Please Help - Field Strip a S&W Mod 915

[Skydivn Shooter]

I borrowed a S&W Mod 915 9mm from a friend (for my son to shoot an IPSC clinic) and promised to clean it for him. I've tried everything I can think of and I can't get the slide off the frame. How is it done?
Thanks,
Keith

[G33]

1. drop mag.
2. check chamber.
3. pull slide back to cut out over slide lock lever.
4. push lever out of frame from right to left.
5. may need to use edge of mag base to push.
6. pull lever from left side the last bit.
7. slide will pull off front of frame.
:supergrin:

[Skydivn Shooter]

Thanks G33. I kinda thought that was the procedure but the slide lock lever is stuck good. It operates okay but will not come out. I sprayed Break Free CLP on it and tried a hammer and brass punch (while holding the slide back), but it will not move.

My friend said "last time I shot it, I didn't clean it good". The thing is in decent shape otherwise. I lubed it and we ran 130 rounds through it with no problem. But knowing him, its been a long time since the slide was removed.

I'm gonna spray it down again, let it "soak" and try again later today. Thanks again.

[Skydivn Shooter]

:banana: Woo Hoo :banana: I finally got it with a combination of the Break Free, properly aligning the hinge point of the slide lock lever with the cut in the slide (duh) and pushing with the edge of the mag base.:thumbsup: Thanks again!

[watsoncb]

Remember:

1 Hold the slide and recoil spring guide firmly in one hand,
2 Move the rear of the slide onto the frame rails.
3 Continue moving the slide onto the frame by depressing the ejector
and firing pin safety levers down into their respective frame
slots.
4 Position the slide so that the slide stop notch on the slide is aligned with the slide stop hole in the frame.
5 Insert the slide stop and allow the slide to return to the
fully forward position.

[Skydivn Shooter]

Thanks watsoncb. Excellent advice. It takes some effort to align all those levers while preventing the slide from springing off the front of the frame. You almost need three hands to disassemble and re-assemble it.

That Mod 915 sure is a complicated firearm (compared to a Glock) but I now understand the "kill switch" feature of the magazine disconnect.
Thanks a bunch:thumbsup:
Keith

[oldnavy]

The 915 was last mfg in '96 I seem to remember, it was one of the cheaper S&W auto's, but they seem to have a good relibility pattern. I have talk to a couple of guys who also own the 915 and they say they have never had a malfunction. Ihaven't shot mine that much, it a night table gun, but I have run about all types of ammo made through from Chinese cheapo to Wincheaster, ball to JHP and never a hickup. I love the way the gun feels in my very large hand and with the LazerMax internal laser, I can again do 15 head shots at 25 yards about as fast as I can pull the trigger.