[roadie]

Just received my 1919A4 and am attempting to field strip it. I've read the tutorials and have several good books but I'm stuck on moving the cover latch forward to remove the backplate. It will not move far enough forward to clear the backplate. What am I missing? Don't want to force anything.

 

[Hillbilly]

Mine does take a little force. Rubber mallet.

Seriously, it is tight.

 

[roadie]

There's a small button on the top of the cover latch under the sight. What is it's purpose?

 

[Sniper258]

that buttton is the rivet that holds the spring on

 

[roadie]

Can't seem to find any drawings of the cover latch internals in my manuals. What holds the latch on and how is it removed from the receiver?

 

[bigblock]

If you have the back plate off hit it with a rubber mallet toward the back of the receiver. theres a total of two detents that the spring needs to clear. trust me you can force it!

 

[roadie]

Thanks gents. I thought that may be the workings. I'll give're a wack.

 

[Armorer]

Nobody mentioned it and you probably did it anyway but open the top cover before attempting to move the latch forward.

 

[Lucky#13]

Amen to Armorer's point above. One other way to move the latch forward is to use a screw driver (carefully) and apply pressure behind the lever's handle, using the front of the sight bracket as the fulcrum. Most top plates will show scratches from a screw driver where soldiers used this method. If done carefully, using apiece of rag to insulate the screwdriver from the metal, you can do this easily without marring the finish of the gun.

 

[roadie]

Thanks guys, used the lever trick on the front of the sight and worked great. All is out and working on cleaning. BTW, finally got Lem's shuttle working, yea buddy! 3000 rds in new belts in 1 hour. Better than sliced bread. Can't wait to run her, but more homework to do.