answer to DA test
- Thread starter cycle-m
- Start date
See http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1013637-DA-test
Probably would have been better to leave the answer on the thread started earlier, so as to keep the posts in context.
Personally, I think I would start with a box of primers and some brass and do a 'almost' live fire test and snap a bunch of primers in various modes of DA fire, eg: fast, slow and deliberate, that sort of thing. Should any events take place where the primer was hit way off center but still close enough to fire, that would be all it would take to convince me that the DA mechanism needed work.
IMO it is going to be that one off index round that is going to cause the problems. Things will get a little violent around the forcing cone and the front of the cylinder. Strikes elsewhere on the case are their own set of related problems.
Cheers
Trev
Probably would have been better to leave the answer on the thread started earlier, so as to keep the posts in context.
Personally, I think I would start with a box of primers and some brass and do a 'almost' live fire test and snap a bunch of primers in various modes of DA fire, eg: fast, slow and deliberate, that sort of thing. Should any events take place where the primer was hit way off center but still close enough to fire, that would be all it would take to convince me that the DA mechanism needed work.
IMO it is going to be that one off index round that is going to cause the problems. Things will get a little violent around the forcing cone and the front of the cylinder. Strikes elsewhere on the case are their own set of related problems.
Cheers
Trev
I'd suggest to the mods that we merge these two threads if possible.
I should note that there is one factor in most of these solutions might not work - in my experience quite a few antiques have firing pins that don't strike center on a primer. Usually low, but hey, sometimes even properly locked up they strike right or left. The solutions of checking primers for centered strikes is only effective if the hammer actually strikes center when the chamber is properly indexed. Just a side note to keep in mind.
I'd repeat to OP that he should take it in to get checked over. 1873's are easy to get antique paperwork for, so if his gunsmith is leery of it he can always provide that to show it's all above board.
I should note that there is one factor in most of these solutions might not work - in my experience quite a few antiques have firing pins that don't strike center on a primer. Usually low, but hey, sometimes even properly locked up they strike right or left. The solutions of checking primers for centered strikes is only effective if the hammer actually strikes center when the chamber is properly indexed. Just a side note to keep in mind.
I'd repeat to OP that he should take it in to get checked over. 1873's are easy to get antique paperwork for, so if his gunsmith is leery of it he can always provide that to show it's all above board.
The way I check DA indexing is with a bore light down the barrel, and looking for the edge of the cylinder face in relation to the forcing cone edge. Use a fired case or snap cap so that the cylinder "locks" in place once fired and keep the trigger in the fired position if the gun requires it, like a Colt 1892 DA. You can easily see if you have too much cylinder face on one side, meaning it's out of alignment. You can also carefully do this with the firing pin hole by dry firing the gun and pulling the hammer back then peeking through the hole to see if there is too much forcing cone edge on one side. Just make sure not to touch the cylinder so it stays in it's fired position.
