Firing pin marking the primer?

[Three44s]

I recently bought a tender frame from a friend and I am new to tenders.

I did a search before posting and did not get any "bites".

I have been noticing ......... not all the time but from time to time that when I close the action on a live round ........ the primer comes up with an indent.

It does not seem to matter if the hammer is "on safe" or not.

I'll first notice that it's occuring by a harder to close action .......... upon opening, there is a groove cut into  fresh primer's face.

I felt the firing pin rebound springs and both pins are in the rear position like they should be.

Three 44s

[stoky]

Are these handloads?
If you put a (thin) straight edge across the bottom of the case and hold it up to the light, you should see a small gap behind the primer, i.e. the primer should be recessed a little below the base of the cartridge.

[Three44s]

Thanks stoky,

Yes, they are handloads.

I did check for seating depth of primers and I don't think that the primers are high.

Best regards

Three 44s

[OleFreak]

You may need to bump the shoulder back a bit more when sizing to maintain an honest .001” or .002”  headspace with your frame, barrel, and ammunition combination.

[shot1]

If it is actually the firing pin that is making the dint in the primer you probably have a bad or broken firing pin spring that is allowing the firing pin to stick out. I should not stick out.

[Three44s]

OleFreak,

Thank you for the warning.  If that is the case ...... I'll have to get a different sizer die .... on that run, I full lengthed them with a RCBS FL set for FL.

This next run is set for partial sizing and if it gets worse I'll be checking that for sure.

shot1,

I thought of that first but I checked the pins and they retract with some tension.

What I am wondering is if there is a broken coil or two, but leaving some tension on the pins yet the broken coil could be floating around and hanging one of the pins up?

The "dent" it is making is more of a serious gouge ......... so I am worried about it lighting the primer as I close the action.

Best regards

Three 44s

[Richard P]

A broken fp or its spring wont likely cause any unwanted firing due to closing. It isnt difficult to remove the breech face that holds the pins and springs.  If you can get a narrow screwdriver in past the hammer to reach the screw you wont have to remove the hammer.
  Pay attention as the flat faced fp is at 12oclock and is the rimfire pin. The round one is obviously for centerfire.
  If you must remove the hammer you will need to remove the grip. Then you can see the hammerspring. Its tail fits just over the frame. The loop end is in the hammer. Drive out the pin and remove the hammer and spring. The trick here is to make a slave pin so you can hold the hammerspring in the hammer on reassembly. It saves much time and temper. It just needs to be the width of the hammer.
  After determining your action relating to the fp/springs and replacement of the breechface, secure the hammer back in the frame catching the tail of the spring and push the hammer so you can start the hammer pin. Drive it through, expelling the slave----which you will retain.
   It really is easier after you have done it.
   If you replaced a fp, go ahead and replace its spring. My last one (rimfire) lasted eleven years. When they break, they break. Have spares.  Have a spare hammer spring and a spare striker spring.   

[stoky]

When you open the action and a primer is indented, you could remove the barrel (without closing it) and see if the firing pin is sticking out of the breach face. Also, the hammer should be back off the firing pin, unless you have pulled the trigger. After firing, when opening the action, the hammer should cam back to this relieved position and remain there.

[Three44s]

Thanks Richard P ......... I'll likely be needing those instructions!

stoky,

I did that and yes ...... the centerfire pin does not retract all the way into the receiver like it should.

The spring is weaker than the rimfire pin's spring is and that pin is receeding properly.  But it's the not the spring tension .... if you push on the face of the centerfire pin ....... it refuses to retract any farther.

Thanks to all ........... it's needs a "Tender Doc"!

Three 44s

[Richard P]

   I felt like you would need the ''play-by-play''.  Grab a few tools and teach yourself to be a '''Tender Doc''.  After a few minor surgeries you'll find they arent really complicated.  Call t/c and tell cust svc all you need is a fp and spring (and see if they will throw in a hammer spring). Dont ask for any other parts. 

[barber]

   I wonder about that too

[Richard P]

..........An amendment to last night's post.  ''Dont ask t/c for any more parts''........at this time.  If all you need are two or three small parts they will likely donate them to you.  Thank them profusely.

[Three44s]

Richard P,

Thanks again!

I'll thank you profusely first!!!

barber,

By you getting on line, I see you must have not floated by the past few days ..... Are things going alright up in the "hinterland"?

Three 44s