PCR slide problem?...please help!

[jeff c]

Hello all,

I took my PCR out to the range last weekend and ran into what I believe is a problem.

After about 40-50 rounds of ammo (Winchester White Box) the gun felt like something was loose. Each shot caused what can best be described as a feeling that the slide was very loose, like it was coming off the frame.

I had no FTF, FTE, nothing. It worked great, but something is going on with it. Could it be something like the recoil spring going bad? The gun only has about 1100-1200 rounds through it.

I've never had a gun do this...so I'm lost.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jeff C.

[ut83]

Your feeling of the slide being loose could only be a couple of things....rail/rail fit...recoil spring/guide rod failure or slide stop failure.....my guess is you nailed it.  If you are shooting hotter ammo thru your gun, the recoil spring can go south very quickly or if you got a bogus one from CZ...it happens.

Also check to see if your grips are coming loose...just a thought.  It does happen quite often with CZ's

Go to www.gunsprings.com  and get the Recoil springs for the CZ Compact////witness compact.  I use 20# springs but could get away with an 18# also...When I shoot alot of hotter loads thru my PCR...I waste one every 800 rnds or so.......

Field strip your gun and check it out visually for anything mechanically wrong.....if it checks out and goes togethor properly...shoot it again...see how far your brass flies when ejected....how far is it?......

shoot well

[rpbrock]

Since we're on the subject of springs, Is the stock PCR spring okay for range ammo. I just ordered springs for my 97 and 85. Now I'm wondering if I should have upgraded all of my CZ's springs. I'm getting the impression that CZ's spring are not up to par with the rest of the gun. My PCR shoots great with Win white box and Blazer. But should I go ahead and consider spring upgrades?

[jeff c]

I disassembled the gun and found no problems with anything that I could see.

The grip screws were/are tight.
I believe that the recoil spring is just weak.

Does the PCR use a 17 pound spring standard? If so, I will get a Wolff 17 and 18 and 20 pound spring, and do some experiments.

Thanks,
Jeff C.

[ut83]

Honestly..the PCR has probably a 16# OEM spring...but Im not sure.  The hammer spring is more than the OEM Compact spring which is 19#,  as it has a different hammer configuration....no one can tell me the correct OEM main spring rating for them.  Try the 18 and 20#..youll find one that works very well.  Shoot well

[CZNE]

I had this same thing happen on my compact last weekend.  I was shooting a lot of rounds through it and my PCR.  The PCR has an 18 lb recoil spring while the compact still had the factory spring.  I noticed as I was shooting the compact that it felt like the whole thing was coming apart, but when I racked the slide on each it was easy to tell what the problem was.  The compact slide had little resistance compared to the PCR, so I changed the recoil spring, problem solved.  Wish everything was that simple to figure out.

I would go with an 18 or 20 lb recoil spring in the PCR, that's what was recommended to me by ut83 and it has worked.

[ut83]

CZNE....thanks for the good report.  Im glad you solved your problem...glad to be here to help out others.

Ive tried so many things that havent worked...I know what doesnt and remember what does........silly but true.

Shoot well