13# hammer/main spring giving me ~25% light strikes

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grimblyd

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Have a CZ75 SP 01 (not shadow) and put a 13 lb main spring in it. (no really. It isn't a shadow... lol. Can't tell you how many times I have to convince people of this. I should just buy a shadow and let it go...)

Immediately got around 25% light strikes.

Running CCI primers (using a Lee loadmaster and there is some fear of changing primers that apparently can blow up in it, so sticking with the CCI)

I'm contemplating 2 paths to fix this.

getting a polish job on trigger and seer (local shop will do it for ~$110)

and/or

going to a 16# spring.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and experience regarding this.
 
I have a Shadow so not sure if this all transfers over but a lot of the folks going to lighter springs also went with the extended firing pin and a lighter firing pin spring.
 
Springs can be of somewhat variable power depending on batches and the care taken to match them. It may be that the spring you got is close to a 12 or maybe even 11 lb spring.

Another thing to consider is that grunge buildup in the hammer slot and pin can slow down the hammer's fall by a little and that might be what the issue is. Or perhaps the firing pin is gunked up. Be sure to clean all these areas including removing the firing pin and cleaning out then lightly oiling the firing pin and the hole in the slide.
 
I had issues with the CCI primers and light strikes when I ran a Shadow and used the 13# hammer spring. (Not 25%, but enough to be an issue). Moving to Federal primers solved the issue.

The Dominion primers - currently my favourite - are also soft and worth trying.
 
Try an extended firing pin. I have a 13# mainspring and I've cut 2 coils from it. On advice from... I think it was "Ceezer", I installed a longer firing pin.

I still get the odd light strike, but not many. I suspect that if I'd only cut one coil, I would have no issues at all, but as I only shoot bullseye, it's not worth worrying about.
 
2 CZ-SP01's here (and mine ARE Shadows :p) and I run a 13# main spring with no problems at all. CCI, Winchester and Federal primers all go bang.

(E) :cool:

PS
On the Loadmaster primer comment, I've crushed Fed primers in mine with no issues. Literally. Flipped sideways, stuffed them into the primer pocket and mashed flat. Lovely crunch sound. I don't know what people are doing to set their's off, but I've had luck with them.
 
Check to see if you are seating your primers fully. If you don;t seat them fully you will get light strikes as the first firing pin strike pushed the primer fully down and often the 2nd strike will set them off. This can be a real problem if you are using S&B brass.

A 13# spring should set any primer off.

Federal primers are primed with an older priming formula and are easier to set off than primers with the newer formulas. I have discussed this with a Federal rep. CCI and Federal are owned by the same company. Federal primers are made in the East while the CCI plant I believe is in Idaho.

I have never heard of a primer "blowing up" while reloading, although I am sure it has happened. I have also crushed my share of Federal, Win, Remington and CCI primers while reloading and have never once had one go bang. If you are concerned about this happening never get out of bed in the morning. Just saying. FYI CCI primers are no harder than any other primer and Federal primers are made by the same company albeit in a different plants and are no softer. Different compounds apparently but that is it. I should add I have also used "Dominion" primers coming out of the Ukraine with 100% reliability so there you go.

Take Care

Bob
 
I disagree with Bob only based on personal experiences.
Federal primers (cup) do seem to be softer and always go off, this I use them in match ammo. Dominion give me 1-2% light strikes and thus I use them for practice only. Last Wednesday I experienced dud Dominion primer too.
 
CeeZer said:
I disagree with Bob only based on personal experiences.
Federal primers (cup) do seem to be softer and always go off, this I use them in match ammo. Dominion give me 1-2% light strikes and thus I use them for practice only. Last Wednesday I experienced dud Dominion primer too.
Click to expand...

Seem to be is the operative word. Seemed does not make it so.

It isn't the thickness of the cup but rather the old primer formula that sets off easier than the newer versions used in REM, CCI & WIN. You must have a light mainspring in your gun. I have gone through almost 20K Dominion and have no light strikes in all my 38spl, 9MM, 40cal, 45acp and 45Colts. I have had a dud primer though, missing anvil, and that may have been a salvaged primer from a case I ruined when I seated a bullet in a 38spl case. I know Slavex has gone through even more of them without any issues.

Your opinion though and it as valid as anyone else including mine.

Take Care

Bob
 
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