P10-C Trigger Pin Coming Loose

[Duke Nukem]

My last trip to the range I noticed the trigger pull was no longer smooth, it had a catch to it, like it was stuck and then pulled free.  I took a look at it, wondering if it had a chunk of dirt in it or something.  On close examination I saw that the pin that holds the trigger in place was coming out and catching on the frame.  Obviously, I can just push the pin back in place, but what's to stop it from walking back out again?  Anybody else seen one do this, or suggest the best fix for it? 



Here you can see the end of the pin has gotten a shine from rubbing the frame opening:



It's been okay for 1,600 rounds over the last six months, it just became noticeable the last outing.  I like the idea of keeping things stock as much as possible, so if I can get this right I'll stay with the CZ trigger.  Maybe I should contact CZ about it?

[SI VIS PACEM PARRABELLUM]

I'd give CZ a call. The gun is under warranty and I don't think that should be happening. but I'd get CZ's take on it.

[jurek]

Yes, as SI VIS PACEM PARRABELLUM wrote, call CZ.
In the meantime (if you still shoot it) put grease on this pin. (to prevent coming out, not for lubrication against the frame  )

[BigG]

Interesting. I think that pin is just barely oversized to the hole and that's the only thing keeping it in place.  What's the pin look like when it's removed?  Maybe there's been just enough wear that the pin is now moving freely vs the original snug fit.  Seems like that would be a problem across the board though on all triggers.  1600 rounds is a pretty low round count to start having a wear issue.

Pls keep us advised as to what you get figured out.

[Duke Nukem]

I spoke with CZ this morning and described the problem.  The tech I was speaking with said his pistol (didn't actually call it a P10-C, I assumed it was) had had the same problem, and he had used a drop of blue Loctite to fix it.  I was okay with doing that with this trigger, as long as it was a reliable fix, but he said he'd ship a new pin just in case.  He said maybe it was caused by crimp variations in assembly, but it's not common.  I haven't messed with the pin yet, I'll take it out once the new one arrives and give things a hard look.

On another topic, while I had him on the phone I asked about my ejector seeming to be bent up and maybe being the cause of no longer auto-forwarding.  I told him the gun worked fine otherwise, but they are also sending a new "rear slide insert" (or something like that) so I can replace it if I want. 

I feel like I got great customer warranty service, and a fast and satisfactory response.

[jurek]

I feel like I got great customer warranty service, and a fast and satisfactory response.

Great to hear it ! 

[anach]

I'm pretty sure that's just how they are. My P10F has the same loose fit, but there isn't a way for the pin to walk out enough to cause a malfunction because of the way it sits in the frame. In fact, I can push the pin into the assembly with my finger, no punch/hammer needed.

Try the new pin, but I bet it isn't going to be tighter since it's the hole in the trigger and the trigger bar that retain the pin and make the tight fit, and I doubt you've been taking the pin out over and over based on how little marring there is to the pin finish. If anything is worn, it'll be the trigger bar hole (which is oversized already if I remember correctly to allow the trigger to rotate) or the polymer of the trigger shoe. The polymer isn't likely to have worn the steel pin, so I bet it's the trigger shoe hole that's just a hair too loose.

I would just push the pin back into the center of the assembly and live with it.
Loctite it if it bothers you, but there really isn't any way for it to put you in danger as the pin can't just fall out or protrude enough to entirely block the trigger. It might actually make the trigger pull heavier depending on which part you loctite and the tolerances involved. Remember, that pin is a pivot point, so at least one set of surfaces is a bearing/bushing.

[Duke Nukem]

I had yet to go beyond field stripping this gun before last night, that's why things look so unmolested! 

Like I said, I noticed it because the trigger was catching at the start of the pull, once the pin had gone past the edge of the frame things were free to complete the cycle smoothly.  I guess it had been creeping out and it wasn't until it started to catch the frame that it became obvious something was wrong.  Thanks for the tip on where to apply Loctite, I expect I'll be using it no matter which part I install. 

I like a smooth trigger, and this wasn't being that way at all.

[anach]

One thing to try, if you feel adventurous, you could peen/burnish/dimple one end of the pin to roll over the edge over to create a burr so it bites into the trigger shoe polymer. Something to try if the loctite doesn't do the trick (but it should).

Best of luck.

[Duke Nukem]

I received the new trigger pin yesterday, here's a pic of the old and the new:



As you can see, the new one is longer than the old, it basically matches the width of the trigger.  I don't know how consistent that dimension is for this part; if this pistol got an unusually short one or if they started cutting the pins longer.  I put the calipers on them and found they are identical in thickness, so the new one won't be any tighter or looser than the original.  I added a drop of blue Loctite when I inserted the pin, it shouldn't go anywhere by itself.

I can see by the wear pattern on the original that it sat in one location for most of its life, it must have recently shifted, no idea why it chose to act when it did.  Now that I've seen a new and old one, I think the Loctite fix is the way to go, if you're concerned yours may wander into trouble.

[BigG]

Duke, thanks for the update.  Interesting the pins are different lengths.  I thought that pin had move freely.  Doesn't the trigger "pivot" on that pin?  Maybe I'm just having a mental block....wouldn't be the first time...lol.

[jurek]

Too short pin might cause the problems. It just didn't sit firmly on both sides of trigger.
Hopefully you didn't cover whole pin with this Loctite's drop. 

[Duke Nukem]

Duke, thanks for the update.  Interesting the pins are different lengths.  I thought that pin had move freely.  Doesn't the trigger "pivot" on that pin?  Maybe I'm just having a mental block....wouldn't be the first time...lol.

If you look at the old pin you'll see that the ends which are still black are normally fixed/stationary in the trigger body, the center part goes through the trigger bar and allows the trigger to move freely.  It's lost the finish from rubbing metal on metal.

I put Loctite on one end of the pin only, although I don't think it would have hurt anything to put it on both ends. 

[BigG]

Ahhh, got it, thanks.