Dark smudge in firing pin indents

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OrangePwrx9

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I've got a Ruger BH convertible in 9mm/357mag. that I bought new. When I shoot 9mm in the 9mm cylinder. I consistently get a dark smudge in the primer indents of at least two of the cases fired from each cylinder full. I'm guessing this is a sign of gas leakage from a cracked primer cup.

I haven't fully determined this, but it appears to be coming from the same chambers each time. I see this with both factory ammo and reloads. Only exception is reloads that are quite light.

I've never seen this when firing 38 Spcl or .357 mag. ammo in the 357 cylinder.

Is this problem anything to worry about? This gun is a good shooter and I'd rather not return it to Ruger if I don't need to. Last BH I returned for cylinder work, went from being a tackdriver to a dog and needed a second trip back.
Thanks,
Bob
 
Do they look like the one on the right?

piercedprimer.jpg


When this happened to me, it turned out my "new to me" S&W M627PC had a "shattered" firing pin face, which needed to be replaced by S&W. I don't know what the previous owner(s) did to cause the firing pin damage, but S&W was good about replacing it. Works great now.
 
Yes, it looks like that, Ridgeway, only not quite as bad. The smudge isn't as dark and you can still see some shiny metal in places.

I doubt it's the firing pin because I don't see the problem when firing .38 Spcl or .357 in the other cylinder.
Bob
 
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