Need help with my P-345

[buckshotshorty]

I went to load my P-345 with some 185 Gr. cast semi-wadcutters. First round went almost all the way home, but failed to go all the way in to battery. Now my slide is totally locked up; won't go forward, backward at all with a live round in the chamber.

Any ideas on how to clear this?

 

[slippingaway]

Set a towel on a sturdy surface, and set the muzzle on the towel so that the barrel is off the edge, and just the area above the barrel is on the surface. Use your palm or a rubber mallet just below the slide on the top of the backstrap to try and tap things loose. I'd drop the magazine before any of this, and keep fingers and anything else away from the trigger.

I've never had this problem before, that's just what I'd try if I did.

 

[buckshotshorty]

Set a towel on a sturdy surface, and set the muzzle on the towel so that the barrel is off the edge, and just the area above the barrel is on the surface. Use your palm or a rubber mallet just below the slide on the top of the backstrap to try and tap things loose. I'd drop the magazine before any of this, and keep fingers and anything else away from the trigger.

I've never had this problem before, that's just what I'd try if I did.

I tried that; trouble is the shape of the muzzle is such, it's almost impossible to push down without grabbing the barrel also.

 

[slippingaway]

Do you have access to a bench vice? You could pad the jaws with some sheet rubber or something like that, and use it to hold the slide.

 

[Mike J]

deleted double post

 

[Mike J]

I did what Slippingaway suggested first once when I got a Keltec P-11 locked up due to my incorrect assembly. Pushed it against a 2"x4" on the bottom of my target stand. The vice seems like a good idea though I have never done it that way.

 

[glockmutt]

Sometimes an oversize case, especially with a cast bullet, can jam things up. Main reason I always use Lee crimp/sizer dies on all my reloads. When it has happened to me I would grasp the top of the slide with my non firing hand. All the while keeping the weapon pointed downrange and any fingers away from the muzzle, of course. Then I would slap the frame from the rear in a sharp forward motion with the other hand. Usually once or twice would free the transgressing cartridge. If this doesn't work than you will need the heavier tools mentioned above.

 

[buckshotshorty]

Thanks for all the help...I finally got it, by pushing muzzle end down on 2X4!

 

[Mike J]

Glad to hear you got it.