Pistols > Model HSC Pistol
Interarms HSc Slide Locking & Mag Seating Problems
Newbergian:
I was recently given an Interarms Mauser HSc .380 and I love this thoughtfully elegant gun! I stripped, cleaned and oiled it and went to the range. It feels perfect in my grip and shoots really nice. However, it seems to have a couple of problems and so I come to the forum for your thoughts.
Issue#1: Slide does not lock back after firing last of 7 rounds and clip is empty. However it will then lock back if I rack it back. (and no, no limp wrist-ing going on here)
Issue#2: If I rack back with no mag installed the slide will lock back and then, as it should, slide shut when the mag is inserted. If I rack back with an empty mag inserted the slide will lock back, however, it will snap shut unexpectedly if the bottom of the mag is tapped. Fortunately I discovered this without loosing any digits! I notice that the bottom of the mag does not sit/seat flush to the bottom of the grip as I see in photos of other HSc’s. Rather, there is a .040 inch gap. Pushing on the mag will close the gap with a springy action and it then returns to the .040 gap position. Looking in the breach I can see the magazine is in contact with the lever that I think Warbird refers to as the magazine safety and it is providing the springy-ness.
It seems as if the magazine catch is not properly capturing and pushing the mag fully into the gun. Yet the catch spring tension feels robust and I don’t see any obvious issues with the catch or the magazine metal-work. And .040 is quite a bit of extra play.
I’m flummoxed !
I could take this to a gunsmith, and I may get there yet, but it’s not your typical gun and a lot of folks talk like they’re familiar with the gun and no problem they’ll fix it. But based on a few of their comments about how the gun is supposed to operate, I suspect they’re just blowing smoke, so to speak. So perhaps someone here can set me on the right path.
Warbird:
Both your issues could be related to the same source that I have seen before. In that case, an incorrect or after-market Magazine was being used. So let's get the easiest solution out of the way first. Is the Magazine an original Mauser with the logo stamped on the bottom Floorplate? Then, does the Magazine Latch fit easily into the cutout in the Magazine Floorplate?
If those two things are OK, you will have to take off one of the Grip Panels and look for obvious play in the Magazine Latch Pin and/or incorrect seating of the Hammer Strut in the Latch. As you might imagine, I think your observations are accurate and the Slide closure issue is probably related to the Magazine not seating correctly ... that's why I want you to look for something in the Latch mechanism.
Let me know what you find or question about all this.
Newbergian:
Warbird: Thank you for the response and your interest. Based on what I’ve learned from your other posts, the mag looks original and the floorplate and cutout appear in good condition.
See photos showing the inserted mag with its protruding .040 inches and not fully engaged with the magazine safety lever.
I have 8 related photos and see that I can only attach 4 per post so I will do this (attach photos) in two posts. Except I keep getting an error msg to contact the forum administrator or some such thing so instead I will try giving you a Share Link to the photos in my cloud account and see if that works. :
https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=BAB8F430C55D40E5!20950&authkey=!AJCza4XDadBQllM&ithint=folder%2cJPG
The mag catch does not seem to be driving the mag all the way into the gun. Hopefully the photos and your experience will provide an answer as to why…? It is as if the notch in the ‘heel’ of the catch is too shallow and is stopping the catch from pivoting forward sufficiently to push the mag properly into the gun.
I can see the end of the hammer strut sticking thru and into the magazine catch and I don’t understand the functioning relationship of these two parts.
If you suspect something is incorrect with the magazine catch, please tell me what you can about disassembly because it looks like the hammer spring and such could make the disassembly/assembly difficult.
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration and sorry for the photo problem. I tried to attach 4 photos each sized at 1024x800 pixels and none larger than 600kB but the post was rejected.
Warbird:
From what I can see on your photos, it looks like the Magazine Latch has been filed away on the underside for some reason so the Magazine is not pushed upward enough. Here is a photo on eBay that shows a Latch as part of a group. You can scan over it for a larger view:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mauser-HSC-32-ACP-rebuild-kit-/301787373441?hash=item4643eddf81:g:kp4AAOSwtlhWFedX
Does it appear that way to you? If it does then you will have to get a replacement Latch off eBay or GunBroker. You should be able to lift the Hammer Strut enough to clear the Latch and it will drop out (or drive the Latch Pin out of the Frame). Of course, take the tension off the Mainspring by uncocking the Hammer.
Let me know if my observation is correct when you make the comparison to the eBay picture.
Newbergian:
Warbird: Once again thanks for your continuing response.
I looked hard at the ebay link you posted but could not find the mag catch. I suspect you saw the sear at 12 oclock. But I took your cue and searched for HSc Mag Catch Release, Hammer strut assys, and such. Came up with many that look similar but none exactly like mine (I bit the bullet and disassembled it. Photo hopefully attached to this post). I'm guessing this is the difference between the pre-war and 1970 version that I have. The rectangular studs protruding .030 from both sides of the catch is a feature I have not been able to find in any photo or replacement part.
Based on examination of many photos and microscopic exam of my own Catch, I'd say it is not a modified item. But I still can't see why there is a problem with the clip/mag not being properly seated into the gun. The design looks unmodified and yet it is not (apparently) functioning correctly.
I sent a private msg to VWPIECES on this forum because he may have the identical gun and recently posted (and you responded) regarding some aspects of his piece. He may be able to shed some light on this....
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