New to Glocks - primer denting?

[rluening]

I just purchased my first Glock - a used 27. S/N is BSTxxx - I have yet to figure out when it was made. Anybody know? I called Glock, but got sent to voicemail.

I glanced at 2 unfired rounds that were cycled through it, and noticed that both had barely perceptible indentations in the primer. Following FAQs found online it seems to function test OK.

Coming from a background of hammer fired guns (plus the HK P7), I was a little surprised to see the dents.

Is this typical Glock behavior, or signs of a dangerous issue?

Thanks!

/rl

 

[aquapong]

The primer should have a circular dent with a rectangle outline. If it doesn't, I'd bet money there's gunk in the firing pin channel. If you've got a friend that can show you how to detail strip it, that would be helpful. If not, just search on the interweb for the how to. Your Glock should have been born in Jan of '96.

 

[rluening]

Thanks, aquapong

These are on unfired cases - the slide has simply been dropped on them. They are very faint indentations.

I'm getting ready to strip the slide right now. More later...

/rl

 

[rluening]

Mystery solved...

After checking to make sure the striker moved freely a second time, I checked the rest of the ammo in the box - I thought it was odd the the indentations seemed to come from a much smaller point than the striker...

About 40% of the ammo from that box have the same mark. Most of them were never in a magazine, much less the chamber. The marks must be from the priming die at the factor.

Now I feel stupid.

Thanks for the advice, though.

/rl

 

[loop]

Many primers show a small indentation at the center.

The primer material is added wet and has to be allowed to dry in the primer case. When the primer is seated in the case the anvil is pressed into the primer material. This often leaves a slight mark in the center of the primer.

But, without the step of pressing the anvil into the primer material the primer would not detonate and you would have a dud.

Most factory loaded ammo does not show this slight marring. When I reload I back off the primer seating until I do not see any mark, they I turn it back a 1/4 turn to make sure I get just the slightest imprint. It assures me the firing pin will detonate the primer.