IAI Javelina issues.

triggerhappy2006 · October 20, 2012, 10:50 AM

Alright so through enough poking around I learned that the IAI(AMT) Javelina and similar series pistols, the slides and frames are made from the exact same grade of stainless steel, which will lead to the slide and frame creating a large amount of friction between each other which will possibly result in the frame and slide welding together in small spots then cracking or at minimum poor weapon performance. So last night I attempted to remedy the situation by using some toothpaste on the rails and working the slide for a while, I will be going to the range today to test the results.

triggerhappy2006 · October 20, 2012, 05:36 PM

Alright so after 50 rounds through the gun, rapid fire, slow fire, and hammered pairs. No malfunctions to report and amazing accuracy. The only remaining problem is when I manually rack the slide, it seems to bind up towards the end of the cycle, the only solution I can think of is to cut the spring or order a shorter one. Let me know what everyone thinks.

Carne Frio · October 20, 2012, 11:20 PM

So the gun functions fine and you are thinking
of altering the recoil spring ? What will that do
for you ? My Javalina is also a hard pull but not
much more than for my Delta. It might have
been engineered that way for a reason.

WC145 · October 21, 2012, 03:00 AM

If it has a recoil buffer get rid of it, otherwise, if it works, don't fix it.

Also, the factory recommended white lithium grease to prevent galling. If you wanted to spend the money to have it hard chromed that would keep it from ever happening.

g.willikers · October 21, 2012, 10:12 AM

The only reason to shorten a recoil spring would be if it's too long to begin.
Like the coils are stacking tight at full recoil and making themselves into a bushing or long spacer, instead of a spring.
Springs are designed to work together as a system.
Messing with any one can cause unintended consequences and turn a good shooter into a jammer.
So far, it sounds like the problem you are describing is largely imaginary.
If there's no obvious evidence that this is happening, don't sweat it.

pete2 · October 26, 2012, 04:47 PM

If you keep the gun lubed and clean you shouldn't have a problem with it seizing. I've seen it happen on a 1911 that had a steel slide and SS frame. It was a tight fit and run dry. We had to use a soft hammer to get the slide off. I dressed the rough spots off and it was ok.

October 20, 2012, 10:50 AM	#1
triggerhappy2006 Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2006 Location: peoples republic of new york Posts: 441	IAI Javelina issues. Alright so through enough poking around I learned that the IAI(AMT) Javelina and similar series pistols, the slides and frames are made from the exact same grade of stainless steel, which will lead to the slide and frame creating a large amount of friction between each other which will possibly result in the frame and slide welding together in small spots then cracking or at minimum poor weapon performance. So last night I attempted to remedy the situation by using some toothpaste on the rails and working the slide for a while, I will be going to the range today to test the results. __________________ "We make the voices go away"

October 20, 2012, 05:36 PM	#2
triggerhappy2006 Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2006 Location: peoples republic of new york Posts: 441	Alright so after 50 rounds through the gun, rapid fire, slow fire, and hammered pairs. No malfunctions to report and amazing accuracy. The only remaining problem is when I manually rack the slide, it seems to bind up towards the end of the cycle, the only solution I can think of is to cut the spring or order a shorter one. Let me know what everyone thinks. __________________ "We make the voices go away"

October 21, 2012, 03:00 AM	#4
WC145 Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2008 Location: Downeast Maine Posts: 1,292	If it has a recoil buffer get rid of it, otherwise, if it works, don't fix it. Also, the factory recommended white lithium grease to prevent galling. If you wanted to spend the money to have it hard chromed that would keep it from ever happening. __________________ If you're going to be dumb you'd better be tough. Stupid hurts.

October 21, 2012, 10:12 AM	#5
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 2,536	The only reason to shorten a recoil spring would be if it's too long to begin. Like the coils are stacking tight at full recoil and making themselves into a bushing or long spacer, instead of a spring. Springs are designed to work together as a system. Messing with any one can cause unintended consequences and turn a good shooter into a jammer. So far, it sounds like the problem you are describing is largely imaginary. If there's no obvious evidence that this is happening, don't sweat it. __________________ Lock the doors, they're coming in the windows.

October 20, 2012, 11:20 PM	#3
Carne Frio Senior Member Join Date: August 28, 2008 Location: Near Fairbanks Alaska Posts: 670	So the gun functions fine and you are thinking of altering the recoil spring ? What will that do for you ? My Javalina is also a hard pull but not much more than for my Delta. It might have been engineered that way for a reason.

October 26, 2012, 04:47 PM	#6
pete2 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 415	If you keep the gun lubed and clean you shouldn't have a problem with it seizing. I've seen it happen on a 1911 that had a steel slide and SS frame. It was a tight fit and run dry. We had to use a soft hammer to get the slide off. I dressed the rough spots off and it was ok.