Light Primer Strikes

Smokinyotes

Smokinyotes

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Had my semi out yesterday and had probably a half dozen light primer strikes out of 50 shots. Gun is DI and was clean prior to shooting.

Just wondering what the usual causes are.
 
Could possibly be hard primers? Was this commercial ammunition or reloaded?

Another possibility could be weak hammer spring

You also mentioned it’s clean, does that include the firing pin and firing pin channel?
 
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Raven in 7.62x39? Some x39 users have reported needing extra power wolf hammer springs. I had maybe 2 light primer strikes on my 5.56 Raven before my BCG was worked in.
 
This is on my Raven 5.56. I have shot mainly just handloads with Lapua Brass. This was the same load with Hornady brass. That is the only difference.
 
I had the exact same issue on my Raven 5.56

I was using a Duty Trigger from TriggerTech, every 2nd - 3rd round would be a light primer due to a very weak hammer.
They replaced it under Warranty, turns out it had faulty components. No issues since.

My guess is you need a beefier spring.
 
Type of primer is needed to be answered first, but I have had light primer strikes on a gun that used to work just fine, and with the same ammo prior to me cleaning it.
The gun at question was a handgun, Glock 17, and I cleaned it with the then wonder lube CLP, "Frog lube" which smells wonderful, so I slathered everything in it as the gun was filthy and cleaned it up. Next range day...light strikes. Couldn't touch off a single round.

Turns out the wonderlube is wax based and in my slathering, I got some in the firing pin channel. The wax was enough to slow the striker/firing pin so only light strikes were possible.

I cleaned the firing pin and its channel and away it went like a clock.

After addressing the type of primer, check to see whether it's possible the firing pin is either broken, or grease (wax) is in the firing pin bore?
 
Painkillers said:
Type of primer is needed to be answered first, but I have had light primer strikes on a gun that used to work just fine, and with the same ammo prior to me cleaning it.
The gun at question was a handgun, Glock 17, and I cleaned it with the then wonder lube CLP, "Frog lube" which smells wonderful, so I slathered everything in it as the gun was filthy and cleaned it up. Next range day...light strikes. Couldn't touch off a single round.

Turns out the wonderlube is wax based and in my slathering, I got some in the firing pin channel. The wax was enough to slow the striker/firing pin so only light strikes were possible.

I cleaned the firing pin and its channel and away it went like a clock.

After addressing the type of primer, check to see whether it's possible the firing pin is either broken, or grease (wax) is in the firing pin bore?
Click to expand...
I took the BCG out tonight, wasn’t that dirty. Cleaned any carbon from the bolt. Used brake clean and Boretech carbon remover. Lube everything well with EWL. I think the next time I shoot it I will try the lapua brass and the Hornady and see if it is just an issue with the Hornady.
If the Hornady had deeper primer pockets and the primer is being seated deeper could be a problem as well.
 
If you have a case/chamber gauge compare how two type of brass you have seat in gauge (check with already loaded rounds, of course, not empty brass). Say protrusion of firing pin is not perfect in your Raven and then some of you brass sinks in the gauge just a bit - you get either one or two factors possibly contributing to the issue.
Picture is for illustration of what is case gauge is.

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I have a Raven platinum build in .223 Wylde and while shooting reloads with CCI SRP I have experienced a rash of light primer strikes. I used a EGW case gauge and I have the Trigger Tech flat shoe upgrade OEM from Lockart. I can take the ejected rounds light struck rounds, load them into a new mag and almost all of them shot the 2nd time. Also ejecting the light struck rounds was a real PITA, I have to place the buttstock against my sternum and yank on the charging handle with both hands. The gun hasn't seen more than 200 rounds so I hope this will go away. I plan on giving the BCG and Bolt a nice long bath in the ultrasonic hot tub and see if that helps. Brass used was a mix of head stamps. I have experimented with Fireclean and frog lube on this upper.
 
Smokinyotes said:
I’ve never had any issues using Lapua brass. All the light strikes were on Hornady brass
Click to expand...
Different brass can have differently formed primer pockets.
The best are with a flat floor to full SAAMI depth.
I found that pockets like a bathroom sink where only the flash hole is at full depth are prone to having light strike issues.
It seems that it messes with the cup to anvil geometry when seated, keeping it from fully squeezing the primer compound at the anvil apex.
I use the Lyman pocket forming tool on ALL of my brass, regardless of brand.
After loading, I colour code the case head with a Sharpie so I'll know which range pickups have already been treated.
After doing this with ALL my calibers, including 9mm Luger, I've NEVER had a light strike since, couple thousand rounds later.
Mind you, my OCD keeps all my firing pins loose and clear, so they have not contributed since I got this way...
 
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