interference with the slide would seem less likely.  Eric will likely weigh in soon.
Title: Re: Sticking/hard to move slide
Post by: tracker on March 31, 2017, 03:29:22 PM
My thoughts exactly and it is very possible that it left the factory with a tight slide fit that would otherwise fire normally.
Title: Re: Sticking/hard to move slide
Post by: kevinqjhps on March 31, 2017, 05:08:50 PM
My thoughts exactly and it is very possible that it left the factory with a tight slide fit that would otherwise fire normally.


Don't think I would agree with that. Eric was the ONLY one who built these, unlike Kel Tec's, and if there wasANY issues he would have addressed it. I will get it apart this week and am sure it is a recoil spring, guide rod, or someone MAY have dropped the frame on a concrete surface enough to throw it off a bit.

Once apart I will lap the slide/rails and use a straight edge on them. Time will tell. 
Title: Re: Sticking/hard to move slide
Post by: tracker on March 31, 2017, 05:28:15 PM
You had probably rather not but you could send it to Alex at William's Gunsight to look at it.
Title: Re: Sticking/hard to move slide
Post by: kevinqjhps on March 31, 2017, 05:32:23 PM
You had probably rather not but you could send it to Alex at William's Gunsight to look at it.



IF I can't fix it I surely will.
Title: Re: Sticking/hard to move slide
Post by: ECR on March 31, 2017, 06:36:21 PM
Hey Guys, sorry but I'm just reading this now, along with a PM to me from Kevin (who, after speaking with him on the phone last Saturday, is a very cool guy by the way).  ;-)

Anyway, hmmmmm . . . . . . (thinking going on in this space). . . . . . I remember something like that happening on just a couple of R9s through the years and it was something minor and an easy fix, even by the owner in the field. Hey Kevin. . . . If you can remove the slide, I'd like to see if you could possibly take a look at the recessed area of the frame where the barrel lug slides back and forth in. We had an issue, for some unforeseen reason, where a burr would build up there from a "stacking of the tolerances" of the barrel / barrel pin / to frame fit and this caused a burr to slow down the action ever so slightly in a manner similar to what you describe here. The fix was very easy. . . . Take a small fine file and remove the burr, which was located in that recessed area of the frame. Simple fix really. With the slide and barrel removed, you have direct access to that area unihbited from the front of the frame and take smooth short strokes to flatten that area out where the barrel rides in. If you can get the slide off and take and post a few photographs, that would even be better. Let me know what you find good Sir. Get back to us when you can. . . . . People waiting to help you here. . . We’ll get that taken care of, "no biggie".

Regards,

Eric R. 
Title: Re: Sticking/hard to move slide
Post by: kevinqjhps on April 01, 2017, 07:51:20 AM
Got slide off. Being smarter than stronger figured I put a 1/16th allen wrench in the open position. I then positioned the small take down hole over it. With a pair of heave leather gloves I got the slide to move enough to line up. It popped out in seconds.

Eric was right.There is a small issue with the rear of the frame rail, bright worn spot, so I will take his advice and attempt to dig out my old machinist files and hit the high spot. I think I will also take Trackers advice and use some valve grinding compound to smooth the rails slick.

Inside it was as dry as King Tut's bones. Looks like it was never cleaned or lubed.

Thanks for all the input and ideas. Collectively that's what makes this such a great site.

Kevin   
Title: Re: Sticking/hard to move slide
Post by: ECR on April 15, 2017, 11:11:26 AM
Good to hear this Kevin. . . . . .  ::)  . . . . Now get to work man!   Ha haa . . . . .   ;D