Can't get the pin out

[jarcher]

I finally tried to break down my R9s, but I can't get the pin to push through.  I am going from right to left, but it seems stuck.  Is there a trick, or do I need to push really hard?

[jarcher]

Yup, I needed to push harder.  Th epin looks the same on both ends. Does it matter which way it goes back in?

[jarcher]

Well, I got it apart and back together with only minor damage.  Not to the pistol, to my laptop.  As I was using a wrench to compress the recoil assembly, the grease caused the flange to slip off the wrench and launch the cap directly into my laptop screen    There is now a small blemish there to constantly remind me of my mistake  

Getting back to the pistol, I got it apart, except for the right grip panel.  I got the screws out fine, but could not get the panel itself off.  I didn't want to pry it as I hate to scratch a brand new gun.  Or any gun!

When I got the slide assembly apart, I saw things looked pretty dirty in there.  So I swabbed the barrel with M Pro7 and cleaned the breechface.  I also cleaned under the extractor and the groves in the slide that mate to the rails.  

Then I regreased everything with TW-25B and reassembled.  I called up the pictures here to make sure I got the spring on right, which is the mistake that caused the dent in the screen.

Apparently the pin is not tapered and I reinserted it with no trouble.  Not a very difficult process at all, actualy.  I just need to make sure I have a back stop next time.  

I found the answer to my "safety intercept notch" question.  When I had the R9 apart, I pushed the firing pin with a pen cap and saw it protrude through the other side.  Apparently, there is no firing pin block of any type.  Also, it seemed that the hammer sits right on the pin.  

I also see that the hammer is recessed a bit below the slide, so in theory dropping the pistol on it's back, on to a flat surface, would not force the hammer forward.  But if you drop it on to an uneven surface it is conceivable that the gun could discharge.  

This is just a theory, and I have no plan to test it.  I could be completely wrong.  There may be a passive safety I just missed.  I don't really know anything about the design of this pistol.  I hope someone else who is knowledgeable about the design can address that.

If I'm really lucky I'll have a few minutes to shoot it Monday, assuming the weather holds.  I'll report back after I do.

[TW]

>>And another new R9 owner makes it through his first take down and cleaning while questioning each step through constant jibbering to himself...  Well done jarcher...!  Welcome to the club...!  You just knew you could do it...!!  Now go shoot that thang...and enjoy...!...TW<<

[R9SCarry]

Jim - seems a useful voyage of discovery!!

I would not expect you to have to remove side panels actually - at least not for a std field strip.  I am trying to remember how i got mine off - just once.  IIRC I used something of a S&W method ... whereby I tapped on the grip panel and or frame - lightly with a soft mallet - hide or rubber, I forget which.

Once a portion begins to rise just a bit then a finger nail working around periphery can do the rest.  Certainly - NO leverage with anything metal!!!

Care too with that right panel ... tho there not many bits under it - things can and will fall out if care not taken.  Easier to dissassemble and reassemble when done piece at a time - rather than finding pieces spread around!

Another tip - thinking of your laptop screen (ouch!) ... it is well worth doing disassembly under a white sheet - draped over something ideally but otherwise just draped over your head.  If then there is an errant (and fast moving) spring escape or similar - it is contained and thus more retrievable!

When you do one day get right side panel off - you will I think be impressed at the simplicity of the trigger mechanism ... it is elegantly simple IMO.

[Wayne]

I remember trying to get the pin out as a rather trying experience, as well.  Nothing like a sweaty hand trying to keep the slide from moving.

. . . . And welcome to the ranks of those who have successfully launched the end cap!  

[Richard S]

As with so many other important things in life, field-stripping a Rohrbaugh for the first time "prob'ly ain't gonna be purty."  However, as with the most important of those things, it gets better with time and practice.

[R9SCarry]

Wayne sez ....

[size=13] welcome to the ranks of those who have successfully launched the end cap![/size]

hahaha! ROTFLMAO  

If you ain't done it - you don't qualify as a paid up R9 member LOL  

[jarcher]

I don't mind having launched the end cap so much as I mind that it crashed in to my laptop screen  

I needed a new laptop anyhow.  This one is getting slow as it ages.  Actually, the blemish is not so bad.

[Fud]

... Apparently, there is no firing pin block of any type.  Also, it seemed that the hammer sits right on the pin.  

I also see that the hammer is recessed a bit below the slide, so in theory dropping the pistol on it's back, on to a flat surface, would not force the hammer forward.  But if you drop it on to an uneven surface it is conceivable that the gun could discharge ...  

Is this true? I don't feel like struggling with taking the gun apart to check. Plus, I might not understand completely what I'm looking at. Can anyone OFFICIALLY confirm this one way or another?

[R9SCarry]

Alan - without wrestling with an unscheduled take-down I can't say for sure.  I will  tho next time in pieces see exactly what is what.  I do not thus far see this as any problem at all - mainly because - a drop onto hammer end of slide will only  make hammer inertially move a bit away from pin.

If dropped on muzzle I very much doubt there is enough mass in the hammer to impact pin remotely hard enough.

I'll check tho - and anyone else (Duane?) - who gets to look close first - do post.

[Michigunner]

Chris, have you heard any more information about firing pin behavior when the R9 is dropped?

Somewhere, I read about a successful drop test.

Bill

[Michigunner]

Sorry, I found additional information, using the Search

http://www.rohrbaughforum.com/YaBB.cgi?board=R9S;action=display;num=1096059461;start=6#6

[Michigunner]

Well, I still can't get a good understanding about the potential for discharge if the pistol is dropped.

Does anybody have any newer views about whether the firing pin could advance into the primer, if the R9 was dropped on either end?

I'm not complaining about anything.  Just trying to get the official word on this important matter.

Perhaps there is a drop test result somewhere, but can't seem to find it.

Bill

[R9SCarry]

Bill - I think the only way to get definitive info would be to call Rohrbaugh and see if maria can supply any info - or maybe Eric could let you know.  

I have no real info on this, tho I do think it'd take one heck of a drop to present any problem at all - other than marring an otherwise beautiful piece!!

I guess if this gun is to be sold in CA then a drop test has to be done - I am sure I am forgetting something I read or heard but - this old gray matter is not coming up with anything!