Light firing pin strikes on a Judge

[BlueHeelerFl]

I just bought a used Circuit Judge (I know its a rifle, but it's just a big Judge).

On DA is was getting light primer strikes on both 410 and 45 Colt ammo. (Only shot one brand of each). On SA the gun fired fine.

Any suggestions on how to remedy this issue?

The trigger seems a little light, so I'm not sure if it was adjusted or changed. Does a Taurus have a mainspring adjustment screw like S&W revolvers?

The mainspring does have what appears to be a blue coating that wipes off. Could that be packing grease? It's always possible the gun is overly dirty.

 

[BlueHeelerFl]

Also, the 410 shells stuck in the cylinder and had to be tapped out. I'm usually good with cleaning guns before shooting them, nut I didn't this time.

It seems like there was a circle of crud from 45 Colt shooting. It's nit as bad but I haven't gotten rid of it all yet

 

[Alaskan Ironworker]

My tracker did this occasionally when I first got it. I cleaned all the innards and it seems to be good now. Maybe check the firing pin cavity for burrs. Ive heard of people having this problem cutting a tiny bit off the firing pin rebound spring, but Id probably try to increase hammer spring power before Id try that. Seems like you could really easily throw a washer under the hammer spring between it and its keeper. Not sure if the judge is the same as the tracker, see picture. Of course this will also give you a heavier trigger pull.

 

[BlueHeelerFl]

Thanks for the info. I was able to Remove the firing pin and its spring without removing any other parts ( I also got them back in which is the more important part).

I cleaned them both and the firing pin cavity the best I could. I couldn't tell if there were any burrs. This is actually the first time I disassembled any gun to this degree.

After cleaning I used some spent 45 Colt cases to test out the DA strikes. They seemed to make an impression, but nowhere near as deep at the SA strikes that fire the rounds. But it is an improvement.

Honestly, I don't think the previous DA strikes make an impression at all on the primers.

I'll see how this works when I can get to the range again, and before I try any other changes to the gun

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

ALL double action revolvers make a harder strike against the primer in single action than in double action. That is the nature of the beast and caused by the design. The hammer of ANY double action revolver will be drawn further back when brought to full cock. It will be released slightly earlier when the trigger is pulled double action. When the hammer is drawn back further, the spring bends more, storing more mechanical energy in the spring. When shooting double action, the hammer releases sooner, so less energy has been pent up in the spring. I could show photos, but trust me on this.

So, if the hammer spring has been lightened or tuned to have just enough oomph to fire a primer in single action, it is entirely possible that light strikes will occur when pulling the trigger double action.

I have no idea if the Judge has a strain screw for the hammer spring. S&W revolvers do. (I have never actually examined a Governor, but every double action Smith I have ever owned has had one)

With any Smith and Wesson revolver, the strain screw should be tightened all the way. Many times shooters will back it out a half turn or so, to lessen the force needed to pull the trigger double action. But the screw is supposed to be snugged down all the way. If not, light firing pin strikes may occur in double action.

Obviously if there is gunk built up inside, this can rob power from the hammer spring, making light strikes more likely.

But the first thing to do is find if there is a strain screw. If so, and it has been backed out some, snug it down.

In this photo of the lockwork of a S&W Model 17, it can be seen that the strain screw down near the bottom of the grip is bending the hammer spring all the way. That is the way it is supposed to be. Backing the screw out can cause problems with light firing pin strikes which will first show up when shooting double action.