Need help with SR9 question

[newshooter]

I have cleaned my new SR9 a couple of times and the last time I reassembled it I noticed some play between the frame and the slide. You can feel it when the front of the frame is pushed up. Also when I hold the gun up to the light I can see right though where the frame meets the slide.

Don't know if I explained this good enough but can anyone please tell me if this is normal.

Thanks

 

[Big Stu]

Pictures are worth a thousand words here. If there is a way to photograph it I'm sure you'll get your answers. I too have a small gap between the frame and slide of my SR9c and I can see light but I am quite sure in my case it is quite normal. I have a feeling you are describing the same thing.

 

[javelina80]

I had a similar issue one day after dis assembly. So I tore it down and re assembled it. This time with no issues. I must of had something out of alignment. Try that and see if you get any changes. I think my issue was the recoil spring wasn't properly installed in it's groove. There is a small gap tho between the frame and slide. (normal)

 

[Sal1950]

These are service grade weapons, not competition match grade. They will have some clearance/slop to them for a couple of reasons.
1. The clearance not only with let dirt/crud in, but it will let it get out. Thus keeping the weapon running under adverse conditions that might otherwise cause failures in a super tight match grade weapon.
2 Cost, very tight hand fitting during manufacture is time consuming and expensive. You want a super tight, smooth as glass weapon check out one to the custom 1911 builders, also look at their cost. :shock:
Sal

 

[newshooter]

When the slide is open is the barrel supposed to be loose where you can jiggle it?

Also, I can push on the bottom of the front of frame and there is a little movement before it hits the slide - is that normal?

Appreciate any input and thanks again for all info.

 

[hksigman]

everything you are describing is normal...just enjoy the gun and stop looking for there to be something wrong

 

[newshooter]

Thanks hksigman - appreciate it. This is my first gun since Navy days and not sure if I screwed up after cleaning it.

Take care
Dave

 

[RMFC]

Ive made the same observations about my SR9. As far as anyone has said it's not a problem at all. And it still shoots dead on which is what matters most!

 

[exavid]

I realize this is an old thread but couldn't resist posting. The reason you can see light between the slide and frame is because there's no aluminum inner liner in the poly frame for the slide to ride on. The steel inserts that the slide grooves ride on has to be slightly above the poly frame to provide clearance so there's no drag on the slide. A lot of poly framed pistols have an inner aluminum piece inside the frame with grooves for the slide ala LCP. The steel inserts ought to provide longer life than the aluminum slides. Since the steel inserts aren't full length there will be a bit of side to side play in the slide but that really doesn't affect accuracy since the forces operating on the slide and barrel are mostly linear along the axis of the barrel. Judging by the accuracy of my SR9 it's not lacking in accuracy and so far with around 1200 rounds through it the action is holding up excellently.