cleaned new toy......first time!

beretta96 · Oct 21, 2010

Well, I did it. Went to pick up my new to me Mark II stainless target. It looked very clean but figured I'll clean to know where I stand.

Read the manual then a few youtube clips and I was off........right up until the bolt wouldn't come out. Manual doesn't help there. Youtube cleared that up and all went very well right up until I had to put the mainspring back in. It took me about 15 minutes and four tries but I got it. Should be able to remember. I typically clean my toys after every shoot anyways.

I feared worse actually from what I've read, but from beginning to end including cleaning, lubing and inspecting I was only about an hour or so although the gun wasn't dirty.

Can't wait to try it!

Baldy · Oct 21, 2010

Doing it is the best experience you can get. Now go and have some fun. Let us know how things go for you. Good luck.

berettapistols · Oct 22, 2010

It's really all about knowing the difference between the hammer being cocked or not & were the hammer strut is when your putting the mainspring back in..
Usually pointing the gun toward the ceiling will move the strut away from the pin in the frame when tying to remove the bolt after the mainspring is removed..

Sounds like you got it figured out beretta96

beretta96 · Oct 22, 2010

Looking back, I should have looked up a parts list to realize what youtube is referring to when they mention hammer strut, or mainspring etc...

the instructions could be more clear with respect to bolt removal. Youtube ended up being the real lifesaver in this event.

Got her beat anyhow. Have to wait a couple more weeks to shoot, haven't received my ATT to transport to the new range yet. Government BS red tape is aggravating. How does a piece of paper make anyone feel safer when someone is transporting a firearm? (rant over)

BobbyS · Oct 22, 2010

In theory it is a very simple field strip; the problem seems to be in the newness of the pistol. The bolt stop pin isn’t simply pulled free, its ramped surface is asked to retract the recoil/rebound spring assembly while on its way down and out. So it’s good old muscle on a relatively un-ergonomic “handle” (housing latch).

Having to take a mallet to your brand new baby is not a feel good and there isn’t a real good way of persuading the latch in a straight downward direction. A towel rapped finger, muscle and grunting are what’s required (swearing is optional).

One thing I did find to make stop pin reassembly easier is if you retract the recoil spring assembly (using a small screwdriver) just slightly through the top hole in the receiver.

Till I bought my 22/45 the most soothing sound in the universe was the call of the Common Loon, now it’s “CLICK”. :wink: