[P7]

How-to: Polishing the LCP Barrel Feed Ramp & Chamber Entry

Can anyone tell me where I can find detailed directions on how to polish the feed ramp and chamber. I would also like directions on the fluff 'n buff procedure. I am tool challenged.

 

[kraigster414]

Re: Polishing the LCP Barrel Feed Ramp & Throat

P7, different folks have different techniques but what works for me, is to first polish the feedramp and chamber entry (not the end of the chamber where the rifling begins) with 400 or 600 grit wet/dry paper, back and forth several times. To get inside the chamber entry, wrap a piece of the wet/dry paper around a pencil or suitable size dowel. Afterwards, do the same thing with 1000 or 1200 grit wet/dry paper. 'Final step is to polish at medium speed with a Dremmel, FELT bullet tip and Flitz polishing compound - again, the feedramp and chamber entry. The goal is to polish NOT to take off metal or alter the geometry of the feedramp in any way. Polish to a high lustre and clean the barrel of all residue. With larger caliber guns, feedramp and chamber entry polishing comes under the heading of optional assuming the gun feeds, fires and extracts with no problems. In these little guns, where tolerances are tight and there is not a lot inertia to drive things home, polishing IMHO is very important, easy to do, and will not harm your gun in any way.

No fluff and buff required with the LCP.

 

[P7]

Re: How-to: Polishing the LCP Barrel Feed Ramp & Throat

Kraigster414: Thanks for your helpful response. When I first got the pistol, the slide began to run roughly and hesitate a bit before going completely into battery after about 75 rounds. After a few more rounds, the slide sometimes required a push to chamber the next round. This problem always disappeared after a good cleaning. I finally got the nerve to try polishing the feedramp and chamber entry. Just for fun, I also polished the hammer interface surface and the breechface. Your instructions were excellent and all went well. The action is much smoother. However, the slide closing "problem" persists. The pistol now goes perhaps a 100 rounds before the lockup problem develops. This is hardly a practical issue but I'm curious if anyone else has noticed this lockup phenomenon. I have fired 500-700 rounds of various ammo brands, mostly Golden Saber. Between outings, the gun has been thoroughly cleaned (ultrasonic) and lubed with Eezox and occasionally TW25 grease om the rails. Any thoughts? Again, thanks for your help.

P7

 

[kraigster414]

Re: How-to: Polishing the LCP Barrel Feed Ramp & Throat

P7, I am glad the barrrel polishing was a success. Good for you. As for the slide not returning to full battery despite the fact that you say it is clean and well-lubed, it usually comes down to a few things - the need for break-in (but your gun should be sufficiently broken in), binding or a burr on the slide/frame (not applicable in your case as it works for the first 100 rounds), weak ammo, i.e., typically undercharged light reloads (not applicable in your case) or a weak recoil spring assembly. I am beginning to think it might be the latter. I'd like you to try a new set of springs. Jocko has had success using the higher rated Keltec P32 recoil springs - they do fit in the LCP but I have never tried them. Why this is happening after 100 successful cyclings points to crud build and a weak spring - it doesn't take much with these little guns as they have very tight tolerances.

Together, we are going to solve this.

 

[jocko]

Re: How-to: Polishing the LCP Barrel Feed Ramp & Throat

P7, I am glad the barrrel polishing was a success. Good for you. As for the slide not returning to full battery despite the fact that it is clean and well-lubed, it usually comes down to two things - the need for break-in (but your gun should be sufficiently broken in), binding or a burr on the slide/frame, weak ammo, i.e., normally light reloads (not applicable in your case) or a weak recoil spring assembly. I am beginning to think it might be the latter. I'd like you to try a new set of springs. Jocko has had success using the higher rated Keltec P32 recoil springs - they do fit in the LCP but I have never tried them.

i would definitely try a new set of recoil springs be they ruger or the kt wolffs sprngs. u have enough rounds down ragne IMO. has this gun been back for the recall to????

 

[kraigster414]

Re: How-to: Polishing the LCP Barrel Feed Ramp & Throat

Good point about whether it has already come back from the recall. If not, you definitely want to mention in your work order. But now lets not muddy up this thread. We should start a new thread specific to this issue. Time to get back on topic since we made this a sticky - polishing the lcp barrel.

 

[P7]

Re: How-to: Polishing the LCP Barrel Feed Ramp & Throat

Thanks for your replies. Yes, the gun has been through recall and updated.

P7

 

[P7]

Re: How-to: Polishing the LCP Barrel Feed Ramp & Throat

I'll call Ruger's Parts Department in the morning and order new recoil springs. This is a great board with help readily available. Nice work!

Jeff (P7)

 

[jocko]

Re: How-to: Polishing the LCP Barrel Feed Ramp & Throat

I'll call Ruger's Parts Department in the morning and order new recoil springs. This is a great board with help readily available. Nice work!

