Schofield Miss fires

[The Swede]

Hi everyone, I have a miss fire problem with my Schofield. It only miss fires one round out of 5 for each cylinder load fired. It just cropped up at a shoot I was at. The primers on the fired cases are well struck with not even a small dent on the miss fires. 
I haven't checked headspace yet, and will do that today. Anyone have any ideas? 


Swede

[Silver_Rings]

Howdy Swede,

Check to make sure the cylinder is rotating all the way around.  I've had high primers keep the cylinder from rotating when cocking the pistol.  I also have one schofield that does not advance one chamber, probably the hand is not engaging the star.

Silver Rings 

[rdstrain49]

First thing to check is weight of hammer fall.  You need at least 3 lbs. of hammer fall for reliable ignition.  You can use a trigger pull weight set to measure this.
BTW, the indentation in the primer you are referring to is meaningless.  The "well struck" cases are simply reflecting the result of the cartridge firing and subsequent recoil against the firing pin and has nothing to do with how hard the primer was struck. 
I have to wonder how much the mainspring tension has been reduced.  If this problem just showed up, it is more likely a spring issue than a headspace issue.

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[The Swede]

Howdy Swede,

Check to make sure the cylinder is rotating all the way around.  I've had high primers keep the cylinder from rotating when cocking the pistol.  I also have one schofield that does not advance one chamber, probably the hand is not engaging the star.

Silver Rings 

In this case high primers were not the culprit. But they were in the past.

Swede

[The Swede]

First thing to check is weight of hammer fall.  You need at least 3 lbs. of hammer fall for reliable ignition.  You can use a trigger pull weight set to measure this.
BTW, the indentation in the primer you are referring to is meaningless.  The "well struck" cases are simply reflecting the result of the cartridge firing and subsequent recoil against the firing pin and has nothing to do with how hard the primer was struck. 
I have to wonder how much the mainspring tension has been reduced.  If this problem just showed up, it is more likely a spring issue than a headspace issue.

I checked the headspace anyway, and it is very well within tolerances. The firing pin protrusion may be partly to blame. I checked in David Chicoine's book "Gunsmithing Guns of the Old West", and he says that Uberti firing pins should protrude 0.050" to 0.055". Mine protrudes 0.042". I have tightened the main spring tension screw, and I hope that helps a bit. I figure I'll use the softer Federal primers as well on my .45 Colt loads.
Still... why only one round out of five? If it is the spring as you have said could it work with some rounds, and not with others? Is that your experience?

Thanks for the input BTW. It helps to get others involved when you have a problem.

[Pettifogger]

The Ubertis have a Mickey Mouse hammer block as part of a safety to be able to import it into the U.S.  Fairly unreliable.  You best bet is to remove the side plate and remove it.  The gun will then function just like an original.

[rdstrain49]

Headspace same on all 6?
How much space between base of case and recoil plate?
Re. "Why only one"  simple, Gremlins.  They are everywhere in weapons systems.

[The Swede]

The Ubertis have a Mickey Mouse hammer block as part of a safety to be able to import it into the U.S.  Fairly unreliable.  You best bet is to remove the side plate and remove it.  The gun will then function just like an original.

Already done, but thank you for mentioning it. 

Swede

[The Swede]

Headspace same on all 6?
How much space between base of case and recoil plate?
Re. "Why only one"  simple, Gremlins.  They are everywhere in weapons systems.

Good point. I only checked one chamber... 

Swede

[Pitspitr]

I ran into that problem with mine last fall. I thought it was an ammunition problem and ignored it. Eventually it got to where none of the cylinders would fire. Try tightening up the set screw on the front of the grip frame that adjusts the mainspring tension.

[The Swede]

I ran into that problem with mine last fall. I thought it was an ammunition problem and ignored it. Eventually it got to where none of the cylinders would fire. Try tightening up the set screw on the front of the grip frame that adjusts the mainspring tension.

I had that thought myself, and did just that. I will have to wait till I have time to head out to the range to try it. I will also be using Federal primers (softer), as that has worked for me before. I have some shooting' buddies who would have given up by now, but I love the challenge. This revolver is one of my main match guns( the other is a '75 Remington), and it worked flawlessly for the SASS Canadian Nationals ( where I placed in the top 3 in my category).

Swede

[Virginia Gentleman]

Let us know if that was the problem as we might gain some insight into diagnosing future problems with Schofields.

[The Swede]

Let us know if that was the problem as we might gain some insight into diagnosing future problems with Schofields.

I will definitely do that. I plan on getting to the range in the next week, or so.

Swede

[The Swede]

Well... I figured it out. It turns out the cylinder was under rotating from time to time. Not enough force on the hammer when cocking the gun. It misfired today, and I saw that it was not lined up. The timing seems to be okay. I figure not enough force. The cylinder loads I shot after that discovery were all good. Arthritis may be part of my issue (aging is not fun  ). So, hammer spring too stiff?

I have a shoot tomorrow, and decided to shoot my cap & ball revolvers for that instead.

Swede

[matt45]

If I am understanding you correctly, it is always the same bore in the cylinder that misfires?

[The Swede]

No, it was under rotating. If I work the hammer with reasonable effort all is good. I am not sure if it is my arthritis, or a timing issue?

If I shoot with both hands ( I shoot duelist ), and cock with my left hand ( right handed ) there is no problem at all. Now in retrospect it could be the same chamber each time, but I did not take the time to check. We were at the range getting my wife ready for her first match.

Swede

[Silver_Rings]

Swede,

I have a  pistol that on one chamber does not rotate all the time.  On my pistol it is easy to see, just dry fire the pistol and watch to see if the cylinder turns each time the hammer is cocked.

Silver Rings

[The Swede]

Swede,

I have a  pistol that on one chamber does not rotate all the time.  On my pistol it is easy to see, just dry fire the pistol and watch to see if the cylinder turns each time the hammer is cocked.

Silver Rings

I'll try that. Let you know how I make out.

Swede