I cured the rattle...for now.

[CPshooter]

Today I was bored and decided to "fix" the rattle coming from the right side slide stop lever on my P2000sk. It wasn't a big deal but always annoyed me. I know I'm not the only one with this problem.

I've read some posts around here that suggested clear nail polish does the trick. I decided to try it out. First, I put some clear nail polish on the inside splines of the right slide release. It helped a little, so then I decided to put a little on the splines of the left side release. Overall, the rattle is gone.

However, I'm not convinced that this will be a permanent fix. At first the left side slide stop/disassembly pin wouldn't go through the frame very easily. I removed it and noticed that the nail polish on the outside was a white-ish color. I took my finger nail and it flaked right off. I re-inserted it and it popped right in like it's supposed to. It now goes in easily and the right slide release doesn't rattle, but I'm wondering how long this will last. If the nail polish flaked off on the outside, it won't be long before the nail polish inside the spline grooves comes off once it vibrates from the recoil.

It works for now, but I'm sure after one range session it will be back to how it was. Isn't there a more permanent fix???

Also, is there anything to worry about as far as the nail polish affecting the integrity of the polymer frame? I made sure to apply it lightly on the spline grooves only and no wet polish touched the polymer, but I'm still nervous that the dried nail polish will eat away at the polymer. Should I be worried about this?

[Forgetfull]

Today I was bored and decided to "fix" the rattle coming from the right side slide stop lever on my P2000sk. It

Also, is there anything to worry about as far as the nail polish affecting the integrity of the polymer frame? I made sure to apply it lightly on the spline grooves only and no wet polish touched the polymer, but I'm still nervous that the dried nail polish will eat away at the polymer. Should I be worried about this?

Nope, you use a lot of harsher chemicals cleaning you HK

[PaHKFan]

I'm wondering if this is a problem when the gun was manufactured?

My P2000SK is only 3 months old and shot twice and I've never heard any rattling coming from the slide release levers. Do you lube the left slide release lever when you clean your gun? I put just a little on it before I re-assemble. But from what you're saying, it's probably the right side lever that's loose somewhere. I don't know what else to say.

I'm not so sure about using nail polish, that might not be good for the gun. I'm just going by what the manual says.

[heffa]

I've had mine for 3 or 4 years and have shot the crap out of it. I just grabbed it and shook the hell out of it and no rattle, my brothers is in my safe (consecutive #'s so same age) and shook his and it had a slight rattle but I really had to shake it. When is this "rattle" bothering you guys? Some of you must have some cat like ninja hearing to be able to ever hear this while carrying, same with the USPc buffer "rattle". If it ain't broke don't fix it, anything you put on the gun could cause the gun not to work properly and ruin your day! Nail polish could react with the solvents and become a gummy mess. Is the "rattle" really that bad?

[Slim]

I own both the P2000sk and the P30. Both pistols have what I would consider a loose right side slide release, the P30 more so. The P30 is an "AI" the P2000sk is an "AK" year.

Basically it boils down to the left side male slide release splines being too small or the right side female splines being too large. Maybe H&K designed it this was to make pistol re-assembly easier after cleaning? i.e. the two pieces don’t have to be perfectly aligned to get them to slide into each other.

What I find is odd is that other folks handguns that I’ve seen, or ones in the showrooms have been tighter than mine, although a few have been about as loose. But, 15 or so handguns doesn’t give a good representation of the thousands that have been made, but then this thread does keep popping up on the forum so you and I aren’t the Lone Rangers.

Having spent the last 26+ years working with mechanical objects, close tolerances and heat treated metals I think the only thing that is really going to “cure the problem” is to have H&K provide a parts kit or replacement parts. Applying something as soft as nail polish would be temporary at best and simply erode away in a short order, especially under heavy use.

The FFL dealer/friend that I ordered both handguns through has many of the current H&K hangun models, his comment on seeing my two was, “that would drive me nuts”.
While I don’t like it, I put up with it, probably because I know I can’t do anything about it, but I really like both pistols otherwise.

We could always pack JB weld in there……………..:82:

[ttr]

the right side slide-release of my P30 rattles too.

[MaverickH1]

... Some of you must have some cat like ninja hearing to be able to ever hear this while carrying ...

This is the kind of thing that gets said all the time that kind of annoys me, because it gets said just because you personally don't have the issue.

My P2000sk had approximately 3 mm of travel up and down at the tip of the slide release, which is actually a considerable amount. It did rattle every time I walked. So much that my nephew asked "What is that rattling noise" when we were walking into Wal-Mart.

It can certainly be an issue, and as I've said before it's the only thing I strongly dislike on today's HK pistols. I love the ambi levers, just hate that they have this issue.

