P95 Mag Release

[Uncle Rick]

P95 Mag release problem
I have an old P95, and the mag release seems to be somewhat jammed. It's operable, but requires the thumb strength of the Gods. Does anyone have any hints about making the thing a little more pleasant to use? I've tried Hoppe's gun oil, and a light machine oil, but nothing seems to work. Any suggestions welcome, and thanks in advance.

 

[hittman]

Welcome to the forum.
Have you ( no kidding ) blown it out with compressed air?

It’s been so long since I owned one, I can’t remember how ( or IF ) it comes apart.

 

[coyotesgator2]

Both sides are hard to press?

 

[Uncle Rick]

Both sides are hard to press?

Yes sir. I'm a guitar player, and have fairly strong hands, so when I said it was hard to release, I wasn't exaggerating. It's almost painful to the thumbs, and both sides are like that.

 

[Uncle Rick]

Welcome to the forum.
Have you ( no kidding ) blown it out with compressed air?

It's been so long since I owned one, I can't remember how ( or IF ) it comes apart.

I don't have an air compressor. If I took it to my mechanic's shop, they might let me use a blowgun. How would I access the innards to blow it out? I think the grip & frame module is injection molded around the works.

 

[magpouch]

From what you are describing, I don't think that's your problem, but I would still encourage you to give compressed air a shot.

It seems more likely to me that the three pieces (spring and both release levers) are not properly assembled? I would look up how to remove and reassemble the mag release to verify... It's not difficult, but it is pretty difficult for me to describe here.

 

[NC FNS]

I think I had a similar problem, self-inflicted until I discovered the need to push a little bit forward also.

 

[Uncle Rick]

I think I had a similar problem, self-inflicted until I discovered the need to push a little bit forward also.

I have a Sig P320 (In the Lord's caliber!) that was the same way, but the trick was to work the release about a hundred times to loosen it. Maybe the P95 needs the same exercise. I don't know if the wife will appreciate it a second time...

 

[WanderLust]

"In the Lord's caliber!" I like that!! Never seen that one before.
Remember watching a suspect running from the cops through a Chik-Fil-a and a dude opens up his truck door and slams the guy down.
He jumps out and yells, at the perp, "You don't do that in God's parking lot!"

 

[Al James]

The P95 mag release has to be pushed forward towards the muzzle NOT in towards the magazine well like almost every other SA pistol made. I figured I would state the obvious first since it is a weird design.

 

[bisleyfan41]

^^ This ^^

 

[blume357]

I had to go pull one out of my gun cabinet to just see... it is more of a natural twist than actually pushing forward. I think something is wrong with the spring on the OP's . There is a way of course to take it apart but I don't remember how. I did this on an older P89 when I realized the difference in magazines between the original P89 and the newer ones was about 2 thousands of an inch in where the mag release was located and caught the cut out on the mag.

 

[Al James]

I had to go pull one out of my gun cabinet to just see... it is more of a natural twist than actually pushing forward. I think something is wrong with the spring on the OP's . There is a way of course to take it apart but I don't remember how. I did this on an older P89 when I realized the difference in magazines between the original P89 and the newer ones was about 2 thousands of an inch in where the mag release was located and caught the cut out on the mag.

.040 difference between P15 and P18 factory 9mm mags. Sn 304-69999 is the cutoff point.

 

[Uncle Rick]

I checked my grip on the gun when trying to release the mag, and find that I do, in fact, push forward as well as toward the grip on the release. I tried pushing forward more, no joy. I may have to try to find a shop manual of some sort to take the mag release apart, as has been suggested a couple of times.

 

[hittman]

Owners manual probably on line at Rugers web site.
May find You Tube video to help as well.

 

[Uncle Rick]

Owners manual probably on line at Rugers web site.
May find You Tube video to help as well.

Thanks! I'll check it out.

 

[roylt]

 

[roylt]

https://ruger-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/_manuals/p95Decocker.pdf
The manual doesn't really tell the truth about the mag release for the P-guns. You simply push the release forward. Not really in at all. It has to pivot forward to come out of the hole in the front of the magazine.

The pic I posted shows the left release and flat spring. Pretty simple setup so either it moves forward or it doesn't.

