Lighter recoil spring

[jvaught]

I loaded a bunch of ammo on a friend's Dillon 1050 using his charge weight (light) and it won't cycle my G21. I bought a 15 lb spring to throw in so I could burn through this ammo, but I don't know how to take the guide rod apart. Is this possible? Do I need to just buy another guide rod? If so what's a decent/cheap one?

Thanks for any pointers.

JV

[Steve Koski]

If your new spring is a flat wire type, you can re-use the stock guide rod. If it's a round wire type, you'll probably want an aftermarket guide rod.

To re-use the factory guide rod:
Unload the gun, lock the slide open. Grab under the side of the front button and pop it off. You'll probabably have to use a tool with sharp edged to get a good enough hold.

Or:

Take the recoil assembly out, stick it in a wooden block that allows you to compress the spring. Compress the spring. Drop a stiff wire down the middle from the back, tap wire to knock out the front button.

[jvaught]

The button popped off alright. In two pieces :( Guess I'm getting a new guide rod.

Gun had ump-teen thousand rounds though it. I guess it's due for some replacement parts.

Thanks again.
JV

[DannyR]

The problem could also be bullet type and overall length. My G21 w/stock spring could handle a very light 200-gr load.

[Steve Koski]

Yeah, the button is just one piece.

I keep a couple spare recoil assemblies around.