First handy: Accuracy great...but misfire machine

[HPBTmatch]

Forward:  Please read the below knowing that I have fully read the FAQ's and understand that that handi's historically don't like remington ammo and that the trigger must be pulled back completely.

Gentlemen,
  I'm hoping to get some insight to a problem I'm having.  I purchased a new .223 handy from Dicks last week ( SB2-D23).  This model has the 24" bull barrel with the camo synthetic stock.  I'm not a fan of camo, but the price was right ( < $260).  Also picked up a 100 rounds of 55gr remington.  That night I fitted the fine swift scope I bought from QuickDtoo and gave the barrel a gratuitous lapping with JB bore bright.  The next day it was off to the races!
  After initial sighting and getting on paper at 30yds I stepped it out to 100yds.  Finally settled in and shot a few groups for accuracy.  Wow!  First 3 shot group was just under 3/8"!  Figuring it was a fluke, I shot 3 more groups.  Well, it was a fluke (I'm not that good of a shot...), But the follow up groups were between 3/4" to 1". During this time misfires were running about 30%, but due to how well the gun was shooting I didn't let it bother me.
 
  Riding home that night from the range I figured the only thing that needed a touch up on the gun (besides the misfires) was the trigger.  Bone stock it was breaking at just over 5lbs.  After disassemble and part polish it was at 3.75lbs.  Gently stoning the sear brought it down to a still crisp 2.5lbs.  Perfect.

 So, this morning at the range, I let a friend of mine try the "slightly improved" handi out.  No deal.  3 shots, three misfires.  Chalking that up to him not pulling the trigger correctly I sit down and have a go at it.  7 tries and 7 misfires.  Now I'm really puzzled...0-10 is not a good track record for reliability...

Once home I took it apart just to make sure I didn't accidently mess something up.  Nope...everything looked to be in order.  So now, I'm at a loss as to what to check next.  I could send it back to the factory, but having the trigger set were I want it and the rifle shooting so well, I'm afraid it wouldn't come back that way.  Performing the trigger job wasn't my first rodeo...and imagine whatever cure the factory performed I could do myself.  I just need to know were to look. 

  All the misfires had very light primer strikes, and no amount of reseating the round and trying to refire helped.  A firearm that is unable to ignite factory saami spec'd ammo is unsat...

If anyone has any ideas of what to try next I'd love to hear it.

Thanks,
-Match

[quickdtoo]

Too light of trigger is a known cause of failures to fire, the transfer bar isn't held up long enough as the trigger breaks to stay in position to transfer hammer force to the pin. Read the thread below, there are fixes for the other issues that may cause it. Weak hammer springs and short pin projection are at the top of the list as well as excess headspace.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,201977.msg1099046300.html#msg1099046300

[HPBTmatch]

Thanks for the quick response, Tim.

  I just did a quick check and headspacing looks good.  I assuming the hammer spring is ok due to being brand new (it feels good cocking it...).
  I think you may be on to something though with the transfer bar. As I'm loathe to have to go back to a heavier trigger I'm thinking about trying the following:

1.) Lighten the transfer bar return spring.
   and / or
2.)  stone the hammer face to give me more firing pin protrusion.

Time to bust out the punches again to tear it back down....wow are those a pain to remove 

Thanks,
-Match

[quickdtoo]

It's not really hard to do a trigger job with the right tools, a small wood wedge to hold the hammer back and the slave pin to aid in reassembly are invaluable, I can do a trigger job including adding a heavy latch spring in less than 45 minutes.  Weak hammer springs from the factory are a known issue too, a hammer extension aggravates the issue. 

Tim

[PlainsHunter]

Forward:  Please read the below knowing that I have fully read the FAQ's and understand that that handi's historically don't like remington ammo and that the trigger must be pulled back completely.
All the misfires had very light primer strikes, and no amount of reseating the round and trying to refire helped.  A firearm that is unable to ignite factory saami spec'd ammo is unsat.

HPBT....
I just went through a frustrating experience as you are now. My new Handi wouldn't fire also. I sent it back and they completely went through the firing mechanism [complete overhaul]. They tested it and sent it back. I took it out to shoot it today and nothing had changed....Complete misfires....I then called the rep at H&R and he relunctently told me to send it in again. I wasn't happy at all. After our conversation I decided to try a few things. The first and the last thing I tried was to remove the hammer extension, and that solved the problem. For some reason the added weight of the extension prevented it from firing...I've read here that this is a common occurence and a quick fix is in order...Now to find a fix for it....I know this has been addressed on this board....Now it's time to look.

[quickdtoo]

A new hammer spring is the fix for that issue, the extra strength Wolff would be my first choice. H&R doesn't test them with a hammer extension. I have a Wolff in many of mine, my 260 Rem has one, tested it with CCI250 primers, works great at .058" pin protrusion.

Tim

[PlainsHunter]

A new hammer spring is the fix for that issue, the extra strength Wolff would be my first choice. H&R doesn't test them with a hammer extension. I have a Wolff in many of mine, my 260 Rem has one, tested it with CCI250 primers, works great at .058" pin protrusion.

Tim

Would that be the single coil spring?
Thanks..Zen

[quickdtoo]

Yes, only the older Toppers use the double coil without modification.

Tim

[tpic402]

Wolff hammer spring cured mine big diff. in primer strikes espec. w/cci primers 

[HPBTmatch]

Plainshunter,
  Thanks for the response.  I do have the hammer extension on, so I'll pull that and try.  Guess it's time to also order a wolf spring

-Match
 

[Rayzor]

Where do you get these wolf springs at?

[PlainsHunter]

Where do you get these wolf springs at?

I ordered mine from Midway. Brownells and Wolff carry them also.
Zen

[quickdtoo]

See the link to another thread in reply #1.

Tim