There used to be a tear down post that is stickied but I don't think the pictures show or links work anymore. Maybe.


Good luck and Keep the P-guns alive!!!

 

[roylt]

Found this which seems pretty good but right at the end (10:20) he talks about but doesn't actually remove the mag release. The 95 is a bit harder because the grip is solid and you have to go up the magwell to apply pressure on the spring.

I really think it is simply you are pushing in instead of forward.

Do post a follow up and we will try to help more. Few P-nuts on here that still care about the old P-series.

 

[Uncle Rick]

WOW! I see a trip to a gunsmith in my future...( spoken in a Christopher Walken voice ) I have bad luck with stuff like this, so I think I'll let a pro check it out. I can see pins and springs flying all over the place if I try that. Thanks for sending the video.

 

[blume357]

yep, let a smith work on it... it will be worth it... I'm had a number of springs that have journeyed to a different universe...

As for the P89 quandary on older mags and newer ones... I fixed my older P 89 by just filing off some of the top of the magazine latch....

just for kicks, here is a picture of my latest pistol project.... converting a Sig P239 from a DAK trigger to DA/SA only took an entire weekend to get it right.

 

[Al James]

I love the 239! Its too bad they were discontinued. Considered obsolete by many, except me!

 

[roylt]

You really don't need a smith. If your worry is only the mag release you simply push on the back of the spring up in the magwell.

If I was closer Id help out for sure. Tinkering on P-guns is fun for me. Haven't done it in awhile but fun.

Google around a bit more and see if you can find more info on the mag release specifically.

It has been awhile but I think I simply put a small 1/4" dowel up there and squeezed it against the spring with my thumb. The side without the actual catch will almost fall out on its own. The other side with the catch is a tighter fit through the hole in the frame but I bet you can get it.

Did you try to push the release forward to remove your mag yet? Maybe all this is moot.

 

[blume357]

I love the 239! Its too bad they were discontinued. Considered obsolete by many, except me!

Probably Obsolete because I actually own 9.... 10 is going to be my limit though....
For those that don't know the history, the P239 was designed by Sig to be a concealed carry pistol for off duty police officers.... it was pretty popular for a while ... then along came all the plastic pistols.... as well as striker fired.... One of mine came from the Phoenix police department.... I suspect others were from the same kind of place. I changed out the grips and it is the best handling pistol I own... I hate that I sold one to a friend .... and it was a 357 sig frame. The lower came either 9mm or 357sig/40 cal.... you can shoot 9mm in the 357/40 ones with just a barrel change out.... no need to change recoil spring or magazine.... So, practice with 9mm and carry 357 sig.

 

[JAYDAWG]

I have a Sig P320 (In the Lord's caliber!)

Please enlighten me......................

 

[blume357]

From JAYDAWG:

I have an Sig P320 (In the Lord's caliber!)

Please enlighten me......................

Good question, hope we get a reply... but then it might start a religious debate......

I re-read the original post and I think the key is "old Ruger P95". I'm now betting it is just gunked up,

 

[Uncle Rick]

Please enlighten me......................

"The Lord's Caliber", .45 acp

 

[Uncle Rick]

From JAYDAWG:

Please enlighten me......................

Good question, hope we get a reply... but then it might start a religious debate......

I re-read the original post and I think the key is "old Ruger P95". I'm now betting it is just gunked up,

Again, I think I'll take it to a smith and let him figure it out. I've shot it with Hoppe's solvent, followed by Hoppe's gun oil, and not much difference. I even shot it with PB Blaster, and nada. I think there's probably something either out of place, or boogered up to a fare-thee-well.

 

[Uncle Rick]

I inherited it after the Station Night Club Fire, and it sat in my gun cabinet for a couple of years. Then, I took it to club's range, and it stove piped several times, so I took it home and gave it a serious scrub and clean, after which it cycled flawlessly, except for the mag release. I again let it sit, but would take it out to clean and oil every couple of months. Now, I've decided to try to get the mag release working, and here we are.

 

[JAYDAWG]

"The Lord's Caliber", .45 acp

I was wondering if that might be in reference to

Revelation 19:11
"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war."

I have a set of grips with this verse on one of my Colt 1911's, 45ACP of course