Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors 1915 32 caliber pistol info needed

My 1915 Savage pistol, SN 134935, is a civilian 32 that I inherited from my father and last year I used it to shoot a 6 foot rattle snake. In the excitement I did not realize a bullet had lodged in the barrel and the blow back from successive shot or shots blew the left grip off. I broke it down to the Breech plug assembly, slide, barrel, and recoil spring using 1907 instructions and Knocked/drilled out the bullet(s) by hand with a twist drill slightly smaller than the bore.
I was able to reassemble it with great difficulty (again using the 1907 instructions, but the slide is sometimes very hard to pull back to the rearmost position and feels like it is catching on something as it first starts to move, but once over that hump slides more freely up to the latching point. What is the proper sequence of clip in or out and trigger pulled or not to move the slide back? I have noticed it won't latch in the back position without the clip in place. I also managed to pinch my finger big time between the slide and frame the first time I accidently released it with the front release button.
I used 3-in-1 oil when I reassembled it, but is there a recommended lube procedure and is there something I might have gotten in wrong to make the slide sometimes stick so?
The little "It Banishes Fear!" booklet that was with it is obviously for the 1907: Is there a source for 1915 specific instructions and exploded views? Would it be best to take it to a gunsmith and have the barrel reamed to be sure all remnants of lead are removed?

I have had my 1907 s & 1917 apart, but never had the nerve to try my 1915, as I heard that they were alot harder to get back togather, Maybe Joe "Maddog" will be able to help you! be best tho to have a good Smith take a look at it tho!
John

I heard that you need gloves to assemble/disassemble those little buggers , I forgot where I heard that

Mike

Check the barrel for a slight bulge. With a bulge the spring will hang up and then give as you move the slide back. It is typical for the slide to 'catch' sometimes after sliding about an inch onto the frame but it is a firm stop - not a soft 'hang up'.

The slide lock-back system requires the magazine to be in the pistol. Unlike the typical magazines, the M1915 magazine has a projecting tab on the follower that comes up after the the last round to raise the slide release bar to catch the slide.

I would also recommend having a gunsmith look it over.

Jim