Ruger Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Ruger American Pistol striker problem

Jump to Latest
11K views 17 replies 10 participants last post by  Tac45c  
#1 ·
Thanks for listening. I've got a Ruger American pistol in 9mm that started acting up last week, not fully ejecting at least once per magazine. Brought it home and pulled the ejector, which was filled with gunk, so I cleaned it, and pulled the striker and cleaned it and the channel since I had it apart.
Next time at the range, I fired 2 rounds and the gun wouldn't feed any more. The striker pin is sticking out of the hole in the slide, blocking the new round from sliding up the face of the slide. No matter what I do, I can't get the striker to remain back where it should be. I know I can send it back to Ruger, but would like to fix it myself if possible. Anybody have any thoughts?
 
#2 · (Edited)
I have the same and have about 300 rounds thru it with no problems so far. Sorry you are having some. If you do get with Ruger CS, rest assured, they are the best. Good luck.

Rebound spring still intact? Just seeing what sticks to the wall.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#3 ·
DDewar53 said:
Thanks for listening. I've got a Ruger American pistol in 9mm that started acting up last week, not fully ejecting at least once per magazine. Brought it home and pulled the ejector, which was filled with gunk, so I cleaned it, and pulled the striker and cleaned it and the channel since I had it apart.

Next time at the range, I fired 2 rounds and the gun wouldn't feed any more. The striker pin is sticking out of the hole in the slide, blocking the new round from sliding up the face of the slide. No matter what I do, I can't get the striker to remain back where it should be. I know I can send it back to Ruger, but would like to fix it myself if possible. Anybody have any thoughts?
Click to expand...


Is the plastic sleeve on the striker assembly white? If not, I think there is an upgrade. Mine was replaced and others who had issues have also said theirs was replaced by Ruger.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
P
#5 ·
It sounds like you used the word Ejector when you meant to say Extractor.
And that may be the source of your problem. I don't have a RAP but several pistol designs incorporate the extractor/striker/firing pin block so that each part retains the others. (Glock, H&K, etc. ) if you didn't get the parts back in the correct relationship to one another, that is likely your problem.
 
M
#10 ·
Call cs. More than likely you will be shipped a striker assembly free of charge. Was the gun bought new, or used?
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#14 ·
DDewar53 said:
Thanks for listening. I've got a Ruger American pistol in 9mm that started acting up last week, not fully ejecting at least once per magazine. Brought it home and pulled the ejector, which was filled with gunk, so I cleaned it, and pulled the striker and cleaned it and the channel since I had it apart.
Next time at the range, I fired 2 rounds and the gun wouldn't feed any more. The striker pin is sticking out of the hole in the slide, blocking the new round from sliding up the face of the slide. No matter what I do, I can't get the striker to remain back where it should be. I know I can send it back to Ruger, but would like to fix it myself if possible. Anybody have any thoughts?
Click to expand...
It sound to me like you either a: lost the striker return spring, or b: have a broken or faulty striker return spring. When you remove the striker from the channel, there should be a separate coil spring that goes over the top of the firing pin itself. This returns the firing pin back within the channel so it can feed another round and the firing pin don't contact the striker untill fired . The main striker spring over powers the return spring during firing and protrudes for a split second. Just long enough to pop the primer, and then the return spring sends the striker back into the channel. I cannot stress enough that IF YOUR FIRING PIN IS PROTRUDING FROM THE HOLE THEN THE PISTOL IS UNSAFE TO USE. SHOULD A ROUND ACTUALLY CYCLE AND CHAMBER , AS SOON AS THE SLIDE GETS INTO BATTERY FULLY, IT WILL FIRE AGAIN. DO NOT USE YOUR HANDGUN UNTILL THIS ISSUE IS RESOLVED
 
#15 · (Edited)
DDewar53 said:
Thanks for listening. I've got a Ruger American pistol in 9mm that started acting up last week, not fully ejecting at least once per magazine. Brought it home and pulled the ejector, which was filled with gunk, so I cleaned it, and pulled the striker and cleaned it and the channel since I had it apart.
Next time at the range, I fired 2 rounds and the gun wouldn't feed any more. The striker pin is sticking out of the hole in the slide, blocking the new round from sliding up the face of the slide. No matter what I do, I can't get the striker to remain back where it should be. I know I can send it back to Ruger, but would like to fix it myself if possible. Anybody have any thoughts?
Click to expand...
It sounds like you either a : have a missing firing pin return spring, or b : have a broken or faulty firing pin return spring. Whenever you remove the striker from the channel at the end where the firing pin is there should be a separate coil spring that slips down over the firing pin. This returns the firing pin and the striker assembly back into the channel once it is fired. When firing the pistol the main striker spring overpowers the return spring for just a second, just long enough for the firing pin to extrude and pop the primer,then the return spring sends the pin back into the hole in the slide. I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH, IF YOUR FIRING PIN IS EXTRUDING OUT OF THE HOLE IN THE SLIDE AND NOT RETURNING BACK INSIDE THE HOLE THEN YOUR PISTOL IS UNSAFE TO FIRE, SHOULD IT MANAGED TO ACTUALLY CHAMBER AROUND AS SOON AS THE SLIDE IS FULLY IN THE BATTERY IT COULD FIRE AGAIN WITHOUT THE TRIGGER BEING PULLED. NOT RETURNING BACK INTO IT LIKE IT IS DESIGNED. This is a picture of the striker assembly and it's correct orientation when reinstalling it into the into the slide.
 

Attachments

Ruger Forum
posts
3M
members
120K
Since
2006
A forum community dedicated to Ruger firearm owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about optics, hunting, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
New Member Introductions Tavern Ruger Double Action Ruger Pistols Ruger Single Action