No it doesn't hurt the functioning of the firearm, but it certainly is annoying as hell. If you bought a BMW that had a glove box that rattled like crazy while you were driving, you'd want it gone even if the glove box still worked.

I fixed mine with a little bit of soft velcro right behind it. Doesn't noticeably effect function, but keeps enough friction on the lever to not let it move on its own.

[Montrala]

I don't have rattling problem, becouse I'm helf handed and inside (leather) part of my MTAC holster prevents it completelly. But I have two sugestions to cure this rattling sound:

1) Works only in holster - glue piece of soft velcro "half" inside your holster, against right side release lever. This will cushion any rattlind.
2) Put small piece (cut in round shape) of transparent selfadhesive tape or black electric insulation tape (waterproof would be best choice) agaist top of left side slide release pin (on splines) and push right side lever over it. This will remove play, and good electrical tape will live longer than nail polish.

[MaverickH1]

The only issues I have with your fixes, Montrala, is that the velcro in the holster will only fix the rattling inside the holster. So when you pull it out at the range or have it cleared and you are showing it off to a buddy, the rattle remains. I hated that!

For the electrical tape, that was the fix I tried first and the tape just came off after a couple field strips and I didn't want to replace it all the time.

So I went with a similar velcro suggestion and stuck it to the frame behind the lever. It works like a charm, it's cheap, it's easy to install, it is permanent but removable, and is invisible! Just be sure to not use a piece of velcro that protrudes too far from the frame, that could put some unwanted stress on the polymer frame for extended periods of time by torquing the lever only slightly.

[Finleyville]

Does the right slide release lever HAVE to be installed at all? It doesn't really keep the left side/takedown pin secure. If it is not there then there is no rattle right? How safe is it to shoot and carry without the right side attached?

[MaverickH1]

You can certainly just remove it... but then you've got an incomplete gun. I hated that :)

[CPshooter]

No it doesn't hurt the functioning of the firearm, but it certainly is annoying as hell. If you bought a BMW that had a glove box that rattled like crazy while you were driving, you'd want it gone even if the glove box still worked.Exactly! I couldn't agree more.

Finleyville- You can remove the right side lever and it doesn't affect anything. The only problem is the left side lever/pin sticks out of the right side of the gun quite a bit and it looks gaudy. It also looks like crap because the right side of the polymer frame has an impression that was made for the right slide release lever. When it's gone it just looks like something is missing.

The rattle isn't a huge deal by any means. I've lived with it so far and absolutely love this little pistol otherwise. It's just the simple fact of the matter that bugs me. Maverick's BMW analogy explains it best.

I just thought about trying something different. Maybe a thicker grease on the splines would do the trick. It might not keep it from moving up and down, but the audible "rattle" might go away...anybody else try this yet?

I might just call H&K to see what they will do for me. If I explain to them that a lot of people don't have this problem they can't tell me that it was "part of the design" and there's "nothing that we can do for you." They should stand behind their $800 product.

[Perseus]

My P30 and P2Ksk both rattle. I can't remember if the USP does also. I can absolutely hear the rattle while carrying the guns. No one has ever said anything but it's pretty clear to me. Not huge deal, but it is bit sub-par for a top shelf gun.

[Finleyville]

Finleyville- You can remove the right side lever and it doesn't affect anything. The only problem is the left side lever/pin sticks out of the right side of the gun quite a bit and it looks gaudy. It also looks like crap because the right side of the polymer frame has an impression that was made for the right slide release lever. When it's gone it just looks like something is missing.


While I understand about the pistol not being complete without the right side, in the end it is still a self-defense tool. I am guessing that 99% of right handed shooters do not even touch the right slide release. How many threads are posted here about adding different accessories/modifications such as sights, lights, grips, coatings, springs, etc. which help the user better achieve their results? Why would removing a non-critical part be any different if it helps to better conceal the pistol in public? (Plus do you really see or care about the otherwise great pistol's looks when holstered and you unfortunately have to draw and defend yourself?) As you probably can tell I will start to carry my P2000sk sans right slide release.

Please understand that I, too, am upset about my rattle from my P2000sk. And the above does not defend this design flaw. On the contrary, if HK positions itself as a "no compromise" company then these little foibles common on lesser quality products should not pass their strict QC checks.

I guess sometimes I look at things a little more practical. If it is broke, fix it and make it your own. BTW, I like your velcro idea if you want to keep the right release.

[REWTX]

My P30 and P2Ksk both rattle. I can't remember if the USP does also. I can absolutely hear the rattle while carrying the guns. No one has ever said anything but it's pretty clear to me. Not huge deal, but it is bit sub-par for a top shelf gun.

