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PPS 5weeks CCW (BACKSTRAP fix) NOW WITH LINK TO PIX's
8/23/2011 10:54:20 PM
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1498521441218.44852.1779621320&l=6473542e6a&type=1
I cant really say i have a range report, i have shot about 80 rounds in one range visit...but it was with the small backstrap, and was fair but not great..was pulling all my shots right.......
What this post is really about is the backstrap safety.
I bought this Used PPS over a new Ruger LCR 357 because of all the positive post here and elsewere...and i can see why ,its a great everyday carry piece...but i had the misfortune of not checking the backstrap at the Fun STORE before purchasing...i should of ,its a 4k production run model and by my research showed was a good run....still should of checked...but the large backstrap which was on the gun when purchased didn't stay on after i tried the smaller one...hence my range experience (larger one fit me way better) so anyways i later fixed the backstrap by melting in a deeper "catch" for the hold...and it seemed to work for 4 weeks, till yesterday when i was cleaning out my garage (all day job ) at one point i had to move its position and i noticed it seemed wider...the backstrap had popped up but not off ...this means "unfireable"..I put it back on the right way and continued..figuring i must of hit it some how
....but later i checked and it had popped up again...now I'm totally miffed....like when you find out your not getting what you want for Xmas miffed.
well iv read how some have "glued" and some have siliconed theirs in place...and nether seemed to be as POSITIVE as id like the retention..so after some study of whats what in the strap area i put a pin in it...now its POSITIVELY not going anywhere unless i want it to.
Ill get the particulars if anyone would like to do this, but here is the quick and dirty
drilled a hole right at the bottom line up dimple (its perfect position, and its easy to know just were to drill other backstraps)
then i put the backstrap on inserted the mag and wrapped the pistol with 4 heavy rubberbands...this was to tighten up the space that was present in my backstrap and keep everything aligned to drill the frame...which i squared up and stopped when i felt it hit metal...then flip over and repeat.
next remove bands,mag and backstrap..look closely at "safety bar" bottom slants down this section you will notice were the drill hit it...i took a diamond round bur and a dremill tool and made a notch to align the drill hole (this is were it really retains the mechanism in this method) then i re inserted the backstrap and mag then wrapped in bands again and redrilled the holes...but straight threw this time. then pushed the lock pin threw....BADABING!!!!! confidence restored!!!
Its very easy when you have the right tools and you take your time...me took about 20min but i do this kinda thing A LOT
I cant really say i have a range report, i have shot about 80 rounds in one range visit...but it was with the small backstrap, and was fair but not great..was pulling all my shots right.......
What this post is really about is the backstrap safety.
I bought this Used PPS over a new Ruger LCR 357 because of all the positive post here and elsewere...and i can see why ,its a great everyday carry piece...but i had the misfortune of not checking the backstrap at the Fun STORE before purchasing...i should of ,its a 4k production run model and by my research showed was a good run....still should of checked...but the large backstrap which was on the gun when purchased didn't stay on after i tried the smaller one...hence my range experience (larger one fit me way better) so anyways i later fixed the backstrap by melting in a deeper "catch" for the hold...and it seemed to work for 4 weeks, till yesterday when i was cleaning out my garage (all day job ) at one point i had to move its position and i noticed it seemed wider...the backstrap had popped up but not off ...this means "unfireable"..I put it back on the right way and continued..figuring i must of hit it some how
....but later i checked and it had popped up again...now I'm totally miffed....like when you find out your not getting what you want for Xmas miffed.well iv read how some have "glued" and some have siliconed theirs in place...and nether seemed to be as POSITIVE as id like the retention..so after some study of whats what in the strap area i put a pin in it...now its POSITIVELY not going anywhere unless i want it to.
Ill get the particulars if anyone would like to do this, but here is the quick and dirty
drilled a hole right at the bottom line up dimple (its perfect position, and its easy to know just were to drill other backstraps)
then i put the backstrap on inserted the mag and wrapped the pistol with 4 heavy rubberbands...this was to tighten up the space that was present in my backstrap and keep everything aligned to drill the frame...which i squared up and stopped when i felt it hit metal...then flip over and repeat.
next remove bands,mag and backstrap..look closely at "safety bar" bottom slants down this section you will notice were the drill hit it...i took a diamond round bur and a dremill tool and made a notch to align the drill hole (this is were it really retains the mechanism in this method) then i re inserted the backstrap and mag then wrapped in bands again and redrilled the holes...but straight threw this time. then pushed the lock pin threw....BADABING!!!!! confidence restored!!!
Its very easy when you have the right tools and you take your time...me took about 20min but i do this kinda thing A LOT
8/23/2011 11:27:30 PM
No issues with my PPS. I know some are using grip sleeves(limbsaver?). I'm not sure I would be comfortable drilling and dremeling on this part. Perhaps a call to S&W/Walther could make this right?
