Need a P series expert please

[gatorhugger]

Just got another p93 and it has me stumped. The barrel link is different than the other ones I have owned. It's an early p93 made in 1995.
The link is shaped different and also the recoil rod has a tip on it.

What is the story on this? Did the first couple of years have recoil rods with tips? Well obviously they did, but why? Why did Ruger change?
Is one design more reliable or was it a cost saving manufacturing change.
The gun also will leave the hammer cocked when racking the slide and no magazine.
All my other p93's do not leave the hammer cocked when racking the slide with no magazine inserted.
So there must have been a slight design change around 1996?

Any help is greatly appreciated, about to order a new rod/spring assembly and want to know what I am doing and ordering.

 

[Flash]

Not an expert by any means but Ruger did change their guide rods on several P series guns. It's anyone's guess as to why.
It soulds like the mag disconnect has been played with or removed. It should be under the rear sight.

 

[P94/GP100]

Ruger has gone through innumerable incrimental improvements on the P-Series pistols, most unannounced. Your link and recoil spring guide appear to be indicative of them.

It's not unnecessarily unusual on a metal-frame P-Series gun for the hammer to remain to the rear if the slide is not reciprocated with sufficient velocity. A good test is to place the gun at slidelock, and release the slide using the slide release lever, as opposed to tugging on the slide itself (which tends to rob the slide of necessary velocity if not done correctly). Try this both with and without a magazine in place.

Then go to the range and see how the gun performs under live fire. I suspect that the problem will not appear-but if it does, then it's probably time to make a call to Ruger and ship the gun to them for examination.

Best, Jon

 

[gatorhugger]

No I experienced no issues with fresh ammo. With reloads I was getting some FTF, but I have got those same FTF with the new p95 I was shooting as well.
Must be the ammo.
The slide doesn't feel like it comes forward with the same velocity as my other 93's, but I think that's because the hammer is staying back on it on the new gun.
On my other 93's the hammer is going rearward, and then the hammer spring is also "helping" the slide rocket forward as both slide and hammer come forward.
But no issues, so I guess nothing to worry about.
Just wondering why one has a tit and my others dont
Seems like the tit is designed to hold the link in place.
Where the flat recoil rod makes no contact with the link.
What that accomplishes, I have no idea.

 

[Al James]

Gator, I noticed this difference on some P's a while ago and my first thought was they added the tit in order for it to only be reassembled one way. Whereas with the flat faced version the end user could try to reassemble the gun with the link in different positions [up or down] and with the rods flat resting on the two different ledges on the barrel. The gun will only assemble one way and the later tit version makes that more probable. Hard to explain and just a thought I once had on the same subject. A call to Ruger may answer when they changed the design and why. Also they will know what the most current one is.

As for the hammer not staying back with out the mag in place that should only be affected by the ejectors position. Ejector down for disassembly=hammer will not stay in cocked position. Ejector up in normal firing mode will allow hammer to remain cocked regardless of whether a mag is in place. Hope this helps!

And BTW Flash-no P series pistols have magazine disconnects except the P345.

 

[P94/GP100]

Since the gun was obtained used, and you probably don't have the details as to how it was used and/or it's round count, a prudent (and inexpensive) precaution would be to immediately replace your recoil spring and magazine springs, and then see what, if any problems remain.

Best, Jon

 

[gatorhugger]

Since the gun was obtained used, and you probably don't have the details as to how it was used and/or it's round count, a prudent (and inexpensive) precaution would be to immediately replace your recoil spring and magazine springs, and then see what, if any problems remain.

Best, Jon

Smart move and I am looking for a recoil spring/rod assembly now.
I got plenty of mag springs.

Al was correct about the hammer staying back, that was simply of the ejector being down.
So no issue there.
That is why I like My ruger forum, lots of experience.

But the recoil spring definitely doesn't slide forward with the velocity of my other P guns. It always goes forward but doesn't slam like my other guns.
It looks like the recoil springs/rod are one peice so I have to find one that fits.
I went to Brownell and they list a rod/spring assembly "with tip" but the picture shows one without a tip. Yikes.
So looks like it's a call to Ruger tomorrow to get a correct one.
Thanks everyone, I get a new spring and I think I am all set!

 

[Al James]

Gator, I would shoot the 93 with the factory ammo that works in your other 93's to determine if you are having functioning issues. You mention that the slide does not return to battery "with the velocity" of your other P guns. Is this during actual firing or on a DRY/empty chamber hand released by the slide stop or slingshot with no mag in place?

