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Work order — Ruger LCP II

Taking the firearm apart for a job such as refinishing, and putting it back together to specification. Generated from the Pew-Takedown entry last updated 2026-10-29. Confidence: high.

Shop difficulty: Tier 1 of 3

39 parts on a pinned frame insert in a polymer grip; the traps are field-strip-level (the non-captive takedown pin must go in at 45 degrees past its retaining spring, the nested recoil spring has a direction, the barrel goes in at an angle). Nothing needs timing. 39 parts (LCP II parts list, complete pistol incl. magazine (manual p. 29).). Pew-Takedown's rating, not the manufacturer's.

Bench time: strip ~15 min, rebuild ~25 min (estimate). Actual: strip ______ rebuild ______

Special tools:

• dovetail sight pusher (or brass drift and padded vise) — Removing and refitting dovetailed sights for coating

Watch for:

• The takedown pin has to be started at about 45 degrees so its tip pushes the retaining spring down, then rotated in; pushed straight it will not go. (reassembly; Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.)
• The inner recoil spring has a flared end that must face the muzzle. (reassembly; Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.)

Tools

• Screwdriver or other flat, blunt tool — Prying the takedown pin loose.

1. Clear and make safe

1. Keep the pistol pointed in a safe direction. Press the magazine latch and withdraw the magazine from the butt.
2. Pull the slide to the rear and lock it open by pushing upward on the slide stop.
3. Inspect the chamber and verify that it is empty.
4. Remove all live ammunition from the work area.

2. Disassemble

Manufacturer's video: Ruger® LCP® II Disassembly, Cleaning & reassembly Tech Tip (RugerFirearms)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arMiop5PJKE

Field Strip

1. Complete the Clear and Make Safe procedure.
2. Retract the slide slightly and release it. This disengages the slide stop and lets the slide move fully forward.
3. Pry the takedown pin loose using a screwdriver or other flat, blunt tool.
   Tip: Ruger's own illustration shows a screwdriver tip under the head of the pin.
4. Remove the takedown pin completely.
   Warning: The pin is not captive and will come free of the frame. Do not lose it.
5. Move the slide assembly forward and separate it from the grip frame.
6. Compress the recoil spring assembly slightly to disengage it from its seat against the barrel lug, and remove it completely.
   Warning: Under spring tension.
7. Remove the barrel by moving it forward slightly, then down and back to extract it from the slide.
8. The pistol is now disassembled for cleaning. Go no further.
   Warning: Ruger describes no disassembly below this level.

3. Refinish

The components the procedures above separate. Coating, masking and cure are outside this database; follow your coating system's instructions. A part the manufacturer marks "factory fit" should not be swapped or reworked.

The manufacturer's full parts list (39 parts) is on the reference page.

4. Reassemble

Manufacturer's video: Ruger® LCP® II Disassembly, Cleaning & reassembly Tech Tip (RugerFirearms)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arMiop5PJKE

Reassembly

1. Be certain the chamber and magazine are empty.
2. With the slide held upside down, replace the barrel and push it rearward into its locked position.
3. Replace the recoil spring assembly so the rear end of the guide rod seats against the barrel lug.
   Warning: The flared end of the inner recoil spring must be oriented toward the muzzle. Fitted backwards the assembly will not seat correctly.
4. Replace the slide onto the frame and put it in its closed position, as if the pistol were fully assembled.
5. Insert the takedown pin into the frame at a downward angle of about 45 degrees, until its tip pushes down its retaining spring.
   Warning: The pin will not go straight in. Starting it at an angle is what clears the retaining spring.
6. Rotate the pin downward until it is aligned with its hole, then insert it fully into the frame.
7. Replace the empty magazine and perform the function check.

5. Torque

No manufacturer torque values are recorded for this firearm.

Notes: The manufacturer's documents give no torque value. They say: "use the supplied thread adapter/cap wrench to tighten the barrel cap firmly in place by turning it counterclockwise (see Figure 15)." (Ruger LCP II Lite Rack .22 LR Threaded Barrel Replacement Instructions (PM849), PDF p. 2) "NOTE: Do not use a cheater bar on the supplied thread adapter/cap wrench as damage can occur to either the thread adapter, cap or barrel." (Ruger LCP II Lite Rack .22 LR Threaded Barrel Replacement Instructions (PM849), PDF p. 2)

Fit or check on rebuild

• Recoil spring direction — Nested spring reversed binds the slide
• Function check: trigger reset, sear/striker engagement, safeties — Standard post-reassembly check on any pistol whose fire-control parts were removed; a mis-seated spring shows up here, not on the bench

6. Function check

• First be sure there is no ammunition in the chamber or magazine, and keep the pistol pointed in a safe direction.
• With no magazine and the slide forward, pull the slide fully to the rear and let it run forward quickly, twice.
• Insert an empty magazine; it should latch without excessive force. Pull the slide fully back and release — it should move forward a fraction and stay open on the slide stop.
• Remove the empty magazine. The slide should remain held open.
• With the magazine out, fully retract the slide and release it. The slide stop should disengage and the slide should close fully. The hammer should not fall.
• Cycle the slide to cock the hammer. The end of the hammer is visible through the opening at the rear of the slide when cocked.
• Pointed in a safe direction and with no magazine, pull the trigger fully rearward. The hammer should fall.
• Holding the trigger back, cycle the slide to reset the hammer, then release the trigger and feel the reset. The hammer should not fall.

If any check fails, the firearm is not safe to fire. Stop and see a licensed gunsmith.

If it won't go back together

Sources

1. Ruger LCP II Instruction Manual — Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. primary
   https://ruger-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/_manuals/LCPII-Ls6Gb8Dsk45.pdf
2. Ruger Instruction Manuals (index) — Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. primary
   https://ruger.com/dataProcess/serialHistory/manuals.php
3. Ruger LCP II Lite Rack .22 LR Threaded Barrel Replacement Instructions (PM849) — Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. primary
   https://shopruger.s3.amazonaws.com/LCP-II-BarrelKit.pdf
4. Ruger LCP II Centerfire Pistol — Specifications (model 13705, .22 LR) — Sturm, Ruger & Co. primary
   https://ruger.com/products/lcpII/specSheets/13705.html
5. Ruger Patents — Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. primary
   https://ruger.com/micros/Patents/index.html

Educational guide only. Some information comes from non-authoritative sources. Always consult your manufacturer's manual and a licensed gunsmith. Verify your firearm is unloaded before every procedure. Full disclaimer: https://github.com/Fundamental-build-LLC/Pew-Takedown

Legal notice: this material is third-party information compiled from sources of varying reliability and is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not gunsmithing, technical, safety or legal advice, it is not verified or endorsed by any manufacturer, and it must not be taken as fact. Any work on a firearm beyond the routine field stripping described in its own owner's manual should be performed only by a licensed and insured gunsmith. You use this material entirely at your own risk. Fundamental Build LLC and the project's contributors make no warranty of any kind and accept no liability for death, injury, damage or loss arising from its use. Full terms: LEGAL.md.