8/23/2011 11:46:23 PM
i would of if the design was better...but metal holding polomyer under tention isnt a great idea...both parts , the frame and the backstrap need to have "metal" lips for this design to be near fool proof.
its kinda like driving with out emergancy brakes (that work)in a car....and if you have a car that loses the main brakes...you understand the need.
its kinda like driving with out emergancy brakes (that work)in a car....and if you have a car that loses the main brakes...you understand the need.
8/31/2011 7:35:39 AM
I've been seriously looking at the PSS lately and I have to say this issue with the grip panels disabling the gun is the one thing that concerns me. This doesn't seem like a bad solution but I wonder if there is anyway to completely remove or disable this "safety"?
8/31/2011 6:32:19 PM
Air...the way i did it pretty much "LOCKS" the safety bar with a pin.....will not engage with out pushing the pin out...alot like how the backstrap on an XDm is held....i did worry about flex when shooting so i aligned the "pin bar" to catch the safety bar on one end...not drilled threw.
to "lock" for storage i just push/pull the pin out and remove backstrap to store in a safe state...its the best of both worlds.
to "lock" for storage i just push/pull the pin out and remove backstrap to store in a safe state...its the best of both worlds.
8/31/2011 7:20:29 PM
I'd like to see some pics of what you did.
I can't believe that this issue has not been addressed by S&W
I love my PPS (I have two in 9mm) and though I have not had an issue it is on my mind since it's my off duty gun and I likely won't have a backup with me.
I can't believe that this issue has not been addressed by S&W
I love my PPS (I have two in 9mm) and though I have not had an issue it is on my mind since it's my off duty gun and I likely won't have a backup with me.
9/1/2011 7:40:42 AM
Originally Posted By tommytomaso:
Air...the way i did it pretty much "LOCKS" the safety bar with a pin.....will not engage with out pushing the pin out...alot like how the backstrap on an XDm is held....i did worry about flex when shooting so i aligned the "pin bar" to catch the safety bar on one end...not drilled threw.
to "lock" for storage i just push/pull the pin out and remove backstrap to store in a safe state...its the best of both worlds.
Air...the way i did it pretty much "LOCKS" the safety bar with a pin.....will not engage with out pushing the pin out...alot like how the backstrap on an XDm is held....i did worry about flex when shooting so i aligned the "pin bar" to catch the safety bar on one end...not drilled threw.
to "lock" for storage i just push/pull the pin out and remove backstrap to store in a safe state...its the best of both worlds.
Tommy - I'm a visual learner so if you could post some pics of the mod, I would greatly appreciate it!
9/3/2011 11:40:39 AM
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1498521441218.44852.1779621320&l=6473542e6a&type=1
OK...i posted pix on my facebook page...here is a link..it should work even if you dont have an account.
9/3/2011 10:45:13 PM
Man I wish both of mine where pinned..... I don't have the skill to attempt that on my own gun
9/3/2011 11:01:28 PM
Ill do the work,mail it to my work... 65.00 you cover shipping .
9/3/2011 11:09:38 PM
I don't see how the back strap can come off with mag inserted. I have PPS 9mm.
9/3/2011 11:49:57 PM
my experience they will not come "off" but they do pop up which makes the gun unfireable....which is bad...lucky that Walther put that red dot on the back of the slde...red for dead = ) its a great indicator when things are amiss.
Having seen the issue in my pistol just makes it hard to trust unless something more positive is done...so thats what i did.
Even if you never had an issue i wouldn't put money down that you wont ....even if the backstrap has never been removed..a sharp steel catch bar catching a polymer lip under pressure is a week point. the mechanism is under a fair amount of pressure id guess 8 to 10bs though it feels like 20 because of the angles to manipulate it.
Having seen the issue in my pistol just makes it hard to trust unless something more positive is done...so thats what i did.
Even if you never had an issue i wouldn't put money down that you wont ....even if the backstrap has never been removed..a sharp steel catch bar catching a polymer lip under pressure is a week point. the mechanism is under a fair amount of pressure id guess 8 to 10bs though it feels like 20 because of the angles to manipulate it.
9/4/2011 10:14:49 AM
tommy - thanks for the pics and write up. This is awesome!
ETA - This probably isn't critical but can you listed the exact size pin and drill bit you used? Thanks again!
ETA - This probably isn't critical but can you listed the exact size pin and drill bit you used? Thanks again!
9/4/2011 10:44:39 AM
Originally Posted By airgunner:
tommy - thanks for the pics and write up. This is awesome!
ETA - This probably isn't critical but can you listed the exact size pin and drill bit you used? Thanks again!
tommy - thanks for the pics and write up. This is awesome!
ETA - This probably isn't critical but can you listed the exact size pin and drill bit you used? Thanks again!
will do..im not back to work till tuesday...but i did write all the info down...and it is good info to have...i undersized the dill hole to make the pin fit tight.
VERY IMPORTANT...not to try and drill straight threw...the drill when intersects with safety bar wil break because it will try and walk off the edge ...thats why i used the diamond bur to make a notch.
9/6/2011 6:52:58 PM
UPDATED INFO in OP link = )
