My husband just bought me a used Jennings .380 auto. It didn't come with a manual. I need to know how to clean it entirely. My brother who knows a little about auto pistols took the handle off, the safety switch out, etc. but could not figure out how to remove the barrel to clean it. If anyone knows anything about this type gun or how to clean it, locate a manual any information is highly appreciated. T. Costanzo Please HELP?
Most .380 pistols use a fixed barrel. They do not come out like more powerful firearms. The relatively low power of the .380 cartridge allows for the spring tension and mass of the slide to keep the gun closed long enough for the pressures to drop. While not totally familiar with these inexpensive guns, check the back of the slide (under the rear sight) there may be a smaller plug like devise in the slide that houses the striker. Often times pressing this plug in and retracting the slide will allow the slide to lift off the frame. The recoil spring is probably wrapped around the barrel.
Unload it (natch). -Pull back the slide about 1/4". -Depress the takedown button in the rear of the slide.( ballpoint pen) -With the button depressed, move the rear of the slide back and up. -You can now pull the slide off from the front. The barrel is pinned to the frame. The takedown button, striker, and spring will fall out of the slide. That's pretty much it. Be damn careful about turning the frame over. Lots of little pieces-parts that are held in place by gravity alone. Rebuild is reverse of stripping.
Opaw, while I will not disagree with you, some folks don't have the cash for a Colt, Smith, Ruger, etc.
It's "Bryco" . . . Jennings. You might be able to download a manual online. Most gun mfgs have the manual available online. It's a straight blow-back. The barrel is attached to the receiver/frame. When you get the slide off, you'll be able to run a patch through the barrel.
Be sure to have a little stash of Q-Tips for getting in those nooks and crannies. Time your time with it, and continue to clean until the patches come up clean all over. Good luck cleaning, and maybe you should ask your hubby to sit down with you and help you out with the cleaning. Make it a "quality time" type deal.
Robocop and C3shooter are correct. You won't be able to get the barrel off, it's permanently attached to the frame. Unload and clear the gun. Aim it, and look at the end pointing at you. You'll see a button shaped like a keyhole. That's where you want to put the ink pen. You will likely have to dry fire it first, as the firing pin must be forward. Again, ensure that the gun is empty. That all said, understand that this gun is made as cheaply as possible. It won't make it through too many range visits, as it's primary purpose is self defense, not tons of practice. It's design and materials give it a pretty short shooting lifespan. So a suitable cleaning for this gun is an occaisional oiling/ wipedown, and keep free of pocket lint.
o hello. to take the slide off you must look at the back of the slide where your red firing indicator button sticks out and take a screwdriver and press in the black cylinder part that surrounds your red firing indicator button and pull your slide back and up it will then come off but becareful not to loose your sear pin and spring and your firingpin spring. wolfy1211
Welcome In! terri45fe I want to be the first to welcome to the forum, terri. From the post, they have moved you toward the take down of your Jennings. It may be a thing of need, self-defense, for your husband to buy this for you-BUT-around here we usually deal in honesty. The truth is that most any Jennings firearm is more likely to fail you, than protect you. If you ever are placed in the position of having to discharge a firearm in defense of yourself, or others, you want it to work-each and EVERY time. Jennings firearms DO NOT have a great track record of this happening. Stick around, and seek out advise from members of this forum for a solution to a Jennings .380.
