My hornet barrel doesn't go bang!

[eroyd]

Purchased a Contender with a super 14, 44 mag and a .223 barrel and a 10" hornet barrel. The first two work great! but the hornet doesn't fire. Cocks and hammer drops but no mark on the primer. I don't have a short forestock for it yet but wanted to try it anyways. Seems to lock up tight enough and by the lack of wear and square edges I'd say it's almost new. Any idea's? I'm using factory ammo.(two brands)

[Reed1911]

The most common mistake is accidentally moving the switch for RF to CF and VV. So two questions if that has already been checked, #1 when you place a loaded round in the barrel does it sit flush with the back of the barrel? #2 have you switched back and forth a few times or did you just drop in the hornet barrel and try it, not working, and have not tried the other barrels again?

[eroyd]

Yes, I replaced the 223 barrel and it worked fine. I suspect there may be a burr or something that is stopping the transfer bar(?) from dropping. I'll try blasting it out with some break cleaner.

[eroyd]

All cleaned up. Knocke out the two roll pins on the barrel lug and cleaned in those recesses and didn't see anything obvious with the extractor and locking piece.
It's very strange. The hammer will fall all the way forward on an empty chamber, but not on with a case in it. Also tried a new factory case (primed).

[dubber123]

My understanding is the action is designed that if it's not locked up right, it won't fire.  I suggest taking the locking lug(s) out of one of the barrels that work, and swap them into the Hornet barrel.  If it works after that, you'll know it wasn't closing fully, and you will have to stone the origional lugs, or replace them.  I remember having to swap lugs around years ago for my brother, but don't specifically remember why.  At any rate, this is an easy test.

[Sixgun]

I had the same problem with my Hornet barrel when I first got it.  I traced it to the Winchester brass that I got for it.  The rims on the brass were just a hair too thick.  The fireing pin dropped but didn't make more than just a slight mark on the primer.  I switched to Remington brass and the problem went away.  I later filed the rim of the Winchester brass and most of it worked after that operation. 

I contacted Winchester and they started off by claiming I didn't know what I was talking about and wanted me to send them some of my loaded rounds to them so they could tell me what I was doing wrong.  I declined and have been using Remington brass ever since, with no problems.

Sixgun

[dubber123]

I think Sixguns got it.  I thought about it more after my post, and your comment that it works on an empty chamber should have tipped me off.  Let us know, but I bet Sixguns got your solution.

[eroyd]

Well it just so happens it is WW brass I'm using. I'll try some Norma brass tonight. Wouldn't that be just too simple!

[eroyd]

Well, here's the scoop. Norma brass didn't fire either so I took a few file stokes to the WW brass, just enough to remove the stamping and that did the trick. So now do I order a bunch of Rem. brass or get the Gunsmith to give an extra turn when he reams the chamber to K-Hornet?

Thanks for the help folks!

[Sixgun]

I can't wait to show this thread to my wife.  She won't believe that I was right once.

Really she is a pretty good ol girl.

As far as the brass goes, if you can get remington brass easy, I wouldn't mess with the rim thickness of the chamber.  You may shoot it like it is for awhile and see if the problem really is fixed.  Maybe you could ask the gunsmith that is doing your rechanmber what he thinks.

Sixgun