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I have to be the world's worst about maintaining a consistent shooting schedule, but even I should have caught this.

I bought a new set of slim grips for my Beretta 96D to replace the fat Hogues that made it difficult to conceal. Unfortunately, I just threw them on and neglected to check the gun over and test it once I did, and I just carried it as normal.

Today I went to the range (Bass Pro here in Grapevine) to shoot. The first round went off fine... the second, however, did not. The hammer went back about 1/4 of the way and fell forward, no strike on the primer, no fire.

I emptied the gun and tested the trigger, and it worked fine. I loaded a round into the chamber and tried again... Bang, no problem. Perplexed, I loaded my mag again (probably a bad idea) and attempted it once more. Again, first round went off without a hitch, and the second didn't fire... but again, the hammer moved.

I emptied my mags, packed up and left.

I just got home and disassembled the gun. Turns out the top part of the spring that holds the trigger bar up (not sure what it is called) was disconnected from the bar and was beside it. All it took was a simple compression and flick of the finger and it was back in place, and the gun now works fine.

I SHUDDER to think what would have happened had I gotten into a shooting situation without knowing what was going on... that little oversight could have easily cost me my life.

I can only assume that I somehow knocked it out of place when I was installing my new grips or while I was cleaning it (same time) and just never saw it. I'm very embarrassed, but I think it needs to be told.. ALWAYS check your equipment over after doing ANY maintenance or cleaning.

Thank God I found out on the range and not on a dark street

Many firearms have complicated interactions between the grip stocks and moving parts.

If you take the grip stocks off a Browning Buck Mark, expect small parts to go flying, and be ready to crawl around on your hands and knees with a magnet and flashlight to find them.

Live and learn.

- Jim

MadMonkey wrote:I'm very embarrassed, but I think it needs to be told. ALWAYS check your equipment over after doing ANY maintenance or cleaning.

Don't be embarrassed. This is very worthwhile advice and may save a life. It has happened to more people than will admit it. I am glad that you found out about your problem before it was "too late".

seamusTX wrote:Many firearms have complicated interactions between the grip stocks and moving parts.

If you take the grip stocks off a Browning Buck Mark, expect small parts to go flying, and be ready to crawl around on your hands and knees with a magnet and flashlight to find them.

Live and learn.

- Jim

The Sig Mosquito is also prone to such issues.

seamusTX wrote:If you take the grip stocks off a Browning Buck Mark, expect small parts to go flying, and be ready to crawl around on your hands and knees with a magnet and flashlight to find them.
- Jim

Agree. No need to ask how I know that.

That is a lesson learned and a lesson taught...that you for the story.