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MKII issue (won't fire/takedown)

8K views 17 replies 8 participants last post by  Bullseye 
#1 ·
Bought a used MKII that the previous owner states he installed the volquartsen kit and fired about 100 rounds through it. All went OK then it locked up (trigger wont pull). The bolt will only move to the rear 1/2" and the main spring catch lever will only move to the rear but will not pull away from the receiver. Any ideas other than take it to a smith?
 
#2 · (Edited)
msrtex, The trigger bar (AKA "disconnector") is bound up and not springing up to catch the sear. Hold the gun with the grip pointed up, hold the trigger fully forward, then use a wooden mallet to smack the top of the receiver ... just in front of the rear sight. This should dislodge the trigger bar and allow it to align with the sear. Pull the trigger. If it doesn't dry fire, try again.

Once you get the gun to dry fire, field strip it and find out where the trigger bar is binding.

P.S. You might want to check the chamber first to see if it's loaded!!
 
#5 ·
Checked and correct. Always good information. I have never understood people who get upset when reminded "make sure the chamber is empty".

The bolt came all the way back (once according to the previous owner) which ejected the round that was chambered. The bolt does advance to the rear far enough to see an empty chamber.
 
#6 ·
msrtex, After thinking about it ... I believe I gave you some bad information. A jammed trigger bar would prevent the gun from firing but shouldn't lock up the bolt. Instead, I believe the hammer strut has jumped out of the "pocket" in the mainspring housing. With the hammer jammed forward, the bolt will only move rearward a slight amount. The aftermarket hammer probably has a short strut.

The "fix" is similar ... remove the grips and smack the grip frame with a wood mallet. If you get lucky, the hammer strut will reposition in the pocket and you will be able to remove the mainspring housing.
 
#7 · (Edited)
OK, got it apart. Not sure if the parts were in the right place because I had to dump them on the table. Put it all back together and it is functioning correctly but I see two possible issues. The first is minor but is an issue non the less. This MKII has the most difficult bolt cycle I have ever felt. I would describe it as very ruff. It pulls all the way back and when released it will return forward but if you hold it during this cycle it feels very gritty? The second issue is major. The hammer pivot pin keeps working itself out allowing the hammer assembly and hammer bushing to rotate slightly. The pin backs out just to the inside of the frame. Am I correct in thinking that this caused the trigger to lock up and interfere with dis-assembly? Is there any way to get it back in place without taking the whole thing apart yet again? I can not drive it in with a rubber hammer or a dowel.
 
#8 ·
Got the hammer pivot pin back in place. I will watch it for the walking issue. By the way, when the hammer pivot pin is in the correct position the bolt is as smooth as any of the MKII pistols I have shot. Best $190 I've spent in a long time. MKII Government model.
 
#9 ·
Wow, what a deal you got on that one! I'll take it off your hands for $200! :p

I like those grips, are they hogue?

I think Clark Custom's sells an oversized hammer bushing & pin for like $15, maybe that might help?

I know the pre-travel screw on the trigger can work it's way in some under use and if it goes too far the disconnector will not reset. A little loctite fixes that issue.
 
#10 ·
The grips are Hogue. I like them so much on my other MKII I had to put a pair on this one. I am still playing with the pre-travel screw before I loctite it. Just like my shorter barrel version, it will not leave my possession. I can shoot a gnat off a fly's ass at 25 yards with that one! OK maybe I'm exaggerating a little.
 
#11 ·
msrtex, I believe you found the source of your problems. If the hammer pivot pin drifts out, the hammer will move up a tad, bind up the bolt, and cause the hammer strut to jump out of the mainspring seat.

The left grip panel is supposed to keep the hammer pivot pin in place. I have the same exact grips on my MK III and found the recess in the Hogue grips for the head of the hammer pivot pin is a bit too generous. I made a "filler" out of a plastic coffee can lid, shaped to the recess, and glued it to the grip panel. It holds the pin in place and doesn't interfere with the bolt lock. This doesn't happen with the factory grips because the recess is more snug.
 
#18 ·
This pistol is not a 22/45. The hammer and sear pivot pins are not grooved on a metal framed pistol. What has happened is the left grip panels have the pivot pin relief cut too deep and it is allowing the pins to walk to the left causing the failure. Adding the epoxy just removes that extra room and essentially holds the hammer pivot pin in place properly.

R,
Bullseye
 
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