Trouble with recoil spring

[Ratzo]

Why is it I cannot get the Gun back together, The problem is I put the barrel back into the slide and when I try to put the recoil Spring in it will not allow me to push it in and lock it unto the barrel. The Recoil spring is together like it should be,it won't allow me to alien it up, the sleeve is locking it up.
anyone know what I am doing wrong. This is the first Time this Gun has been apart. Everything is by the Book, just can't seem to alien it up to enter the Hole on the slide.

[tracker]

Have you double checked that your recoil spring is
not in backwards?

[Ratzo]

Recoil spring is in the right way, Pig tail inside the sleeve, it came apart OK but, when you lay it along side the barrel  it is at a angle and you cannot push it into the hole at the front of the slide, when you put it against the hole the lip of the recoil Rod seems like it is to long to fit against the lip of the barrell and there is no give, it seems to be locking up in the Cup and will not push through?

[Ratzo]

Found the Problem, Bent spring causing problem, replaced.

[Ratzo]

Back to Square one, we thought we had the problem fixed, but its the same thing again? The Pig tail is in the cup the right way all assembled but like I said when you try to install the rod it will not push through and sometimes the Pig tail goes out the hole, does not want to catch the lip of the cup.

The Recoil spring Rod came out easy, but will not go back.

Hard to explain on the internet.

[sharp]

Ratzo,
I had the same problem; but after some wiggling it finally popped into place.  I think cause of the very tight tolerances, this is a difficult task.  Don't force it, just give it a little wiggle !
Jeff

[Ratzo]

Sharp

Thanks for your reply, I talked with Eric, and your right, just takes a little getting used to.

Fired the gun yesterday, approx 50 rounds, not one problem,
the gun did exactly what I was told it would do.

Used Speer Gold Dot 115 gr.

[justin2992]

I've always put the recoil assembly on the slide first, then compress it enought to slide the barrel under it.  It works everytime, really easy that way.

[bigdave]

I found that using a locking pliers to compress the recoil spring makes reinsertion of the recoil system much easier.  Some one posted a picture on the FAQ under Recoil Spring NoNo's.

[sharp]

I've always put the recoil assembly on the slide first, then compress it enought to slide the barrel under it.  It works everytime, really easy that way.

Justin,
I never thought of that!!........sounds like it'd work though.  Will try it next time.  

[shooterjb]

I put the recoil spring in first, compress it and slide the barrel under it the way Justin described and it always works very well for me.

Frank

[PCA]

Thank you for this thread. I don't have my R9S yet but when I do I will be referring to these recommendations.
I am "reassembly challenged".
The reason I love Glocks and Sigs is because of the ease of disassembly and reassembly. Much as I love the 1911, the small versions I had were impossible for me to get back together and I became the butt of jokes from shooting buddies. Sold 'em.
Worrying about reassembly, though, does not take away my enthusiasm for getting the R9. Then I can bitch for real.

[TW]

>>PCA...

What you do with your dog is your business, but...hmmmm...

I can relate to your issues of being re-assembly challanged, however - if I can do it - so can you...with time.  Thing is...I have to re-learn each time I do it...which is ok because I have this forum to refer to...!  Don't you wish there had been a smallish and friendly 1911 forum when you had those guns...?...!  Fortunately I have a good friend or two who won't roast me every time I ask for their help...wouldn't be so bad if all 1911s re-assembled the same...!  At least for now there is only one type of R9 to figure on...and it does get easier each time you do it.  And as you said - the R9 would be worth it even if it remained a pain...!...TW<<

[PCA]

TW,
Thank you for your comments. The expression "pregnant dog" was not my language. I used a single word and was censored by the adminstrator. Sent him an e-mail and he did not give me the courtesy of a reply.
The 1911 I had difficulty with, at first, was the Colt Officer's Model. However, nothing prepared me for the little Colt Defender. I actually had to have a gunsmith alter the frame for that one.
I have kept historic Colt 1911s that I own but my "go to" .45 is my Glock 36 which disassembles easily.
My understanding is that small guns have always had problems, (whether Beretta, NAA or Seecamp) and there is nothing that will dissuade my positive anticipation of the R9.

[BillinPittsburgh]

Small guns often have problems because:

1)  As GeorgeH has put it, it is easier to build a clock than a watch.

2)  Few companies even make the attempt for reason #1.

3)  Most companies that do make the attempt focus more on keeping price down than keeping quality, reliability, accuracy, and durability up.  The only ones I know of that really focus on quality are Rohrbaugh, North American Arms, and Seecamp, not suprisingly companies that focus solely on pocket guns.  A good case could be made for Kel-Tec, which although inexpensive and with variable QC, can be made into quite a gem with the right parts substitutions and customizing.

4)  We now have .32, .380, and even 9mm guns that are the same size as or not much bigger than .22 and .25 autos of the past.  The innovators are really pushing the power/weight ratio into uncharted territory.