I have been having 1 shot in every 20 rounds fail to fire . After examining the ammunition i discovered that the firing pin dent in the primer is faint .What do i need to do first ? This pistol has many aftermarket parts on it . And has a 3 lb tripper pull .
Weak primer hits with 1911 COLT .45
- Thread starter ricka2
- Start date
Are you reloading your own ammunition? You might consider looking for "high primers". If the primer isn't seated all the way in, sometimes a portion of the firing pin's energy goes into pushing the primer forward, and the subsequent loss in energy results in the primer not going off.
Okay, if it's factory ammo, then I'm pretty much out of ideas, because I'm not a gunsmith and pretty much as mechanically inept as they come.
1. I would still check the ammo for high primers.
2. I would check to see if the primers are showing "shiny brass coloured splotches" where the firing pin hits the brass. I've had brass flow back into the primer hole and shear off, blocking the firing pin hole for the next round. This shouldn't be a problem with factory ammo, but if you're firing pin is not supporting the case during firing, you can get primer flow.
3. I seem to recall that one of the tests is to put a ball point pen into the barrel of an unloaded gun and pull the trigger. The pen should come flying out at a pretty good pace. If it doesn't, then maybe your mainspring is too light.
4. Are all of your hits light? Maybe your firing pin is too large for the firing pin hole.
Just some ideas...like I said, I'm no gunsmith. If I have any problems, I take them to the local guy (SGFX) to fix.
1. I would still check the ammo for high primers.
2. I would check to see if the primers are showing "shiny brass coloured splotches" where the firing pin hits the brass. I've had brass flow back into the primer hole and shear off, blocking the firing pin hole for the next round. This shouldn't be a problem with factory ammo, but if you're firing pin is not supporting the case during firing, you can get primer flow.
3. I seem to recall that one of the tests is to put a ball point pen into the barrel of an unloaded gun and pull the trigger. The pen should come flying out at a pretty good pace. If it doesn't, then maybe your mainspring is too light.
4. Are all of your hits light? Maybe your firing pin is too large for the firing pin hole.
Just some ideas...like I said, I'm no gunsmith. If I have any problems, I take them to the local guy (SGFX) to fix.
ricka2 said:
I've read on some US forums that Winclean primers are much tougher than normal "lead" ones.
The consenus (spelling?) is that the Winclean is very clean and great for the range, but not for carry weapons (which we dont need to worry about anyway).
So yeah, it's normal - you could try a new hammer spring/heavier hammer spring.
~Cheers
i've been getting light primer strikes with my 44 as well- not every time- seems to be something about the gold -colored primers- whack it twice or single action and it goes boom- maybe the cups are thicker or something- anyway, i switched over to cci-
G37 said:
It has always been my opinion that the Winclean primers were softer. They are particularly bad in the 357 Mag where they flatten right out and crater enough to seize the cylinder.
Check the firing pin spring to ensure that it is OK. I had a gun have problems when the spring broke and the pieces caused various problems including FA fire. Also consider a new mainspring. Maybe the current on is a little weak.
I would start first by cleaning the firing pin hole and inspect the firing pin tip. Check firing spring bend spring. If all is alright, then the hammer spring might have been cut or replaced in order to get you a better trigger pull. Change it by a standard spring. This should fix it.
Since this gun has a 3 lbs trigger, I would bet on the hammer spring having being cut or modified.
Since this gun has a 3 lbs trigger, I would bet on the hammer spring having being cut or modified.
Janeau said:
Excellent advice...just to clarify ricka2 - the firing pin spring actually resists the firing pins travel to the primer (there to try to prevent the pistol from firing due to an inertial surge, such as when the gun is dropped onto it's muzzle)...certainly a broken one would cause problems.
In any case I'd put my money on a "lightened" or "tired" mainspring.
Good luck, and please let us know what you find - Jeff/1911.
