Improving AR-7 Survival Rifle Firing Pin Reliablility

[dubious]

Hey folks, I've got a new Henry Survival Rifle. I've worked most of the kinks out of it, but it's firing reliability leaves something to be desired. I've tried a wide variety of ammo and have a failure to fire about once in 10 or 15 rounds. The indentation on the rim is sometimes a little bit light.

I'm thinking about increasing the forward travel of the firing pin by grinding off just a hair (less than 1/16") from the back of the retaining hole. That's the hole in the side of the firing pin that the retaining pin goes into.

In the following pic, you can see the retaining hole clearly in the middle of the pin. I want to grind down the right side of the hole. The left side of the pin is the striking surface.

I don't foresee how this could damage the rifle, and I think it SHOULD correct my problems. Do any of y'all know how this could fail?

Thanks
Dubious

 

[madmike]

Have you checked the striker (firing pin) spring?

 

[dubious]

I haven't checked the firing pin spring. I've only had this gun for a week or so, and I haven't figured it out completely.

I feel trepadation at the idea that I might have to disassmble the trigger group to get to the firing pin spring. But that is definitely a good idea for me to check out. Do you know how I can check the spring? Do I check its strength with a scale? Do I check its length?

Cheers
Dubious

 

[madmike]

I'm not entirely sure, but if you can try it in place, see how much resistance it has. It could be clogged with gunk. So could the channel the striker rides in.

If the striker was built to tolerance, it shouldn't need modified. If it's not, I'd replace it completely. Either buy one factory, or it looks simple enough to drill and file from spring stock and harden with a torch. Better than possibly weakening, misaligning or otherwise the original.

 

[Seven High]

I would contact Henry and see what they can advise about your problem. Possibly your rifle was subject to a recall.