Strage problem with Makarov

[mblat]

I just brought home my new ( and first ) Bulgarian PM. I took it to the range and was impressed....
When I came home I change magazine springs and main recoil sprint to Wolff... 19 lb mainspring

Now I have a "small" problem.
Gun locks slide after last round just fine, EVERY TIME. I can also lock the slide by hand, no problem..... However, when I REMOVE the magazine, the slide drops.... ALWAYS.... with both magazines.

I am pretty sure that is not the way it suppose to work.

IF I hold the slide catch button WHILE removing the magazine and then, after magazine is removed, let it go, the slide stays locked.

During my range session I recall it slide dropping may be once or twice with original springs..... and I thought that it was user error.... but now with Wolffs springs it drops all the time....

Anybody had similar problem?

[Tallship]

Sounds like it may be a burr on the magazine. Taking out the magazine should not cause the slide release to depress.

[mblat]

Sounds like it may be a burr on the magazine. Taking out the magazine should not cause the slide release to depress.

Both magazines? K.... what do I need to look at?

[smle-man]

Replace the spring with the original. Does it do it then? If not then problem solved.

[D-FENS]

The slide catch may be worn down so that it doesn't engage fully. When you lift the catch by hand you lift it further than the magazine follower does.

BTW it's recommended that you slingshot the slide instead of pressing down on the catch to release the slide (the mag catch is pretty much the only common failure point on Makarovs).

[saki302]

I think D-FENS is correct- the slide catch isprobably worn enough that it was strong enough to hold with the pressure of the original mainspring, but can;t fight the 19# unit.

Also, the magazine may not be pressing the catch high enough so it's just barely catching- if you push it up a bit more with your hand and it works.

-Dave

[SDgarrick]

The Makarov is brilliantly reliable, why mess with a good thing?

[mblat]

I put all original springs back and it still does it.
Now I do not think that it has nothing to do with the springs. Not anymore. I think that 200 or so rounds that I put through in that session did something to the gun....
I have ordered new slide catch..... will see how it goes after I change it.