+1 on being sub-par for a top shelf gun. Are you guys serious, tape or fingernail polish for a fix? I have also seen a suggestion to fix the bushing rattle on a USP compact using grease. The solution is that HK needs better QC, period.

[Shakey]

I wouldn't get carried away with nail polish... on your pistol that is. ;) Some nail polishes have formaldehyde as a base ingredient. I'm not sure of the effect formaldehyde has on polymers. Some polymers contain formaldehyde. You might want to refrain from using nail polish... on your pistol. A clear acrylic lacquer might be a better choice, or as with most pistol owners... live with the rattle. If you hold your loaded USP and vigorously shake it you can hear the magazine rattle. My 1911s don't do that, but then my USP is much quicker to reload that my stock 1911s. Unless I'm jogging toward a bad guy he's not going to here my mag rattle. The first thing he'll hear is the hammer fall.

[Slim]

[QUOTE=MaverickH1;774237]My P2000sk had approximately 3 mm of travel up and down at the tip of the slide release, which is actually a considerable amount. It did rattle every time I walked. So much that my nephew asked "What is that rattling noise" when we were walking into Wal-Mart.

It can certainly be an issue, and as I've said before it's the only thing I strongly dislike on today's HK pistols. I love the ambi levers, just hate that they have this issue.

No it doesn't hurt the functioning of the firearm, but it certainly is annoying as hell. If you bought a BMW that had a glove box that rattled like crazy while you were driving, you'd want it gone even if the glove box still worked.


Wow!! 3mm of travel that's more than mine. I don't know if I should feel better or not. If I had that much I'd probably be contacting H&K, I plan to anyway in the offseason.

My P30 has just under 2mm of "play" up and down at the tip and the SK has just over 1mm. I think if the slide release on the SK was as long as the P30's, then they would probably be similar.

Love the BMW analogy.

[rdog]

I got my p30 a few mo. ago and noticed the rattle, very disturbing me. Took off the right slide release lever and did`nt like how it felt or looked.

I came up with a great idea and even took a few pics of the fix. Since I`m new on this site , this is the first time I am replying to a thread and have not played around with posting pics yet.

Anyway, what I did was to take a collar shirt stay white in color look for a thickness of between approx 1/32-1/16,

I filed it down with a nail file/emory board to about a 1/2 inch x 3/32( a little less then the width of the slide release
looked like a rectangle with with sanded corners after completion.

Once I got the right dimensions I used a tiny bit of liquid nail and dabbed on to the slide release that had been removed and attached the small piece to the back of the slide release, fattest part near the rear behind the lever. Pressed down for a few minutes till dry and they waited abour 10 minutes for it to set, that`s all it took- best to use something thick like liquid nail cause it does`nt run like a thin glue- easy to work with. I then cleaned up excess glue on lever with toothpick and took a black permanant felt marker and colored it. Can`t even tell it is there.

Best thing is that your not doing anything to the frame with velcro , although not a bad idea, but with this you don`t see anything and it has taken up the gap causing the rattle. aslso , with the material of the collar stay, it slides fine against the polymer frame its like a spacer/washer.

Any questions, feel free to contact me

Rdog

[mmcc100]

I totally understand why this bothers people. It bothers me too! On my USPc the buffer is just part of it and I have accepted that. My P30 doesn't rattle, but the rattle on the sk(s) at my local FFL kept me from buying one. I even asked him to find me one that didn't. We tried about 4-5 and they all rattled. Some worse than others. He smirked and said "no compromise huh?" Don't get me wrong. I love my HKs and I really like the sk, but don't want any rattle from an $800 plastic pistol. I think we shouldn't have to put velcro or nail polish on them.

[ToddG]

I fixed mine with a little bit of soft velcro right behind it. Doesn't noticeably effect function, but keeps enough friction on the lever to not let it move on its own.

Mine rattles but not enough to be noticeable under any normal circumstances. I've never heard it while walking, running, etc. I've also had a number of folks handle the gun and not a single one of them has commented on it ... quite a few of those folks are very experienced shooters and more than a couple are true gun snobs.

Nonetheless, MaverickH1's recommendation above sounds like a perfect way to alleviate the problem.

[ToddG]

I fixed mine with a little bit of soft velcro right behind it. Doesn't noticeably effect function, but keeps enough friction on the lever to not let it move on its own.

Mine rattles but not enough to be noticeable under any normal circumstances. I've never heard it while walking, running, etc. I've also had a number of folks handle the gun and not a single one of them has commented on it ... quite a few of those folks are very experienced shooters and more than a couple are true gun snobs.

Nonetheless, MaverickH1's recommendation above sounds like a perfect way to alleviate the problem.