Pliers??

[Maineiac]

Lurking and reading while waiting. Manual shows someone actually using Channel Lock pliers on a recoil master. There's gotta be a better way. If anyone sees me using Channel Lock pliers on any of my guns especially a R9,would you please swat me upside the head with a 2x4.
Does anyone use some type of coil removal tool. Maybe something along the lines that STI uses to depress and reinstall their recoil spring??

[robertd]

My mouth is not the prayer book, but the pliers help my 63 year old hands. As pointed out else where, the 10" pliers open to the perfect width to compress the coil. The tips of the channel locks have no serrations and do not scar the washer or the cap. Some reccomend a leather piece of protection but I have found the pressure required to be so gentle, that such is not needed. Reassembly is, now, a pleasure.

[Tangmu]

I was worried about leaving marks, too.  I put a piece of electrical tape across the plier jaws.  Like robertd said, it takes a pretty small amount of pressure to compress the spring with the pliers, and it didn't leave any sort of marks.

[CaptBW]

Research this forum for the RJ tool.

[Maineiac]

Thanks CaptB
                  Got a tool on the way from IDM. Looks like it might do the job witout using Channel Locks. Now all I need is the R9 to take apart.

[DTM_39]

Maineiac,  Forget the pliers.  Hold slide upside down left hand. Line up recoil assembly with right hand.  Compress recoil assembly, guide rod will go through hole in front of slide.  Slide barrel under recoil assembly and slowly decompress.  Its very simple and doesn't require any tools.  I didn't come up with this method somebody here on the forum did.  I can't remember who.  However it works like a charm.  Good Luck with your new R-9.  Dan

[Richard S]

Fearing that I would somehow damage the finish or one part or another, I also have never been willing to take a pair of pliers or vicegrips to my R9. For the first few times I field stripped my R9 after taking of it in May 2004, I would enlist the help of my wife to provide a well-manicured third hand during its reassembly. While she was perfectly willing to assist me in this endeavor, I found it to be slightly detrimental to the "macho" image I have always attempted to project when in her presence. So . . . I started collecting various after-market tools for the purpose:

http://www.rohrbaughforum.com/YaBB.cgi?board=Cleaning;action=display;num=1165943631

Now, I often find myself field stripping and cleaning my R9 just to pass the time while watching satellite television up at the cabin and usually employ the technique Dan describes. Even so, I'll still use the Bedair and Hedley compression tools if they're readily at hand.  

The bottom line is that the entire process becomes easier each time you do it . . . just like the "1911 time trials" in which we used to engage "back in the day".    

[Maineiac]

Thanks Fellows
                  I'll use those tips except the Bedair tools. Not on his site any more. Neither are his tungsten guide rods..What a difference one of those makes.