686 light primer strikes

[BP44]

:banghead:

I picked up a 686 plus 6" about a year ago "Lightly used" and the first and only time I took it out it had a problem lighting primers. I figured it was just a weak main spring so i boxed it up and put it into the safe. It' been eating at me for a while so I ordered a new manespring from wolff and put it in the other day and took it out this morning to see it have light strikes once again. It will light strike in both DA and SA only once every 40 or so rounds, which is way to much. So, I guess the question is is where can i find a new hammer or what does it take to put a new firing pin in the old hammer?

 

[w_houle]

Has the screw for the spring been filed on?

 

[BP44]

No, it looks just like the other ones i have.

 

[w_houle]

If you pop the cylinder back and hold back the cylinder release to simulate the cylinder being in place: Pull the hammer back, pull the trigger and follow the hammer forward and push the hammer forward; how much firing pin protrudes from the hole?

 

[BP44]

With my hi tech eyeballin it looks just a touch shorter than my other 686. I will try to get a set of calipers in there and measure the pin differences on the two of them. thanks

 

[czrami9]

What ammo are you using. I had light strike problems with a Baby Eagle 45, that after much frustration, turned out to be ammo related.

 

[BP44]

I have tried rem,win,and my reloads.

 

[w_houle]

Has the breech face been peened by dry firing? It could allow the firing pin to not fully protrude.
Edit: IF there is plenty of firing pin coming through, and the hole isn't peened; check your head space.
"If you have misfires, light primer strikes, or bulged cases, excessive headspace might be the culprit. Using headspace gauges or a fired cartridge case and a feeler gauge, you can easily check this out."
http://www.shootingtimes.com/gunsmithing/ST_revolverheadspace_200805/index.html

 

[BP44]

Well after further inspection the strain spring does look to be shorter than my other 686. Maby someone did file about 1/16" (.020) off but they polished it and it looks stock unless you put it side my side with other one.

 

[w_houle]

Had the feeling that someone did a home brewed trigger job on it

 

[BP44]

Yep, you called it

I appreciate the help and thanks to you all for help trouble shooting this thing.

 

[easyrider604]

Light primer strikes? What kind of grips do you have on it?

If you have rubber Pachmayr grips, it is possible that the grip screw is too tight resulting in the rubber flexing inward and squeezing the mainspring.
Happened to me.

This problem will not happen with Hogues.

 

[Confederate]

One last thing to check.

Put a loaded cartridge in the chamber under the firing pin. With a feeler gauge, measure the distance between the cylinder shield (where the firing pin hole is) and the case head. It should be no more than .009". If it's higher (mine had a .013), you'll have to send it back to the factory and tell them it's a headspace issue.

This is a problem with many of the older Smiths, but never seen it in a Ruger.

Just another thought. You've most likely nailed it.