EMF Hartford firing pin

[leathersmith]

The firing pin is causing the primer to bulge up and drag and scuff on the frame shields. Same fired shells put in a different gun will also drag, so I don't think it's a clearance issue.  The pin punches a fairly deep offset impression. This happens with several brands of factory ammo as well as reloads. I'm trying to decide whether to shorten, sharpen, or round off (dull) the firing pin. Less than 200 rounds thru gun but, 10 years old. Any suggestions?

[Delmonico]

Can you geta picture of the primer and what load are you using?

[Delmonico]

Leathesmith sent me this by E-Mail so I will post the picture for him.

"Anyway, attached a photo of the primer area showing the scuffing etc.  The loads are std cowboy loads 250 gr. bullets.  Winchester, Blackhills, 3 D Blue factory loads.  My reloads are 250 gr. laser cast bullets, 5.7 gr. Titegroup powder, and Winchester primers. They all result in the same problem.  As I mentioned, shells fired in the EMF are tight in other guns also, and fired shells from other revolvers aren't tight in the EMF. So I'm guessing it's the firing pin distorting the primers to the point of bulging and dragging.  In the picture you can see where the primers are scuffed from scraping."

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[RRio]

With the varibles given here, I would say to blount the firing pin nose somewhat. If it is doing it with factory loads as stated, then it would lead me to believe it is not load data, if the loads fired in the EMF are tight in other guns, it is not a headspace or clearance problem.
Other than crud in the primer pockets, the shape of the firing pin is the only thing I can think of. I have known of cases where the FP was too sharp.

Keep us informed. Curious.

[Be-A-triss Bandit]

Without measuring the pin Rio probably hit it on the mark.
The left case really shows that the pin is too thin and pointy.  It's coming just short of puncturing the primer.  May be bent a bit, too.  Too thin lets the primer cup form back around the pin and in severe cases into the pin hole.  Seems the Italian manufacturers are prone to this.  I've replaced two on pards' 73 clones.  You can try rounding/shortening a tad first.  And if that doesn't work, replace it with a decent one.
Good luck,
BB

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

The firing pin on a SAA or clone should protrude between .045-.056 when the hammer is completely down. Before touching the firing pin, you might want to measure how far it protrudes. Brownells sells a gauge for this. If you don't want to buy the gauge you can get a good idea of how far the pin protrudes by laying a drill next to it and eyeballing the situation. Headspace on a SAA should be between .049min/.060max for 45 Colt. It is possible to estimate headspace by pushing the cylinder all the way to the rear, however accurate headspace measurement requires that endshake be reduced as close to zero as possible. Case head clearance for 45 Colt in a SAA should be .006.

Those pins marks do appear a little bit off center to me. It should be obvious by eyeballing the firing pins if they are bent.

[Be-A-triss Bandit]

As Driftwood said, try measuring the pin protrusion.  The Open Top design makes it easy to pull the barrel and cylinder and use the depth tool or as he stated, drill rod.  Even drill bits.  That'll tell you if you're even in the ball park.  Then there is heaspace that can be measure assembled with stacked feeler gauges, or again, drill rod.
BB

[Be-A-triss Bandit]

Ooops!  Not an Open Top.  However, the method of drill rod or stacked feeler guages still applies, just not the back end of a dial caliper.
Sorry,
BB

[leathersmith]

Update on the EMF firing pin issue-  Problem was a bad recoil shield. Will update further when the smithy finishes up. Leathersmith.

[Be-A-triss Bandit]

Let us know.  Learning something new.

[leathersmith]

Promised update on the EMF recoil shield issue.  EMF informed me where to ship the gun for repair.  Had it back in a month with new recoil shield installed  (oversized Colt shield).  Now works great.  A tip of the Stetson to EMF for handling everything.