can light/improper firing pin strikes CAUSE hangfires/misfires/squibs? .22lr

[1KPerDay]

Are we all using "squib" in the same way? As I've understood and used the term, the term describes a round that fired, but a bullet that did NOT exit the barrel.

While squibs are certainly possible with any loaded cartridge, it's certainly not a widely experienced things with .22 rounds -- despite all of the junk ("bulk") .22 available.

Yes. I've had 2 squibs in this pistol with this ammo. Had to drive the bullet and a wad of powder out of the barrel.

 

[Slamfire]

Yes. I've had 2 squibs in this pistol with this ammo. Had to drive the bullet and a wad of powder out of the barrel.

I have had squibs in a centerfire pistol. It was a well used M586 S&W.



The previous owner had fired around 60,000 rounds through it, loads that were a 148 LSWC and 2.7 grains Bullseye with Federal primers. Federal primers are the most sensitive American made primer. My squibs/hangfires were in cold weather with AA#9, a ball powder, and WSP primers. Ball powders are well known for being hard to ignite. I had a bullet lodge in the throat, tying up the revolver. I had to knock the bullet back in the case with a screwdriver. When I used a bullet puller to knock the bullet out of the case, there was a powder wad that looked sort of cotton candy ish.

The problem was a weak mainspring, a ball powder, and cold weather. I put in a new mainspring, took the pistol out in slightly warmer weather, no squibs, hangfires, with the same ammunition.

Conclusion: strong mainsprings are important to reliable ignition.