What do you ask the gunsmith to do with safety that has tighen so bad my senior thumbs can't move it?

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blueline1970
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Joined: August 17th, 2017, 12:24 pm

What do you ask the gunsmith to do with safety that has tighen so bad my senior thumbs can't move it?

Post by blueline1970 »

I just finished replacing the springs (recoil and hammer) with the muscle work by my son. Now I can't push the safety up with both thumbs. I am trying to make this weapon something I can wear concealed. The single action is great now, DA is way better than when I bought it. I am getting frustrated due to the reluctance to do any grinding on the "Youtube" videos of the "peening" which I don't understand by what is presented. I am beginning if my P64 is supposed to be a museum piece. If anyone can help with information I would sure appreciate it.
Blueline
OG17
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Re: What do you ask the gunsmith to do with safety that has tighen so bad my senior thumbs can't move it?

Post by OG17 »

Was it working as it should before you replaced the hammer spring? If so, then the problem may be with the disconnector, sear, hammer & hammer strut. Make sure that the parts are aligned/installed as the should be. One way of checking is to take off the slide (hammer needs to be cocked) and then push down on the disconnector (with your finger or some object) to release the hammer to its decocked position. Make sure the hammer doesn't bite you on the release. If it takes a lot of pressure then the problem is there. You would need to take it apart again and reinstall the hammer spring/hammer strut making sure all parts are installed/aligned as they should be. If it goes down relatively easy then the issue could be with the safety components but it would be a moot point if you didn't mess with it. Another thought is that may be the grips are screwed in too tight and it's affecting the components.

This file will help with the parts.

http://p64resource.com/board/P64_Assembly_Manual.pdf

Good luck
blueline1970
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Joined: August 17th, 2017, 12:24 pm

Re: What do you ask the gunsmith to do with safety that has tighen so bad my senior thumbs can't move it?

Post by blueline1970 »

Thanks OG17 I will make sure its none of what you mentioned. It worked hard prior to the spring change already. I seemed to get harder as I tried to put it on and off. Its like its rubbing as it turns. I still wonder about this notorious "peening"?
Ketchman
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Re: What do you ask the gunsmith to do with safety that has tighen so bad my senior thumbs can't move it?

Post by Ketchman »

Is this gun new to you or have you had it awhile. If it is new to you and it worked hard before, it is possible some dried up cosmoline or old dried up gun oil got dislodged during the spring swap.and is now blocking movement of the safety. Try some Action Blaster in the area of the safety barrel.while the slide is off the frame. Do not get this on the grips, it may cause them to lighten / spot some. Anyway, shoot some of the Action Blaster in there, wait till it dries, do it a.couple.more times and then see if there is easier movement. If so, soak your slide assembly in solvent for a couple hours, brush all the nooks and crannies clean, lube all moving areas and reassemble and see if it is easier to use. Dried Cosmoline is notorious for causing all kinds of malfunctions.
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OG17
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Re: What do you ask the gunsmith to do with safety that has tighen so bad my senior thumbs can't move it?

Post by OG17 »

+1 Ketch. My thinking exactly. If it's that tight you may need to disassemble the safety unit to get all the gunk out and clean up any burrs that may be present. Soaking it in mineral spirits worked for me to get the cosmoline and gunk off my Bulgarian Makarov. Gun Scrubber is also a good product.
Ketchman
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Re: What do you ask the gunsmith to do with safety that has tighen so bad my senior thumbs can't move it?

Post by Ketchman »

Hell, soaking it for 2 hours in mineral spirits / solvent won't hurt it at all so just do it anyway whether it helps the safety or not. A gun this age that is milsurp most likely needs it anyway just cause.
Last edited by Ketchman on September 4th, 2017, 10:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Close enough for Government work will get you dead, ask any Vet.
xcc_rider
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Re: What do you ask the gunsmith to do with safety that has tighen so bad my senior thumbs can't move it?

Post by xcc_rider »

There are some threads in the mods section re: reshaping the head of the safety detent pin and the detent notch on the safety itself to make it easier to use. I bought my P64 and about a month later the safety froze up just like yours. I was afraid of breaking the tab off because I couldn't get it to budget using two thumbs.

I followed the instructions and also found some rust in the detent pin/spring hole in the frame which I cleaned out and oiled.
After the mods and oiling the safety works real nice.

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Jaggery77
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Re: What do you ask the gunsmith to do with safety that has tighen so bad my senior thumbs can't move it?

Post by Jaggery77 »

I agree with xcc_rider. I worked mine. It was't locked up when I picked it out at a gun show, but I definitely had to work with it just like rider was saying. Send the slide to me if you need help haha I'm a restoration junky. hope the others advise gets you an enjoyable, usable and safe safety for your p64. They are such a great piece to own!!
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