Problem Re-Assembling PT 709

[Aubrey]

Hello (first timer to the forum),

About six months ago I bought a PT 709 SS. At that time I was able to load, cycle and eject rounds. However, a few days ago I field stripped it to oil it (I had been carrying it concealed for some time without firing it).

When I re-assembled it, the slide would only retract about half way, and I have been unable to figure out why. I have searched the forum and read entries regarding recoil spring problems, but my assembly looks correct to me (except that the spring looks kind of curvy compared to the pictures). I have seated the recoil assambly according to the pictures on this forum as well as the manual, and it seems to require the usual pressure for insertion. To the best of my knowledge, I have completed all the other re-assembly steps correctly.

That said -- is there another fundamental step I am missing? If not, do I have a recoil spring problem?

Thanks in advance for any help y'all can provide.

Aubrey

[USN2Pulpit]

May I ask, have you ever engaged the Taurus Safety System with the provided key - and if so, did you do it "by the book?"

[Wino]

Is the magazine out?? Slide will hang up on reinstall with mag in place. Been there, done that.

[bre346]

The 709 guys will have you going in a moment.

My concern is far different. I worry that your not showing good sense by carrying a new untried untested unreliable firearm.

Please, Aubrey, go shoot that thing 300 times and prove to yourself that you can count on that sweet gun saving your life if it has to.

By then you'll be familiar with the care and feeding of it and be fully confident of your daily carry weapon.

[Aubrey]

Thank you all for responses -- it's nice to be in a forum where people are friendly and helpful. That said:

USN2Pulpit -- no, I have never engaged the safety system. I have no children, and though my wife does not share my concerns regarding the need for personal protection, I trust that she will not handle my weapons without me, so I did not see the need.

Wino -- All of my issues have arisen with the magazine ejected and located far from the weapon. That's SOP when I clean my guns.

bre346 -- You are 100% right and I know it, and thank you for saying it again. Unfortunately (see above) I have a spouse who does not share our priorities -- and, even though she supported me getting my CCL (probably because a friend paid the fee, just so I would go with him), she does not understand the need for range testing and practice, much less stocking up the amount of ammo that I want to have for my various guns.

All that said (and thanks again to all of you) -- what do you think I should I do? I'm happy to order a new recoil spring assembly (or 3 or 4) from Taurus just to see if that fixes the problem. I have not found a place to do so online, though I have a phone number.

Thanks once more for your help -- and, bre346, I promise to get this weapon to the range as soon as I get it fixed -- thx for the kick in the pants I needed

Aubrey

[Robby]

It might be time to call, Taurus Customer Service number at 1-800-327-3776

However, like all Taurus semi auto tilt barrel guns,

1. Replace the barrel in the slidepushing it to the rearward position.2. Insert the spring/guide rod subassembly into the slide over the barrel,compressing the spring slightly to get it into position.3. The SLIDE should be mounted onthe frame and pulled fully to the rear andthe SLIDE CATCH must be moved upward to hold the SLIDE to the rear.4. The SLIDE should be mounted onthe frame and pulled fully to the rear andthe SLIDE CATCH must be movedupward to hold the SLIDE to the rear.5. You should cycle the SLIDE severaltimes, with no magazine inserted and norounds in the chamber, to insure that thebarrel / slide / frame relationship is correct.

Yes I know you said you checked, but those are the manual directions. I know that 3 and 4 are identical, I just noticed it today.

[Aubrey]

Robby,

Thanks for your response. I do think it is time to call CS. Thanks for the phone number -- the one I found was different, and not toll-free.

I really want to get this weapon fixed and then range-tested. Carrying concealed in Texas can be a challenge (in the summer, at least), and the 709 seems to be a good compromise (which is why I bought it in the first place, of course). At first I tried carrying my standby SIG P226, but just could not make it work when wearing shorts and a t-shirt.

Anyway, thanks again -- I'll call them and get this resolved. Also, since you are a moderator, I'll add my thanks for your work on this site in general -- it's awesome.

Aubrey

[Aubrey]

Hey, y'all --

I just wanted to let you know that I called CS, and they were amazingly helpful. They sent me a new recoil assembly for free, and it works like a charm.

More importantly, I wanted to thank all of you again for your wonderful help. As I said before, it's a blessing to find a forum group where even newbies like me are treated with respect and given the help they need. I truly appreciate you and all you do here.

Anyway, thanks again, and please keep on doing what you are doing.

Aubrey

[Peacemakr40]

Glad CS was able to get you squared away. There's all sorts of ranges up your way so you can put lead down range. I know with the 709SS I picked up, it was impregnated with Taurus' patented Adhesive/lubricant that I believe is the mutant offspring of Cosmoline and flypaper. I made the mistake of just a field strip and clean and then tried to shoot it.. I had quite a few failures. This is critical to know if you're carrying it without actual field trials. Take the time to put a few hundred rounds down range. Note how it shoots, the recoil and how you handle it. As odd as it sounds, I'm getting more joy out of shooting my 709 than I am out of my PT1911.