Jeff (P7)

more than likely they replaced the recoil springs to, so not sure that will solve ur issues. With that many rounds, I would think it would be smoother than glass, ur using the right grease IMO. that is the best around. Is this doing it will any brand of ammo or just a certain brand. when this happens can you eject the live round and check the bullet to see if there is a ridge around it where it could be possably to long and hitting the rifling some. A possable chance that Ruger did not throat your barrel when it was in for rehab. We all guessing for you, especially if it goes a 100 rounds with no issues, just maybe your particular lcp needs more rounds down range...

 

[LittleLiver]

Re: How-to: Polishing the LCP Barrel Feed Ramp & Throat

I took a dremal with a tapered felt tip bit, and using a bit of Permatex value grinding compound with my dremal speed set to 1000 rpms ran this over my feed ramp and at the top of the breech (chamber). Breech had groves / tool marks on top part, this didn't take away much metal if any but really smoothed out these sections. I don't believe this was a problem area for me just something I felt needed done.

 

[stevec717]

Re: How-to: Polishing the LCP Barrel Feed Ramp & Throat

The ramp seemed really smooth so I didn't do some of the intermediate steps. I went right to the Dremel with felt tip and the polishing compound and polished at low speed. In just a couple minutes the ramp was like mirror finish. I'll try to get a pic.

Steve

 

[kraigster414]

Re: How-to: Polishing the LCP Barrel Feed Ramp & Throat

I took a dremal with a tapered felt tip bit, and using a bit of Permatex value grinding compound with my dremal speed set to 1000 rpms ran this over my feed ramp and at the top of the breech (chamber). Breech had groves / tool marks on top part, this didn't take away much metal if any but really smoothed out these sections. I don't believe this was a problem area for me just something I felt needed done.

Liver, you're makin' me nervous here. The goal is to polish NOT to take off metal or alther the geometry in any way. Sounds like you're fine and that you know what you are doing, but when I read about "grinding compound," removing tool marks, etc. a warning light goes on. Keep in mind, in some hands, a Dremel is more dangerous than a nuclear Iran.

Steve, you did good.

 

[LittleLiver]

Re: How-to: Polishing the LCP Barrel Feed Ramp & Throat

A dermal felt tip when dipped in valve compound, imbeds itself in the felt and makes the felt IMO about like 1600 or lighter sandpaper, very smooth for polishing. This compound when used the way it is supposed to be, between metal to metal or valve to valve seat, would be too much. On my breech I took a very sharp pencil and ran it along the inside top of the chamber, and could feel the small groves / tool marks that I could also see with my loupe. I use the loupe to see fine marks and to do work that would be impossible to see. After running the felt over and through the chamber the pencil ran smoothly along the chamber. I know this sounds different but I have done this to all my auto feed ramps and they come out smooth as a babies behind. My LCP is the only auto that I have had a less then smooth breech to start with. Anyway the final results, after several FTF’s in the first 2 or 3 boxes of ammo, in fact in almost every magazine, is that my LCP now with 600 rounds has never FTF once since the treatment and I can and do trust it to go bang every time. I just went out Thursday and fired a box of AE, box of Rem. and a box of WWB and all was well.

 

[kraigster414]

Re: How-to: Polishing the LCP Barrel Feed Ramp & Throat

Sounds like you know what you're doin' Liver.

 

[Indy Man]

Re: How-to: Polishing the LCP Barrel Feed Ramp & Throat

I have always been the type that if it ain't broke don't fix it. That being said I am curious to know would y'all recommend polishing if you have not had any probs ???

 

[kraigster414]

Re: How-to: Polishing the LCP Barrel Feed Ramp & Throat

Indy, don't fix what ain't broke if it has even the slightest potential to screw things up. Polishing only polishes. It can't hurt but can only help when done responsibly. Your call.

 

[bigweb2001]

Re: How-to: Polishing the LCP Barrel Feed Ramp & Throat

I'm an average mechanic, and would love if someone posted a youtube video on this topic as I dont trust myself with the technique yet. I will do some searching....

 

[stevec717]

Re: How-to: Polishing the LCP Barrel Feed Ramp & Throat

OK - not going to do the youtube thing but.....here's some stills. I used a Dremel tool with cone polishing felt (fits perfectly) and dremel compund. I used med speed and just lightly polished for about 30 seconds total (Intermittently).

As you can see, it's like a mirror finish. Don't have any "before" pics but it really feels like glass now.

Good luck - easy to do .

 

[WillJitsu]

Re: How-to: Polishing the LCP Barrel Feed Ramp & Throat

I want to polish the feed ramp and the barrel on my LCP. I don't currently own any tools to do this. What would I need to purchase to do the whole job and how much can I expect to pay?

 

[LCP HEAT]

Re: How-to: Polishing the LCP Barrel Feed Ramp & Throat

OK - not going to do the youtube thing but.....here's some stills. I used a Dremel tool with cone polishing felt (fits perfectly) and dremel compund. I used med speed and just lightly polished for about 30 seconds total (Intermittently).

As you can see, it's like a mirror finish. Don't have any "before" pics but it really feels like glass now.

Good luck - easy to do .

Dremel compound? Do they sell it separately or is it only in a polishing kit? Need to check my Dremel, might have come with some compound, I have never used it for polishing just cutting out old toilet bolts and sink and tub drains. Its also great for grout removal.