Hard primers or my Ruger P90

[tikka-guy]

On a recent trip to the range, I had 4 out of 25 rounds where the hammer of my P90 dropped and nothing happened. A second trigger pull worked each time.

The ammunition was Sellier & Bellot FMJ. Are they known for hard primers, or am I looking at a potential firearm issue here? This is the first time I've had it happen... otherwise the P90 has been flawless.

Anything I should look for on the pistol that would signify an issue there, or chalk this up to the ammo?

Thanks!

 

[Fishslayer]

Had it happen with my reloads in my P90. Inspection found my primers in that batch not fully seated. They were CCI, known for being hard. Generally a primer igniting on the second try is a not fully seated primer.

No problems whatsoever with fully seated CCI & Win primers large & small. Nor with Win or Rem factory ammo.

My somewhat educated guess would be ammo. Have you changed any springs? How about other brands of ammo?

 

[ku4hx]

What's your round count? It's important to know if this is the first 25 rounds ever fired from your gun or the last 25 in a string of thousands.

I load all my own ammunition, and with the 30,000 round count for my KP-90 fast approaching, I've had no record of any primer failures of any kind. But then I keep all my guns lubed per the maker's instructions, clean after every firing and I do the recommended spring replacements per the maker's advice.

Neither ammunition nor guns are perfect and all are subject to failures and anomalies. First thing I'd suggest is a thorough cleaning to get rid of any accumulated crud that might be affecting proper operation. After that, I'd not panic and have a wait and see attitude. Maybe S&B had a batch with high primers. Maybe your gun is defective. But one occurrence in a row does not a trend establish ... stuff happens.

 

[tikka-guy]

I bought the pistol used several years ago, so I can't know the exact round count. I've put about 500 rounds through it since.

I dropped in a new Wolf recoil spring but everything else is standard. I don't remember the exact poundage off-hand, but it's slightly stiffer than what comes from the factory.

The P90 was fresh off a field-strip and cleaning. I don't clean it every time I shoot it ... more like every 2-3 times. I rarely shoot more than 50 rounds during a range trip though, so it doesn't have a chance to get too dirty before a cleaning.

 

[railroader]

If you google s&b hard primers you will get a bunch of hits on this subject. You know if this is an ammo you plan to shoot alot you could get fresh hammer spring.

 

[ku4hx]

I bought the pistol used several years ago, so I can't know the exact round count. I've put about 500 rounds through it since.

I dropped in a new Wolf recoil spring but everything else is standard. I don't remember the exact poundage off-hand, but it's slightly stiffer than what comes from the factory.

The P90 was fresh off a field-strip and cleaning. I don't clean it every time I shoot it ... more like every 2-3 times. I rarely shoot more than 50 rounds during a range trip though, so it doesn't have a chance to get too dirty before a cleaning.

The process of elimination then tells you to suspect the primers either being excessively hard of not fully seated or both.

As railroader said, if you plan on shooting a lot of this ammunition, you'd do well to get and extra power spring if they're available. Wolff may can help you with that.

 

[tikka-guy]

I'm not partial to S&B. Just what I happened to have on hand.

I just wanted to double check my suspicion about the ammunition. Thanks for the info everyone.

 

[Steve C]

Did you look at the dent left by the firing pin. A light hit can usually be distinguished from a common hit. If the ammo was handloaded this is a common symptom of primers not being fully seated. Isn't likely the fault of the primers or the ammo. I've shot many thousand rounds of S&B ammo without ever a failure to fire in both the 9mm and .45 acp.

An issue with the pistols firing pin could have caused the failure. A dirty finring pin chanel can slow the pin down enough to make it hit lighter. A broken firing pin tip can cause failure and a mushroomed rear portion of the firing pin that's been dry fired too often can hang it up. A gun that's got too dirty can slow the firing pin or cushion the cartridge and prevent proper chambering.

Anything that slows or blocks the hammer strike could be the culprit. A partially engaged safety could be the culprit as the Ruger safety blocks the hammer from striking the firing pin. Any aftermarket springs or added accessories are suspect.

Give the gun a good clean and lube and then do some more shooting. If you have a bad round examine it to see if the firing pin hit it just as hard as other rounds or even hit it. It could be the ammo, just not likely.