Firing pin blocker stuck in the up position...HELP

[win308]

I just got a Tanfoglio steel from Coles Distributing (off Gunbroker) that I really want to keep.  However, the firing pin block is rusted or crusted in the slide in the up position, which prevents the FP from moving and the gun from firing.  I have drenched the thing in light gun oil but the spring is not powerful enough to push the blocker down and release the firing pin.  With the firing pin stuck, I can't push it in to get the end plate lowered to dissemble the firing pin and clean the whole thing out.

Any ideas in how to get the FP blocker to move would be greatly appreciated.

[cntrydawwwg]

You could try spraying it with CLP Breakfree. Let it soak over night. Maybe give the top of the slide a couple taps with a rubber mallet?

[mwj999]

If it's rusted, than something like Breakfree or WD-40 would help. If it's crusted with some sort of hardened grease, maybe something like brake cleaner sprayed in through the firing pin hole might help. (Wear safety glasses!) After applying the right stuff, tapping the firing pin block upward with a hammer and punch might help break it loose. If none of this works, I hope you've got some kind of warranty.

[Joe L]

If the solvent soak doesn't work, try a propane torch to heat it up the area around the block, then whack the slide down on a hardwood table to use inertia to free the little bugger.  You might loose the spring when it comes loose. 

Joe

[henehcuhp]

It may be worth noting that Tanfo FPB's work opposite of the way most guns do...pushing the block up (towards the top of the slide) does not free the firing pin...it blocks it. When the slide if off the gun, the firing pin should be able to move forward all the way with no other action needed.

[jwc007]

I would soak the whole Slide in any of the following; Auto Transmission Fluid, PB Blaster, or Kerosene, for about two weeks or more.
I had to do that with two handguns I inherited, that had been allowed to rust internally.
PB Blaster is particularly effective and restored an old Winchester Model 12 to operational condition, very quickly.

[ThompsonCustom]

can you remove the firing pin and force it out?

[win308]

I finally soaked it in WD40 for an hour then hit it with a torch.  After a minute the grease began to soften and liquefy enough to release the FPB.  This freed up the FP to move forward so that I could move the retaining gate down.  It all came out with hardened grease and gunpowder residue all over everything.  A wire brush the size of a tooth brush cleaned the parts up.... now I have to get a drill and a .22 bore brush and Roto-Ruter the firing pin channel with Hoppes.     

Thanks for the suggestions.  But it was the heat that did the trick.

[Joe L]

That's great!!  Glad you got it apart.  I had to use heat on an ejector retaining pin on a Kadet barrel....less than 30 minutes ago. 

Joe

[cntrydawwwg]

Awesome. Glad you got it.

[Bret]

You do know that we're waiting for pictures of your new pistol, right?

[win308]

OK ...OK  ....sorry

[Bret]

It's ported and has an extended mag release, nice!  I'm guessing that it's one of their pistols out of Israel.

[cntrydawwwg]

Very nice.