fireing pin question

[sniperjwt]

ok here is the problem i have. Today while shooting a load that i have shot for the last 6 years and had something happen that has never happened to me. The fireing pin punctured a hole in the primer. Just to see if it was a fluke i shot another one ( with my head turned away from it ) and it done it again. I was a little scared to do it again. It is a Enfield 1917 action. Does anybody know what might have happened. My guess is the fireing pin is comming too far out but thats just a guess. Please any help you can give me would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[justgoto]

Since I have one of those myself, this post peaked my interest.

Doing a google search I gather that unless the tip your firing pin is damaged causing a sharp point the pin isn't puncturing the primer. So check to see if your pin is sharp first.

The next issue I found was your spring not being strong enough. I'll quote the post I found.

But if the firing pin blow is weak, just enough to fire the primer, the pressure forces the firing pin back and forces a disc of primer metal back into the firing pin hole in the bolt, leaving a hole in the primer, which is not "pierced", but blown out. The little disc ends up inside the bolt and if enough accumulate will cause misfires.

So check to see if there are little discs in your bolt.

In case you haven't taken your bolt apart before...

http://www.tiropratico.com/manuali-pdf/M/m1917smontaggio1.pdf


I don't think your firing pin can be too long all of a sudden unless there is some damage to the beefier parts of it. While your bolt is apart look for any signs of damage.

(Might as well do some maintenance while you have it apart.)
Basic Rifle Maintenance - Part 1

By Vince Bottomley


It may be the ammo? I know I have never had any sort of problem with mine, try some different ammo if you don't find any other problem.

More info is always helpful.
Was it just two rounds of did you shoot more beforehand that were ok?
How long was it since you last shot it?
Do you keep it cocked while storing? (I let my spring relax.)

I hope you figure it out.

 

[justgoto]

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f17/hodgen-powder-issues-44114/

It seems that a hot load can pierce primers also.

 

[300R]

I would pull apart a load and check your charge weight and go form there,if you are using factory ammo it will likely be firing pin spring or tip.

 

[sniperjwt]

I had shot 3 shots prior to the 2 that pierced the primer. I have been useing this load for years and useing the same lot of powder. Hmmm i wonder if it might be the primer. With the shortage of federal primers i used CCI 200 primers i have been useing Federal 210M primers. Do you think that would make a difference? I did not notice a difference in speed on any of the shots. Now im not so sure.

 

[sniperjwt]

i dont think i have to tell you which ones are pierced but if you have bad eyes its the ones on the right. The other three on the left are the ones i shot prior to shooting these two. The primers are hit very hard on these as well almost piercing them. Just for the fun of it i primed a couple cased of different primers and fired them. That is the second picture. Not sure how well you can see it but the are almost pierced as well. Took the bolt apart but could not see anything visibly wrong. Now i have no idea. Please help.

 

[J E Custom]

I had shot 3 shots prior to the 2 that pierced the primer. I have been useing this load for years and useing the same lot of powder. Hmmm i wonder if it might be the primer. With the shortage of federal primers i used CCI 200 primers i have been useing Federal 210M primers. Do you think that would make a difference? I did not notice a difference in speed on any of the shots. Now im not so sure.

Caution !!!!!

When you change primers you "change the load". It could be much hotter.

Also it could be that the primers have a softer cup for better ignition and if your firing
pin is on the long side that could do it.

First I would switch back to the 210s and see if it happens any more. If it does
then the firing pin stop may be worn enough to allow the pin more travel.

J E CUSTOM

 

[sniperjwt]

Re: fireing pin question please help

Caution !!!!!

When you change primers you "change the load". It could be much hotter.

Also it could be that the primers have a softer cup for better ignition and if your firing
pin is on the long side that could do it.

First I would switch back to the 210s and see if it happens any more. If it does
then the firing pin stop may be worn enough to allow the pin more travel.

J E CUSTOM

not sure if you can tell but in the second picture i did switch back to the other primers and it all but pierced them.
Where is the fireing pin stop and how do i change it? Assuming its wore

 

[Loner]

Every time you pierce a primer your firing pin gets gas cut. Sometimes it only takes
a couple to sharpen it just enough to ruin it. You need to tighten it up in the hole
anyway, I would just get it done. Either a larger dia. pin if available or have the hole
bushed and a new stock pin or rework the end of yours if it is long enough. m2c.

 

[J E Custom]

Re: fireing pin question please help

not sure if you can tell but in the second picture i did switch back to the other primers and it all but pierced them.
Where is the fireing pin stop and how do i change it? Assuming its wore

If you remove the fireing pin you will see the larger area behind the fireing pin that hits
against the inside of the bolt stopping the pin at a predetermined distance (Normally
.050 to .055 thousandths past the bolt face.

The easy way to fix this is to order a new firing pin for it or measure the protrusion from the bolt face and sand it down untill it is withen spec.

PT&G Makes a firing pin gauge if you want one.

J E CUSTOM