Handgun breakdown

Question
Sir; I need the proper breakdown procedure for a Smith & Wesson model 410S. I thought I knew it, but I seem to be having difficulty removing the retention pin. Also what would be your recommended cleaner and protectant, and would you recommend the use of federal hydro-shocks in the weapon? If not, what ammo would you recommend for home defense? Thank you for your consideration.  

Answer
Mr. Garvey:

The 410 should field-strip like nearly every SW auto based on the Model 59 design:

1) Remove the magazine

2) Be sure the chamber is empty

3) With the hammer back, retract the slide until the disassembly notch matches up with the shoulder of slide-stop.

4) From the ejection port side of the gun, push out the slide stop (if it does not go easily, check to make sure the notch is correctly lined up - if it is, the retaining spring is tight, and you may been to tap it with a soft (leather or nylon) mallet for it to come free.

5) Slide the slide off the gun to the front, and place the slide upside down on the table. Remove the recoil spring guide rod (be careful, I don't believe the spring is captured), and take the barrel out though the bottom of the slide.

Regarding cleaner, I have come to greatly favor the new formulations of non-toxic, biodegradable offerings such as M Pro-7 and Hoppes Elite.  I have not had as much success with these cleaners in rifles, specifically in addressing copper fouling, but handgun pressures are low and the copper comes out easily.  These cleaners works as good as anything on powder fouling and carbon, and the fact that they are non-toxic keeps me from worrying about developing cancer at a later stage in life.

As the gun is aluminum and stainless, unless you live at the beach, or in a very humid climate, or have what guitar players call "poison fingers" (some people's bodily excretions corrode metals in short order), simply wiping it down with a silicone clothe should offer adequate protection.  If you need more than that, in tests conducted by Brownells, BreakFree CLP was among the best for rust protection.

Regarding lubricant (which you didn't ask about, but I'll offer an opinion), I like the Militec 1 a great deal.  I am not a fan of CLP for lube, as it has Teflon in it, and my experience with it is that multiple applications of it tend to get "sticky" or "gummy."

Regarding ammunition: Almost any modern premium defense ammunition is good, and will have similar performance.  But I am partial to HydraShock in .40, and in fact that is what the Glock I have on my belt right now is loaded with.