My Ruger American Pistol won't chamber?

mjohnson1 · Nov 20, 2020

I have a Ruger American pistol in 9 mm "pro" that I have owned for probably 4 years. I shoot it regularly with no problems and really enjoy it. It is the 4.2 in. barreled model "duty". I have always shot new factory MagTech 115 grain ball ammo with no problems. Today at the range I had loaded three 17 round magazines. To my surprise, the rounds would not chamber, going in about half way and stopping. I would have to drop the magazine and rack the slide to remove the stuck round. I tried many other identical factory rounds with the same result, even trying the magazine with fewer (5 or 6 rounds instead of 17). When I got home I tried another box of MagTech ammo with the same result. I also have a Ruger LC 9s pistol and used the same ammo in its mags and the rounds chambered perfectly. The gun barrel and chamber were clean also. The rounds drop easily into the chamber with the barrel removed and the feed ramp is smooth.
I have never gone into the magazines, opened them up or cleaned them. The spring tension seems fine.
What is wrong here? Would appreciate some thoughts. Thanks
Mike J

car5car · Nov 20, 2020

weak spring? check ramp.

gonerydin · Nov 20, 2020

Could be something wrong with the extractor. Have you ever pulled it out to clean?

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PriseDeFer · Nov 20, 2020

Just to be sure: you tried all three 17 round magazines?
Then like gonerydin said, the extractor maybe. Can you move the extractor outward against its spring pressure? It should be hard to do, but it should move.

ronbwolf · Nov 20, 2020

Disassemble pistol. With a good flashlight, inspect chamber area. Is there any obstruction, any cracks on any surface? Inspect the exterior of barrel for it's entire length, any variations in surface, bulges? Reassemble the pistol, pay careful attention to the placement of the recoil spring and guide. Hand cycle pistol, empty, any hesitatons, hiccups?

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Nomadic Paladin · Nov 20, 2020

Sounds like the recoil spring. Does it feel different than it used to in returning to battery?

mjohnson1 · Nov 20, 2020

Thanks for everyone's responses. I think it must have been the extractor, because after using a toothbrush on it and moving it with my finger in and out, problem solved. I have not been diligent on brushing it; that will now change. Thanks again.

gonerydin · Nov 21, 2020

mjohnson1 said:
Thanks for everyone's responses. I think it must have been the extractor, because after using a toothbrush on it and moving it with my finger in and out, problem solved. I have not been diligent on brushing it; that will now change. Thanks again.

I would be inclined to remove the extractor and clean the spring area if you have any more problems.

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Nomadic Paladin · Nov 20, 2020

Lots of crevices to clean with these "wonder 9" pistols. I find cotton swabs to be useful.

eastman · Nov 21, 2020

pipe cleaners are very good for cleaning under the extractor hook, even wood toothpicks work well.

mjohnson1 · Nov 22, 2020

Gonerydin:
Thanks very much for the video-I had looked but could not find one. Seems easy enough-will give it a try. Thanks.
mjohnson1

mjohnson1 · Nov 23, 2020

Gonerydin and everyone:
With the help of Gonerydin and the video he referred me to, I was able to remove the extractor and striker assembly very easily. Reinstallation was a snap also but I saw something that did not look right to me. When the striker assembly was removed the firing pin was broken off and did not have a tip like the one shown in the video. This was the first time that I have removed anything from the slide. Don't know if the gun will fire or not.
Here is my question. Can the firing pin tip be removed and replaced without having to replace the entire striker assembly? Thanks.
mjohnson1

gonerydin · Nov 23, 2020

mjohnson1 said:
Gonerydin and everyone:
With the help of Gonerydin and the video he referred me to, I was able to remove the extractor and striker assembly very easily. Reinstallation was a snap also but I saw something that did not look right to me. When the striker assembly was removed the firing pin was broken off and did not have a tip like the one shown in the video. This was the first time that I have removed anything from the slide. Don't know if the gun will fire or not.
Here is my question. Can the firing pin tip be removed and replaced without having to replace the entire striker assembly? Thanks.
mjohnson1

I don’t believe the tip is available separately. The striker assembly is about $35.

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mjohnson1 · Nov 23, 2020

OK, thanks. Will order one.
mjohnson1

Skully9 · Apr 11, 2021

This is a helpful video I found when I was researching the S.S. Guide Rod from Galloway. The upgrade may be beneficial to your item if you've further issues. Per the reading I've done, if your firearm is performing then don't bother. I did purchase the 20lb S.S. rod from them and looking forward to comparing it to the OEM spring in the near future, once I receive some 115gr ammo I can experiment with. Good luck!

Stainless Steel Striker Guide for Ruger American® Pistols

Performance Striker GuideStainless Steel upgrade for the Ruger American® Pistol striker system. This new guide removes the troublesome plastic guide that tends to have the head break off and can jam up the striker assembly.We have designed the new guide to also reduce the trigger pull 1.0 lb...

gallowayprecision.com

keeblur420 · 2025-10-02T06:18:40-0400

Check striker rebound spring

keeblur420 · 2025-10-02T06:21:41-0400

Did you service the slide/striker/firing pin? If so,check the striker rebound spring

My Ruger American Pistol won't chamber?

Stainless Steel Striker Guide for Ruger American® Pistols

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