[Thiokol]

I have a .22 caliber PP with a safety lever issue. This is my first rimfire Walther PP. The date code is HI which puts it at 1978.

The safety lever will not rotate down. It doesn't appear that anything is broken. I took a Glock tool and moved the firing pin all the way forward and only then would the safety lever rotate down. Any suggestions on what the issue may be and how to fix it?

 

[Redcat94]

The first thing that I would do is remove the firing pin and safety lever for a visual inspection of the parts.

Here's a link to an American Rifleman article written by a former forum member that should help you with disassembly. I keep a hard copy printed out.

An Official Journal Of The NRA | Four Rules for Disassembly of Walther PP-Series Pistols

When it comes to getting inside Walther PP-series pistols, Michael J. Parker, a former Interarms vice president, has learned a thing or four. If you want to detail strip your Walther, read this first.

www.americanrifleman.org

 

[Thiokol]

I followed the instructions and, while I can move the safety lever as instructed, it will not come out. So I contacted Earl's for advice and will most likely end up sending the slide to him.

 

[Thiokol]

I finally was able to completely disassemble the slide, clean it, and fire a full mag. It fired & ejected without any issues but the safety lever will still not rotate to the "safe"position. Any suggestions on what the problem may be. I've called Earl's but there is no answer and he hasn't responded to my email.

 

[Redcat94]

You didn't see any burrs or anything that might be catching? Would the safety rotate in the slide with the firing pin removed?

They was a post recently that Earl had a medical emergency of some sort and was in the hospital.

 

[Thiokol]

You didn't see any burrs or anything that might be catching? Would the safety rotate in the slide with the firing pin removed?

They was a post recently that Earl had a medical emergency of some sort and was in the hospital.

There were no burrs and the safety moved freely with the the firing pin removed.

 

[Thiokol]

They was a post recently that Earl had a medical emergency of some sort and was in the hospital.

Do you know of a competent gunsmith who is familiar with the PP series?

 

[Redcat94]

You could try Mike McClellan. He's the gunsmith MGMike always used to recommend.

www.mmgunsmith.com

 

[Thiokol]

You could try Mike McClellan. He's the gunsmith MGMike always used to recommend.

www.mmgunsmith.com

Many thanks!!!

 

[ViperR]

Now try it with the FP removed and the extractor, plungers & spring installed. If it rotates correctly and properly clicks in both positions, then there is an issue with the locking end of the FP or safety drum. Maybe a burr. If it doesn't rotate, the issue is in the engagement between the plunger and drum.

 

[ViperR]

On the extractor/safety area to make clear if that's where it's binding. Have to factor out the engagements to be clear. This is a step by step process removing parts little by little to determine. There is also the possibilty that the decock lever is binding or not proper. Remove that in your process as well while testing.
Oh, make sure your plungers are correctly placed. The pointed end at the drum. Step end (correctly) at the extractor.
Been working on the PP, PPK & PPK/s series for years.

 

[Thiokol]

Thanks for the suggestions. I've tried all of that and disassembled & reassembled 3 or 4 times. I finally dropped it off at Gibbs Custom Gunsmithing to see if he can figure it out. I'll post the results when I get the pistol back.

 

[Thiokol]

I received a call from my gunsmith this morning telling me that my PP was fixed and ready to be picked up. It turns out that the internal portion of the safety lever was bent somehow. It's all fixed and works just fine. The turnaround time of 48 hours is impressive.

 

[Redcat94]

Thanks for the update. I'm glad to hear your PP was repaired so quickly. I'll have to keep Gibbs Custom on my list for the future.

 

[Thiokol]

Thanks for the update. I'm glad to hear your PP was repaired so quickly. I'll have to keep Gibbs Custom on my list for the future.

I'm really impressed with the fast turnaround and the very reasonable charge.

 

[Redcat94]

I'm really impressed with the fast turnaround and the very reasonable charge.

Have you used their services before? How did they feel about taking on an old PP?

 

[Thiokol]

Have you used their services before? How did they feel about taking on an old PP?

This was my first experience with them but they came highly recommended by several of my shooting buddies. I also checked out their Google reviews and was very impressed with what I saw. My PP was made in 1978 but I saw an old PP in their case for sale for $400.00 so I'm sure that they aren't new to the Walther PP series.