 

[toysoldier]

My P90DC, serial #562-47xxx, has a recoil spring guide with tit. A "parts kit" slide and barrel assembly from a P90 safety model that I purchased has a flat recoil spring guide, and slightly different link. I just make sure I don't disassemble them both at the same time, so as not to mix up parts. They both work on my frame.

 

[gatorhugger]

Gator, I would shoot the 93 with the factory ammo that works in your other 93's to determine if you are having functioning issues. You mention that the slide does not return to battery "with the velocity" of your other P guns. Is this during actual firing or on a DRY/empty chamber hand released by the slide stop or slingshot with no mag in place?

It's when I hand cycle the slide. I hold the gun vertical then let the slide go riding it a bit to see if its closing against gravity
My other ones just forcefully close, snaps hard .
This new gun slide does completely close, but it with much less velocity.
So far, no troubles with the gun, just a couple of jams on reloads.
Think I will try to put forth another 200 rounds and see what happens.
If no jams I will not mess with it.

 

[Al James]

Gator, I would shoot the 93 with the factory ammo that works in your other 93's to determine if you are having functioning issues. You mention that the slide does not return to battery "with the velocity" of your other P guns. Is this during actual firing or on a DRY/empty chamber hand released by the slide stop or slingshot with no mag in place?

So far, no troubles with the gun, just a couple of jams on reloads.
Think I will try to put forth another 200 rounds and see what happens.
If no jams I will not mess with it.

Good plan. Enjoy those beauties, Wheres the latest family photo? P93Hugger. :wink:

 

[gatorhugger]

Well that's it, I am ordering a new spring and rod.
It works fine as long as the chamber is not dirty.
Once it gets dirty, the slide just doesn't have enough "oomp" to push a
bullet into a dirty chamber. Randomly it does it.
I shot 100 rounds, no problems. On the next box, with a dirty gun, I inserted a new mag and tried to slingshot a round in and it gets hung up.
Pretty bad it has a failure to feed when manually trying to rack the slide.
Then it would hang ever other round while shooting. Bullets trying to go into the chamber but not quite making it.
Seems like a weak recoil spring.
Calling Ruger.

 

[gatorhugger]

ok now I really need some help.
The recoil rod with the tip is "obsolete" says ruger customer service.
They have the springs and the retaining collar however.
So I ordered 3 springs and 3 collars. I will have to use my existing recoil rod.
Anybody have a clue how to take apart a Recoil rod collar to replace
the springs?

 

[P94/GP100]

Or you could go with the new link...

Best, Jon

 

[gatorhugger]

Or you could go with the new link...

Best, Jon

Jon, we are thinking alike, I thought about that as well, just upgrade with a whole new link.
Then I could buy the entire newer flat rod assembly.

I figured I would first give it a shot just replacing the recoil spring.
If replacing just the springs can be done. I mean it's got to be possible right?
They had to get the springs on the rod somehow, and Ruger sells the springs seperately.
Please someone tell me I didn't just waste $21 on new recoil springs that cannot be installed.

 

[gatorhugger]

I tried to get that collar off the recoil rod to replace the recoil spring.
No luck.
So when my new springs get here, I am going to ship the new springs, and the barrel back to Ruger.
Then beg them update it with the newer link and a new flat end recoil rod.

Uggh. I hate for my guns to be in the shop.

 

[berettapistols]

Some of those springs can sometimes be twisted on & off by opening the end of the coil & spinning it..
Good Luck!!

 

[gb6491]

I tried to get that collar off the recoil rod to replace the recoil spring.
No luck.
So when my new springs get here, I am going to ship the new springs, and the barrel back to Ruger.
Then beg them update it with the newer link and a new flat end recoil rod.

Uggh. I hate for my guns to be in the shop.

Is there a split ring on the collar or the barrel in front of it (ala the P95)
If so, you'll need to remove it to get the collar off.
Regards,
Greg

 

[gatorhugger]

I don't see a split ring. Just a black collar. Maybe it goes on one way and doesn't come off, maybe it has to be broken to come off.
I give up.
Anyway, I would rather have the newer recoil rod so all my guns match, so I will just send it back to ruger and beg for mercy.
They probably will hook me up with a new barrel link and the newer flat ended recoil rod.
Usually they are good bout stuff like that.
But thanks for all the suggestions, I'll give an update once it's operational again.