So this can't be good...
Saucy Trollop, the ex, and I went to the range Sunday for some fun. I brought both 1911s, and she brought her XD 40 and her GARGANTUAN .44 Magnum.
About that .44, it's been getting worse over time.
I noticed when she got it, it would occasionally not go off when fired Single Action. And since this is her preferred way of shooting that big revolver, she'd notice such behavior. I try to train her to do the "wait 30 seconds before trying again" thing in case it cooks off late, but the lesson isn't always sticking. I have nightmares about a round cooking off that isn't behind the barrel's forcing cone. Especially rounds that big.
Inspection of these duds shows a lighter than normal dimple on the primer. Aha! Light strikes.
They always worked for me when I reused these and fired the cylinder double action. Every time. Except this last time. We now got a .44 round with a full normal dimple on the back that didn't go off. Damn.
These issues have gotten more frequent over time. Time to sideline the .44 from active service until the problem is addressed.
Solutions? I recommended she get another ammo type. She has Remington now. I think she might get better performance if she had Federal types. American Eagle and the like. Federal has a reputation for light primers.
But that's not enough. I am going to take this puppy to my local gunsmith and get the gun inspected. Perhaps the firing pin has worn from use or some other adjustment can be made. Based on how the Double Action trigger feels this used gun is well worn in, methinks. Is a very nice DA. And it never fails to attract attention. One of my favorite range days is for her to accompany me, me with my snubbie S&W 640, her with the hand cannon 10" S&W 629. Her gun always attracts attention at the range. Moreso when they learn the little gun is mine, big burly me, and the artillery is little ol hers.
But yeah. Gunsmith. Definitely.
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11 comments:
Where does she store her ammo? My wife use to make me store it in the damp basement in our last house. If it sites for a long time in damp conditions, you can get duds.
There is a specific mechanical failure that can occur in S&W revolvers that can cause a light strike or no strike at all on single action.
A good gunsmith will be aware of this issue.
Make sure the Strain screw at the bottom of the front strap is fully tightened. If it has come lose, it can cause light strikes.
Ditto to 'That Guy'.
Back in the day we would see that a lot when a guy would come to qualifications with a 'great action job'.
'Saucy Trollop'? Does she blog?
Nice you can refer to her that way, and share a shooting range, without exchanging fire. Also nice she like the 10" 629. Must be some woman.
wv: copsuff - Sam Browne belts, handcuffs, ya know, copsuff.
Is it an older Smith w/o the silly safety switch? Then it's probably time for a tune up. As good as they made them, a lot of Full Power .44 Magnum is hard on any weapon.
Anon and the guy are right... and so are you Gunsmith time...
I would like it to be known that in the beginning, the Saucy Trollop fell in Love with my .44 mag. She had to have one.
Recoil is the drug.
My guess is the strain screw that provides tension on the hammer spring has backed out some. Re-tighten and see if that cures the problem. If it still occurs a replacement hammer spring is no big deal and not expensive.
All The Best,
Frank W. James
Oooo! Strain screw! That's something I can do... I'll test and report back.
Gunsmith, light strikes are probably the firing pin not quite coming out enough. Need special tools (micrometer I think)to know.
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