Failure for slide to lock back

[Labratinamaze]

Hi Everyone,

I just completed my concealed carry class about a hour ago. Yea! Scored 94 on the written test and a 97 on the shooting portion.

I haven't shot a pistol before this past Thursday. I went through 50 rounds and that was it. No problems with my weapon. New Ruger P95 9mm. During the shooting exam I had 2 two instances where the slide failed to lock back after the magazine emptied (5 rounds each time). DID NOT REALLY NEED THIS AT THIS TIME! LOL

Anybody have any experience in this?

[NavyLCDR]

Hi Everyone,

I just completed my concealed carry class about a hour ago. Yea! Scored 94 on the written test and a 97 on the shooting portion.

I haven't shot a pistol before this past Thursday. I went through 50 rounds and that was it. No problems with my weapon. New Ruger P95 9mm. During the shooting exam I had 2 two instances where the slide failed to lock back after the magazine emptied (5 rounds each time). DID NOT REALLY NEED THIS AT THIS TIME! LOL

Anybody have any experience in this?

It is typically the magazine follower that activates the slide lock lever. If it is a worn or broken spot on the magazine follower, it should only happen on the same magazine. If it happens with all magazines, then the tab on the slide stop lever is worn down or the notch on the slide that the tab goes up into is rounded off. Or, it could be the the slide stop lever return spring is too stiff and the magazine spring cannot overcome it.

[Labratinamaze]

Thanks NavyLT,

It happened on both magazines. Now what do I do about it?

[CPW1265]

It usually is your grip. When you pull the trigger and the round goes off if your wrist and grip arent firm then it doesnt allow the firearm to work properly such as allow the slide to loack to the rear. Also your grip, if your 2 thumbs overlap they can disengage the slide lock by your grip.

A way to fix this is to keep a firm grip on the gun when shooting and also change your thumb position.

[Labratinamaze]

Is this "limp wristing"?

[CPW1265]

yes it is.

[NavyLCDR]

Yes, that is true, limp wristing will cause it too. Load two rounds in the magazines and have someone else shoot the two rounds a few times and see if the gun does it for them. Otherwise inspect the area on the slide where the slide stop lever engages the slide and see if everything is sharp and engaging completely.

[Labratinamaze]

Thanks again CPW and Navy. I will admit this is propbably the case. Like I said this was during my testing and I was nervous and anxious to be done so I can easily see myself doing this. I'll go to the range next week with 50 rounds (and no pressure) and see if it happens again.

Semper Fi Navy!

[Lowjiber]

I agree..."Limp wristing" is the likely culprit...given that your Walther is likely new.

[OldOwl]

Make sure your slides are clean and oiled, my Walther is very temperamental about that. AFTER I paid postage to send it back for the THIRD time to the factory I called them and they asked me if I had oiled the slides. Really? Three times? And I was the one supposed to find that problem?