JayPee, I need help with my FEG safety

[rob52]

Here’s a question for JayPee, the FEG guru, and anyone else who might have a solution for my problem.

A few weeks ago I came across a FEG thumb safety, the kind that has an extended thumb pad that I really wish was produced in mass quantity. It appeared unused, nicely blued. I found it on ebay, believe it or not, listed as a Hi Power thumb safety. It’s certainly better than the aftermarket one that I’ve used. I dropped it into one of my Hi Powers and it functioned excellently.


Here’s my problem. I detail cleaned this Hi Power yesterday, and the little ball flew out of the safety with assistance from the strong spring. After searching for 20 minutes I finally found the ball. Now when I try to reassemble the spring and ball into the tunnel, the diameter of the opening has enlarged enough that it won’t hold the ball in place, making it difficult to reassemble the safety onto the pistol.


Have you run into this problem? Do you have any suggestions for a fix. I’ve thought about trying to peen the opening closed a bit, but this appears to be a difficult, if not drastic, solution.
 Any help is appreciated.


Rob

[jaypee]

Rob52 I've never had an experience like this. About the only advice I can give is to take a look at how the C&S safety works, for if I recall correctly, the ball and spring in their safety isn't restrained inside the assembly at all. I've seen comments urging caution in installing/disassembling it for that reason. Maybe some of the fellows who have installed the C&S safety can give you some advice on how to get your safety back in if you can't find a way to restrain the spring and ball permanently. The real question is will the safety function correctly if you succeed in getting it back in this way. This isn't much help, but it's something to look at in a worst case scenario.

Jaypee

[rob52]

JayPee,
Thank you. It is interesting that when I first received this safety, the little ball was held nicely in place despite the spring pressure--the opening had enough of a constriction to retain the ball. Last night when I couldn't return it to its original state, I made the mistake of sliding the little ball into the tunnel without the spring. There is still enough of a rim or constriction around the tunnel that it was XXXX to get the ball to come out. Oh well, that's life. Like computer problems, I'll have to find a work around.
Rob

[CXM]

When I assemble a HP I put a dollop of grease in the tunnel and then insesrt the parts... the grease seems to help hold stuff in... maybe that will be of help to you.

Bob Reed is really the expert on this... hopefully he will drop in and offer something better than what I have...

V/r

Chuck

[mightymouse]

Peening the hole in the safety with a roll pin punch works for me. (Done just as you would peen the right side hole in the frame for the trigger axis pin.)