Beretta 84 problem

C

cdoc42

New member
I dismantled my .380 auto model 84 Beretta without a problem, cleaned it, and have spent at least an hour trying to get it back together again. I read the manual; watched 2 web sites that explain how to do it. I kept the magazine out. I had the trigger cocked and in fired position - doesn't matter.

I have the recoil spring guide in the appropriate notch and the barrel is in its correct position. Neither protrudes from the front of the gun.

When I slide the unit back onto the pistol, the barrel and slide move to the rear, but the guide rod protrudes from the front of the pistol. I can slide the latch closed but the slide cannot be moved back to engage the slide lock so that the action is in the full open position

I am absolutely at a loss to figure out why the guide rod doesn't stay flush with the barrel as I slide it into position to turn the latch to lock it.

Any suggestions?
 
Try pushing the muzzle end against a solid object, such as a table top, until the slide moves into it's proper position.
 
I'm able to push the slide back until the end meets a slight angle near the hammer. The problem is the guide rod sticks out at that point, and when I close the latch, it stays out and the barrel is not protruding. I tried to turn the recoil spring around - that didn't work.
 
I use a variation of PSP's advice. I use my thumb to push back on the muzzle as I put the slide back on. It doesn't seem like you are doing anything, but without pressure there the barrel moves a minute amount and keeps things from lining up correctly. Yes, I know I shouldn't put my thumb in front of the muzzle, and I should treat every pistol as if it is loaded, in this case it is not only loaded but disassembled, and there is no possible way of having a discharge.
 
Try pressing the gun muzzle-down into a surface that's firm but with a little yield to it, such as a paperback book or a piece of cardboard sitting on a tabletop. Rock the gun forward such that the top edge of the barrel and the top of the slide just under the front sight are contacting the surface, but not the guide rod. This puts pressure on the barrel and allows you to tweak the position of the slide "just so" until the takedown latch can snick into place.

Double-check that you have the guide rod in the correct barrel notch. It should rest in the small semicircular notch and NOT against the large lug. It's very easy to put the guide rod in the wrong spot, which will cause the guide rod to hang up in the frame and prevent the takedown latch from turning.

FWIW I love the Series 81 but I consider them categorically difficult to put together compared to many other centerfire pistols. There are several subtle ways to assemble the barrel and guide rod incorrectly.
 
Nothing is working. Rod has always been in the proper notch; anywhere else it jumps out of position. No matter what I do, the slide and barrel end up right where they should be, but about 0.400"of recoil spring guide rod protrudes from under the barrel. I don't hear anything moving out of position as the barrel, spring, rod and slide are all placed in position and moved to locked status. I checked for a contact email at Beretta's website but no luck other than 14 pages of FAQ, none of which discussed my problem. I guess a trip to a service center is next. Thanks for all your help and advice.
 
You just don't have the barrel installed into the slide correctly. Go to youtube and watch some videos, you should see how it's done.
 
I did- I watched two of them. Everything on those tutorials was like a drop in the bucket. The manual says the key to barrel installation is to be sure the extractor sits in the proper location, and it looks to me like I've got that right. If I put pressure on the muzzle as suggested here, nothiung happens.

I get the impression that the guide rod slips out of the notch as the slide and barrel move back. That's the only explanation I have for why the rod sticks out when the barrel is in the right position.
 
If that means a lot of rounds fired, no - I doubt I have fired more than 300 rounds through it. If it means magazine capacity, = 13.
 
OK, I'm back now that I've had a chance to dig a pistol out of the safe and prepare some visual aids. :)

The end of the guide rod fits through a "U" shaped recess in the frame, as shown in the first picture. Here, the takedown latch is in the disassembled or horizontal position.

When the takedown latch is turned into the assembled vertical position, the end of the guide rod is cammed out of engagement with the barrel, and rests against the front (flat) side of the latch. This is shown in the second picture. (The rounded back side of the latch jams the barrel in place.)

When the takedown latch is rotated to the disassembled position, the guide rod is cammed slightly forward, and the back end of the rod pops back into the barrel notch. The guide rod is supposed to protrude from the slide slightly with the latch in this position, but by less than 1/4"±.

I think that one of two things is happening with your pistol.
  • The guide rod is not seated properly in the barrel notch, and is hanging up in the "U"-shaped frame recess. If the guide rod protrudes more than 1/4"±, this is your problem.
  • The guide rod doesn't want to disengage from the barrel notch because of its crisp and sharp brand-new edges, tight barrel fit, and nice new strong recoil spring. If this is the case, you need to turn the takedown latch with more force, provided you are SURE that the rear of the slide is perfectly aligned with the frame. Oiling the front side of the barrel lug and the faces of the takedown latch may help. The takedown latch should become more cooperative as the pistol is fired more and loosens up.
The reason for the high round count question: when the pistol is fired, the slide slams into the front of the "U" in the frame. This gradually flattens the aluminum frame, which can cause the back end of the guide rod to hang up in the recess rather than passing through. If this is the case, the trick is to clean up the inside of the "U" with a file until the guide rod can pass through freely.
 

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Carguychris, you've nailed it! I've wondered why the head of the recoil rod (looks like a nail head for those who don't know) seemed not to fit through the opening in the U-shaped stop before it might enter the area just ahead of the latch lock, which would take up the 0.400" inch of rod that presently protrudes. I also wondered how it might get knocked out of the "divit" it sits in, but with your photos I can see that the "divit" ends up in the area behind the U-shaped stop and in front of the lockdown latch, leaving the rod guide head stopped by the back of the U-shaped stop.

So the culprit is discovered. I will look closely for burrs or whatever the barrier is to he complete movement of the rod guide head through the U-shaped opening.

Thanks so much!
 
I agree, tsilik!

I just finished deburring and slightly expanding the "U" shaped frame access. The head of the rod guide simply would not fit through that U at all. I used a Dremel tool, small round file and fine steel wool on a cotton tipped applicator, opened the U-access just enough so the head of the rod fit through; put it back together so nicely you'd think I made the two videos I watched.

So thanks to everyone for your thoughts and opinions, and, of course, especially carguychris for the photos and ultimate solution.
 
Good job...
I would just add that over on the Berettaforum, there are a lot of Beretta 84 fans, and a lot of info.
Mine is an 84F, and I love it.
 
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