Gun malfuntion- what happened?

Mr. Nail · Post by **Mr. Nail** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 7:00 pm

I was target shooting my 9mm Ruger P89DC when after one of my shots my hammer was not engaged. The last cartridge had ejected and I shot it again and it went back to acting fine. Did the slide not go far enough to engage the hammer or was it something else?

Post by **Bullseye** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 8:39 pm

The disconnector may have not reset properly. It happens sometimes; was the slide fully in-battery?

R,
Bullseye

Mr. Nail · Post by **Mr. Nail** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 7:26 am

I dont understand what fully in battery means.

blue68f100 · Post by **blue68f100** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 9:34 am

Full battery means the slide was all the way forward. If it is not the internal safeties will disengage the FP/trigger, preventing the gun from firing. I don't recall how the P89 is setup on safeties. So if it was not in battery the safety disengaged the trigger preventing it from firing. Some guns also have FP blocks, which can also stops the FP from hitting the round if not in battery.

Mr. Nail · Post by **Mr. Nail** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 1:29 pm

I shot it the first time long stroke and after about my 5th short stroke, I noticed the weight difference on my trigger so I didn't shoot. I looked at the gun and the hammer was not cocked, so I just pulled the trigger long stroke again and after that shot it fired short stroke again. It shot fine the rest of our practice, nothing but short strokes, except for the fist round in a fresh magizine- unless I cocked the first round- which I often do.

Post by **Bullseye** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 5:18 pm

Anytime something unusual happens I always stop and check the barrel for obstructions. This could have easily been a light load or a hang fire where the bullet did not clear the barrel. If that had happened the second bullet fired would have clogged and ringed the barrel. This is especially true if I'm shooting reloads. It is difficult to say what exactly happened in this instance. If it was a mechanical failure it was likely the disconnector. If it was ammo related likely a weak charge that didn't cycle the slide fully but did have enough energy to eject the case and feed the next round. How did the recoil feel on the round that failed to lock the hammer rearward?

R,
Bullseye

Mr. Nail · Post by **Mr. Nail** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 6:25 pm

I didn't notice a difference on the recoil but that could've very possiblally been the case. Also I thought about what I did out there a little later. You're right I should have pulled the slide back and inspected my barrell, I could have hurt myself. LESSON LEARNED

blue68f100 · Post by **blue68f100** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 6:36 pm

Carry a wooded dow rod with you in your game bag. Mark the distance of how far it can be inserted into the barrel, empty and with a live round. So if in dought you can just slide it down the barrel to check for obstruction without operating the slide. Takes only a few seconds to do the check. And if there is a problem you have something to drive the obstruction out with. Quick, cheap and works.

Mr. Nail · Post by **Mr. Nail** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 9:06 pm

Im not trying to give out a hard time but, that would require sticking my hand in front of a potentially loaded barrell and I like my fingers.

Post by **Bullseye** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 9:12 pm

Yes, clear and visually inspect as empty before doweling the barrel for any obstructions.

R,
Bullseye

Mr. Nail · Post by **Mr. Nail** » Wed May 12, 2010 12:16 pm

The more I've dwelt on it, which hasn't been alot I think it was the ammo.

bgreenea3 · Post by **bgreenea3** » Wed May 12, 2010 12:54 pm

You could have limp wristed that shot and caused the above situation

Mr. Nail · Post by **Mr. Nail** » Wed May 12, 2010 1:07 pm

Thats true but I didn't cuase I was shooting around 30 to 40yds. at a coke can so I was holding pretty steady w/ two hands. My brother inlaw brought some bulk ammo and I cant even remember who manufactured it.

bgreenea3 · Post by **bgreenea3** » Wed May 12, 2010 1:15 pm

i guess that is why they thought up "tap rack bang"

Mr. Nail · Post by **Mr. Nail** » Wed May 12, 2010 1:29 pm

Yeah.