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Byrd
08-15-2021, 03:37 PM
This morning I dis assembled my 15 year old PM9's slide to clean out the crud & oil (first time doing this). Now upon re assembly it won't pass the pencil test. It won't even make the pencil move. Assembly went smoothly so any suggestions?
Bawanna
08-15-2021, 04:15 PM
The striker must not be in there correctly. Can you push down on the drop safety and move the striker forward and backward. Forward enough to protrude from the bolt face?

You should be able to push down that safety and shake the slide and it should rattle.

I can't think of any way to put the striker in wrong, I'm stumped but pondering.

You have a good square firm eraser so the striker has something good to hit. Or use a new unsharpened pencil and put the front end down.
Byrd
08-15-2021, 04:27 PM
I can push down on the drop safety and move the striker far enough to protrude from the bolt face. I just did an experiment, I sized and primed an empty case, chambered it and fired it with no problem! I'm perplexed. I did try a new unsharpened pencil and it still failed. I won't be able to get to the range till later this week to test with live ammo. Thank you for your response!
dao
08-15-2021, 04:35 PM
If it fired the primer, unless you plan on loading it with pencils you're probably good to go. But do post back about how it runs at the range.
Byrd
08-15-2021, 05:41 PM
That's what I figured as well. Perplexing though because before I took it apart it passed the pencil test. I'll post results after my range trip.
GROTMAN
08-15-2021, 06:28 PM
I HAD A WHOLE DIFFERENT IMAGE WHEN YOU MENTIONED "PENCIL TEST " :cool:
https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article7212594.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/PAY-Breast-Challenge.jpg
Byrd
08-15-2021, 07:27 PM
:amflag:
Byrd
08-19-2021, 03:29 PM
All is well! My range trip today verified that my PM9 is as reliable as it ever was!
dao
08-19-2021, 04:26 PM
I'll bet that's a relief. Any idea then why the pencil test fails?
Byrd
08-19-2021, 04:41 PM
I'll bet that's a relief. Any idea then why the pencil test fails?

I have no idea! I was concerned when it wouldn't move the pencil, but it fires live ammo reliably.
wyntrout
08-19-2021, 06:06 PM
Some pencils are too soft and they don't resist the firing pin enough to launch the pencil into the air, I use a plastic rod, but that won't fly, either, if the pin strikes a hole or much battered portion of the plastic rod. You can maybe try a plastic Bic pen or something that fits.
getsome
08-19-2021, 06:29 PM
Hi Byrd, welcome to the forum……Your post got me curious, my PM9 is 5 years old with maybe 600 or so trouble free rounds with never a FTF…..I have never pulled the slide apart and removed the firing pin and only done the spray out thing but I tried the pencil test and got the same result you did so it doesn’t seem to be an issue……I’m glad your pistol worked at the range with live ammo which is all that counts…….Again welcome, glad you found us……
Bawanna
08-19-2021, 08:08 PM
Must be a defective pencil?
dao
08-19-2021, 08:48 PM
Must be a defective pencil?

Well, there's the problem!
Covert Kahr
08-19-2021, 10:03 PM
I use a 20.00 laser trainer insert. No laser if striker doesn’t hit hard enough on the button.
Bawanna
08-19-2021, 10:48 PM
Ooops!! Make sure the gun is unloaded before performing the pencil test........................







Just tugging your chain.
Byrd
08-20-2021, 07:16 AM
Yep, it's beyond me, which is why I put the question to you guys. I guess cleaning all the crud out did something. I don't know, just glad it runs!
dao
08-20-2021, 09:11 AM
Wait, did I miss something? You cleaned out some crud, took it to the range and it worked fine? Did you retry the pencil test after cleaning it, either before or since the range trip?
tokuno
08-20-2021, 09:15 AM
Mine fails the pencil test, too, but fires fine. We have zillions (Costco-quantity *shrug* they were on sale) of new wood pencils - I'll try again with the wood end of one of those . . . eventually.
wyntrout
08-21-2021, 12:14 AM
The eraser end doesn't work... usually! A cheap non-retractable ballpoint pen works with the non-writing in first. Take the cap off too.

I use a .380 fired cartridge in my .40 S&W. That flies!
jeepster09
08-25-2021, 01:34 PM
I HAD A WHOLE DIFFERENT IMAGE WHEN YOU MENTIONED "PENCIL TEST " :cool:
https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article7212594.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/PAY-Breast-Challenge.jpg

Then we also need to see the erasers....
yqtszhj
08-25-2021, 06:12 PM
I HAD A WHOLE DIFFERENT IMAGE WHEN YOU MENTIONED "PENCIL TEST " :cool:
https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article7212594.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/PAY-Breast-Challenge.jpg

This picture makes me miss Itxi. So in remembrance I’ll just say, “boob$ too big.”