Broken gun (loaded)

[Mickey]

My friend dropped his Rohrbaugh on a  tile floor. He removed the magazine, but there is still a round in the chamber. I checked the slide and it didn't appear damaged.I placed the edge of the slide on my wooden workbench to try to force the slide open. It does not budge.
 I thought it might be the pin that holds the slide on the frame, but I can't move the slide backward or forward.My only other opinion is that the recoil spring retainer broke forcing the pressure to the front and back of the slide (inside) so the slide cannot be removed. Any ideas? Besides sending it to a local gunsmith, there is no factory to send it to at this time.

Mickey

P.S. I know there is a maintenance forum, but I figured more members would see it here.

[tracker]

Hard to figure that one; the only time I haven't been able to move the slide on the frame is when the pin was not fully inserted. Not knowing the problem for sure I would just try reinserting the empty magazine and try again to move the slide back and punch out the pin if you are able.

Also, the pin could have been bent prior to the drop, impeding slide movement.

[backupr9]

I don't have a clue what happened, but remember you are now dealing with a loaded but damaged weapon that, since we don't know what happened to it internally, could potentially discharge at any time or with any minor jolt.  Please handle it as if it were a cocked and unlocked 1911.

[tracker]

Also, one might be tempted to fire it but if you got a light strike and the round were still in the chamber it could be doubly hazardous with the possibility of an unintentional discharge.

[Richard S]

Does the forward end of the recoil assembly still protrude slightly through the port beneath the barrel? If the pistol was dropped on its muzzle the blow may have forced the assembly back into the recess and be jamming the slide. Should that be the case, it might be possible to coax the assembly back into proper position with a brass punch and possibly a small piece of leather to provide friction for the tip of the punch.

I might also remove the grips and then the sear trigger bar with its spring in order to examine the underside of the slide more closely for any deformation that might be locking the slide to the frame.

It goes without saying that since the pistol has a live round chambered the greatest care must be taken in working with the piece.

[Mickey]

Thanks for the replies guys. Still trying to unlock the slide. I did pry the end of the recoil spring assembly forward .It does snap back into the frame. I will have to try removing the grips and check for any possible problems inside.

[Mickey]

Update: Thanks for the help guys. I soaked the gun overnight in a heavy coating of oil. This morning, I wiped it down and pushed the edge of the slide against my wooden work table. After several minutes, the slide moved about an 1/8". I pushed the slide down on a small piece of wood in the area between the slide and the recoil spring on the front of the gun. This allowed the slide to finally open up and eject the live round.
 Initial inspection did not reveal too much. It appeared to have a "Galled" left slide rail. I believe part of the problem was a carry gun with little or no lubrication.

[Richard S]

Congratulations on resolving the problem and for the report. With its tight tolerances, the R9 definitely needs to be kept lightly lubricated along the slide/frame interface.

[backupr9]

EEZOX is about the only lubricant I now use on my handguns...used properly if changes to a dry lube that lasts for months on my EDC and does not trap lint, dust or dirt (used in the Middle East conflicts I understand for just that reason).  You can blow pocket lint out of the barrel with compressed air and the barrel will again be spotless.  It is also easy to use and cleans, lubricates and protects all at once.