H&R 949 .22 LR - Won't Fire!

[walker944]

I acquired an H&R 949 in .22 LR today, and after getting it home I tried to test fire it. It would not fire. The action cycles correctly, but it seems the hammer is not dropping with sufficient force to activate the primer. In fact, upon examining the rounds in the cylinder, none have much of a dent at all in them. It's a single/double action, born in 1968.

I'd appreciate any kind of troubleshooting advice to help me narrow down what the problem might be. I'm thinking some sort of spring...but who knows. I can source most of the needed parts from Numrich, but need assistance identifying which part(s) to order. Your collective assistance is appreciated!

 

[Jim K]

I'll bet on the hammer spring guide being broken. Remove the grips and you will probalbly find that the plastic head on the hammer spring guide is broken or cracked off and missing. You can probably get one from GPC (Numrich) at www.gunpartscorp.com . If they still have any with the metal head, get one of those instead of the plastic.

Jim

 

[rcmodel]

What he said.

Common problem with that gun.
The old plastic mainspring guide breaks, and you get weak hammer strikes.

rc

 

[FROGO207]

I had one that had that problem some years ago. Works great now. +1 on get the metal one.

 

[walker944]

Thanks Jim K - I pulled the grips and removed the hammer spring assembly. It was in PERFECT condition. In fact, the plastic guide tip looked new! I had the dickens of a time muscling the spring back into place, but once I did, I pulled the hammer back and released the trigger....a world of difference in the amount of hammer tension. I put a couple of rounds in it and they fired just fine!!! I'm wondering if someone previously replaced the spring guide and didn't get it back in there correctly. In any event, she is working fine now. Kind of strange, but I'll accept strange over having to buy parts and get them in. I was starting to think my $125 purchase today was going to be a bit problematic. Thanks again to all who commented. Problem resolved...for now. I'll run some more rounds through it during daylight tomorrow, to confirm all is good. Thanks guys!!

 

[rcmodel]

See the little hole in the hammer strut?

If you cock the gun and put a pin punch or small nail it the hole it will keep the spring compressed and make reassembly go smother.

rc

 

[walker944]

When I cocked the hammer, during reassembly, it seemed to push the spring and guide out farther; making the spring compression task even harder. After attempting to put the sping assembly all back on (with the hammer down), I grew a set of gorilla muscles and PUT THAT THING TOGETHER!! lol I was a little concerned with snapping the guide, but all worked out just fine. If I ever have to do this again, I'll keep in mind that little hole trick. Thanks for the advice, RC!

 

[walker944]

RC - I think I just understood what you're saying. I believe you're talking about putting something through the whole when first disassembling, correct? That would make sense.