Help! Primer "drag."

[Intune]

Hi all, I am firing an older (’86) Sig 220 .45 and am noticing a strange mark on my spent primers. The best way to describe it is that it looks like the firing pin “drags†across the primer during the ejection process. It looks like a “Q†Does anyone know what causes this? Before I start replacing recoil springs, firing pin springs, etc, only to find out that I just needed to pop some roll pins & give the breach a good cleaning. Thanks in advance for the help ‘cause I KNOW somebody on this board (probably a bunch) have the answer(s)

 

[cordex]

I'm not a P220 expert by any measure, but it sounds like a dirty firing pin channel. You might try cleaning that out if you can.

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

If it is just a dirty firing pin channel, a squirt of "Break Free
CLP", should help clean it out. Maybe that will solve that
problem?

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[cordex]

Ala Dan,
It is my understanding that the firing pin channel should not be left wet - even with CLP. If you don't disassemble and wipe the parts dry, at least blow it out with some compressed air.

 

[Intune]

Found this on the Sig Forum, feel better now.

Q: Why does the firing pin on my SIG make an elongated mark on the primers?

A: "The Firing pin on SIG Sauer pistols stays protruded out of the breech face during the ejection process, and make a drag mark across the primer. This is completely normal for SIGs, and said to be designed that way to prevent powder residue, and other debris from the firing process from entering the firing pin channel.

This does not adversely affect functioning or accuracy in any way.

I have personally noticed that it tends to be more prevalent on some brands of ammo more than others."



Well, I'll be... Learn something new every day. Now if my Colt starts doing it, I have trouble. Thanks for the replies all.

 

[Grump]

Now if my Colt starts doing it, I have trouble.

Only if it does it with light loads. A tiny bit of firing pin drag is common with many autoloaders using the tilt-barrel unlocking systems, especially with full loads/high (not necessarily bad) slide velocity.

 

[Ala Dan]

Well, we all learned something today; cuz I sure didn't
have a clue as to the cause of the problem!
I will look at some of my spent cases, when time permits.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[batangueno]

I've read in a gun mag that if you're getting primer drags you should get a heavier recoil spring.

I'll try to check that magazine again later.

 

[ThreadKiller]

Wouldn't a heavier firing spring help as well? (In addition to the heavier slide spring?)

Tim