gun won't cock

[coosbaycreep]

It's a bernardelli .25acp that someone gave my parents years ago, and they gave to me.

When you pull the slide back, it doesn't "cock". The trigger moves, but it doesn't matter because it won't cock. Nothing appears to be broke or missing.

I've taken it to a gunsmith before, and he told me it wasn't worth fixing, but offered no good advice on what the problem could be.

This isn't something I plan on using for CC or anything, or something I want to sink much money into, but it's a cool little gun, and I've already invested $18 in a box of ammo I can't shoot, so I'd like to try and fix this little thing.

Any ideas?

 

[gb6491]

That looks like a Bernardelli VP.
There is some info about them here (field stripping instructions at the bottom of the page): http://unblinkingeye.com/Guns/Bernardelli/bernardelli.html
Parts: http://www.gun-parts.com/bernardelli/
There are some good diagrams for the Baby and Model 68 on this page (since all three are similar, these might give you some idea about how the VP is constructed): http://www.vestpockets.bauli.at/archiv/archiv.htm
Regards,
Greg

 

[coosbaycreep]

Thanks for the links.

They don't have a diagram for my gun exactly, but something that I'm missing for sure is the little thing that sits behind the firing pin inside the spring. Any idea on what that's called, and what it does?

 

[David E]

That would be the ejector/spring guide.

If your striker/firing pin has a hole in it, that's where the long extension pokes thru during the slide cycling, ejecting the spent case.

It's absence shouldn't prevent the gun from cocking, unless the spring is allowed to kink up too much preventing full rearward travel. In which case, the sear wouldn't be able to engage the release.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I have had one in 22 Long apart before because I acidentally manipulated it the way you have to to take it down and blammo it launched everything. Luckily I found everything and got it back together. This doesnt really help you but if I had my hands on it I could fix it and know what part is missing.