Slam fire? .45 Colt Lever Gun.

[Qball16]

I was at the range the other day and had a round discharge as I was chambering it. The rifle is a Rossi R92 in .45 Colt. I probably had 40 rounds through it when it happened. It fired at the very end of the lever being returned to firing position. Because the bolt was basically closed all the way, and I was pointed down range, there were no repercussions of any kind. Is this a known issue? What could cause this? Was it a sticky firing pin, a hammer malfunction or did I somehow have my finger on the trigger? Has anyone else ever see this happen?

Scott

 

[MartinS]

Did the hammer fall?

 

[rcmodel]

If the hammer fell and hit the firing pin, as it had to have done.

The 92 action will not allow pulling the trigger until the action is at least partially locked shut.

If the hammer followed the bolt the half-cock safety should have stopped it before it could fire a round.

Bugger hook on the bang switch is the most likely cause!

rc

 

[MartinS]

Make sure the firing pin moves freely in the bolt.

 

[The Alaskan]

If your finger is anywhere near the trigger, that will happen.

Lever guns require an additional layer of caution, in my opinion.

 

[Steve S.]

I own a 1873 Winchester (Miroku made) in .45 Colt; it is "stiff" to cycle sometimes requiring extra force to raise the round from the loading tube but always smooth to the chamber. I have read at least one account of this occurrence but I have never had a slam discharge. I always work the lever with my trigger finger out of the trigger loop - so far, no slam fire (knock on wood). Good shooting.

 

[dh1633pm]

The best question was did the hammer fall? I have a Rossi in 45 LC. No issues through hundreds of rounds.

 

[Jackal]

Did you by chance remove the bolt safety and install something in its place?

 

[Edster12]

I am with rcmodel it was your very own finger that is the culprit. I have had it happen to me a time or two.

 

[dh1633pm]

I can't speak for the initiator of the thread, but my Rossi safety has long been trashed. Replaced with a simple plug. Never had any issues.

 

[Rodman579]

a Rossi 1892 does not have a lever safety and can be fired out of battery if the firing pin safety is off. the safety on the top is a firing pin safety and it is completely different than a lever safety. you possibly could have hit the trigger as the lever was being closed. if it was a true out of battery in a lever gun it would have slammed that lever forward. I am not trying to blame you but more than likely you hit the trigger as you closed the lever. I have seen in many a times in cowboy action shooting and have done it my self several times just getting out of timing with the rifle.

 

[MEHavey]

Again for the OP to respond: Had the hammer fallen?

 

[Tommygunn]

Again for the OP to respond: Had the hammer fallen?

It fired at the very end of the lever being returned to firing position. Because the bolt was basically closed all the way....

From this I will hypothesize that Qball16 experienced a slamfire and as a result of a firing pin that had (A.) broken, (B.) become jammed due to dirt or grit or a burr. In either case the condition may be repeated -- especially a broken firing pin, which could atleast in theory work sometimes and on occasion become oriented in such a way as to cause a slam-fire. A burr could possibly induce this behaviour but dirt or grit I should think would be a more steady problem.
It would help to know what happened to the hammer ----- knowing if it remained cocked, or fell forward would really help determine a true cause ... malfunctioning firearms can be dang tricky to diagnose over the internets as we cannot actually examine the real gun.

 

[MEHavey]

I've had the hammer follow the bolt and/or release on bolt closure shock in a (very light triggered) `92 before. **
What the OP posts as to "...the bolt was basically closed all the way...." in no way answers the hammer-fall question.

And as TommyGun notes above, that makes a big difference as to the danger involved.




** and in answer to the obvious question... "yes I fixed it"

 

[Jackal]

If something gets jammed in the firing pin channel, under the bolt safety, it can cause slam fire. Thats why I asked if it had been removed. I have seen burrs or poorly fitted plugs that can prevent rearward motion of the pin. The hammer doesnt have to fall in order to fire, if your pin is stuck forward, ala SKS.

 

[shafter]

I think you probably closed the lever with your finger on the trigger. It's easy to do if you aren't paying attention. Don't ask me how I know...