[Chewie095]

Ok, so I found a 1943 Nagant Revolver, sporter (bull barrel, adjustable sights, large grip really ugly but neat) for a song. I took her out to the range yesterday with some Hot Shot 7.62 Nagant ammo.


The good: 2 inch group at 25 yards, rested. Happy happy happy

The bad: Half of the time I pulled the trigger the pin made a mark on the primer... but no discharge. This is scary considering how hard it is to eject/load rounds in that beast. Also, one chamber required a pair of pliers to eject a spent round. Only one chamber, and no issues loading said chamber.

So, a stranger at the range suggested the ammo was the cause of the no fire. The firing pin clearly left a mark in the primer, and on second strike it went off. Is this probably the case? I've never used Hot Shot before... Nagant ammo is hard to find.

Any ideas on the tight chamber? I can probably just buy another Nagant and do parts swaps, but I want to make sure first.

Thanks in advance!

[JDGray]

Sounds like a high primer, second hit usually fires them:)

[Chewie095]

Is that safe? There were no accidents yesterday, but it worries me.

[JDGray]

The primer needs to be compleatly seated inorder to fire, the first hit seats it the rest of the way, the second hit can now fire it. Check your remaining cartridges, the primers should be flush or ideally a few thousands below flush. Not unsafe, just frusterating:)

[hiker44]

I agree that it sounds like you had a few high primers. The difficult extraction may be cured with a good cleaning. Check the chamber with a bright light for any dust, grit or low flying birds. You're going to enjoy the Nagant.

[NCsmitty]

There might be old cosmoline in your chambers, and some fine steel wool spun on a wood dowel will shine up the chambers. Try it and see if it makes a difference. Check your hammer also and make sure it does not have some old buildup under it keeping it from a solid drop. The Hotshot ammo can possibly be causing the FTF but eliminate the other stuff before blaming them totally.

NCsmitty

[Chewie095]

Thanks guys! I have since given the cylinder a good scrubbing, it didn't "look" nasty, but the patches were not so clean..... I hope to try her again soon!