Recoil Rob

Hello, new here and just came into possession of a 1965 Browning M1955 9mm/.380.

Cosmetically it's a high condition gun, still has the original box, doesn't look to have been carried much at all.





The problem occurs when trying to lock the slide back, the engagement of the safety catch is very tentative, more often than not it slips right out and the slide slams home. I have pushed it all the way into the notch and as I release the slide I can see the safety catch begin to slip out and work downwards. Sometimes I can get it to stop but the engagement is so little that it reminds me of a trigger sear.







It says in the rear slot just fine since there's no tension on it.




I see in the exploded diagram on Numerich that there is a safety catch spring (part 28), but I can't feel the catch being spring loaded, it just moves up and down freely. It does seem to have a small "click" when engaging the rear safety slot but nothing is forcing it up into the forward slide locking slot.



Appreciate any help, like to get this little gun operating correctly.

dfariswheel

The Browning safety spring doesn't put any torque on the safety. It's purpose is simply to prevent the safety from moving too freely.
Without the spring the safety would simply "flop" up and down freely.

It's hard to tell from pictures or without actually seeing the gun, but it looks like the rear face of the safety may be worn or altered to the extent that it's just not engaging properly.
If you notice, the slide safety notch is undercut. The undercut face of the safety should move far enough up into the notch to provide plenty of engagement, and the safety should stay up.

I'd suggest first field stripping the gun and giving it a fresh lubricant job, especially in the safety shaft and spring area.
By this time, most of the lubricant is probably dried out.

Test the safety for enough tension that it won't move too easily.

If this doesn't do it, contact Browning and ask who do they recommend for repairs to this older pistol.
I'm not sure if Browning still does, but I'd assume they would know who will:

Browning North America's Official Web Site -- Firearms -- Rifles -- Over and Under Shotguns -- Guns

Recoil Rob

Thanks for the help, I will do as you suggest with the field strip and lube, if that doesn't work I'll call Browning. I see that Numerich also has new safetys for sale, might get one just in case.

Rob

dfariswheel

Careful, there's an Old style and a New Style safety.
Make sure you get the right one. In your case, it's an Old Style.

Recoil Rob

Thanks will make sure about that.