Colt pps; light da primer strikes

[Centaur 1]

I just inheritted my grandfathers Colt Police Positive special that was made in 1967. The gun was never used and I think that its only seen one box of ammo through it. The gun works flawlessly when I shoot it single action, but about 1 in 3 won't fire due to light primer strikes when I shoot it double action. Since the hammer doesn't fall all the way from the cocked position when firing da, I'm quick to assume that the hammer spring might be too light and needs to be replaced. Has anyone else had a similar problem, and what else could cause this if it's not the spring? Thanks....Mike

 

[Jim K]

That could be the problem, ammunition could also be a factor. Is the ammo fresh or is it left over from the 1960's?

Jim

 

[Centaur 1]

The ammo is brand new, I made it myself. I'm using Winchester small pistol primers that I bought a couple of months ago. The indentation on the primer is not very deep.

 

[MMCSRET]

Last year I purchased, for a decent price, a Colt Officers Model 38 made in 1961. It would fail to fire often in DA mode and on occasion in SA. I read the Kuhnhausen book and while comparing with the lock work I found that the main spring had been re-arced in an effort to lighten pull, etc. I followed the instructions and restored the original arc to the spring and the problem was fixed. I have a new spring on hand just in case the original becomes fatigued and won't retain its position.
The lock work for my E frame is the same design as your D frame just dimensionally different, so the "fix" maybe easy, even if you have to replace the main spring, its not difficult and Jack First has new springs

 

[rcmodel]

I made it myself.

That right there might be your problem.

If you are not fully seating the primers you will get misfires.
Especially DA mis-fires.

The first FP strike finished seating the primer anvil in the priming compound, then when you hit it again it will go off.

You need to make sure the primer is seated fully to the bottom of the pocket to pre-load the anvil in the compound.

See this about that:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=6720146&postcount=4

rc

 

[Centaur 1]

Actually I'm positive that I have primer seating down pat. When I first got my Hornady hand primer I was seating them too deep, but they come out great now. I shoot the same ammo in my S&W 19 without any problems. I completely cleaned the gun and re-oiled it in case there was any hidden dirt slowing up the hammer. I'm on my way to the range now to see how it works. I'll check into the spring too, 43 years under tension might have weakened it.