Hi Power problem

[geegee]

I posted this on another forum, but wanted to elicit some other opinions from you folks here as well. Here's my problem:

I bought a used T Series BHP a couple of weeks ago, and returned today from the range after shooting it for the first time. From 15 yards away, I fired 100 rounds of 115 gr. hardball, fifty each of Blazer and Winchester.

Right near round 95 or so, the slide would cycle another round (and cocked the hammer), but when I pulled the trigger, the hammer would drop, but the gun wouldn't fire. I thumbed cocked the remaining shots and was able to fire all of them. It was as though the hammer wasn't being cocked all the way back by the slide. Again, this only happened on the very few last rounds.

Any thoughts on what might be causing this problem?

 

[Sunray]

Which ammo gave you the grief? Clean the pistol and try the same ammo again.

 

[UKarmourer]

Is the hammer dropping all the way?
I dont know if the civilian models have the same safeties as the military versions but ours have a 'halfcock' position where the hammer drops but then locks in place just short of the firing pin.

sunray's post ref cleaning is a good start, maybe some fouling around the firing pin. cant remember the figures exactly but the firing pin needs sufficient impetus to strike the base of the round, excessive fouling around the pin could hinder that?

hth

 

[Geno]

I can't imagine how the hammer would not move sufficient to reset for firing. Of course, that assumes that the slide fully-cycled.

1) Perhaps the hammer/sear engaging portions are worn, or terribly fouled and so it permits the hammer to return to the half-cocked position.
2) Perhaps the slide in fact did not fully cycle.
2a) If that is the case, perhaps fouling may be decreasing the free-moving function.
2b) or too heavy of a recoil or hammer spring(s) or both springs for the ammo to fully cycle the slide.
3) Perhaps too light of ammo. The last is doubtful, because the first 94 or 95 functioned.

I only pray that no one claims limp-wristing.

Doc2005

 

[geegee]

Thanks for your responses. First, the ammo. I doubt that it was ammo related, as I had many spare magazines and was just using them without keeping to just one brand. This is a used HP, but my first trip to the range with it, so more of a break-in for me. It's just that 90+ rounds fired successfully without a glitch, and then a problem with the last few really confounded me.

All of you are recommending a good cleaning, and I think that's in order. I've never detailed stripped a Hi Power before, but I have two of Stephen Camp's books on Hi Powers, so I guess it will have to be done.

Since it is an older pistol (probably 40 years old, or so), there's no telling when the springs were last changed. If I'm going to detail strip it, I may as well call Brownell's ahead of time and order a whole new set of springs. It's a beautiful pistol and I got it at a good price, so paying up a little more to get it running right is certainly acceptable to me.

Thanks again, and if any of you folks have any more thoughts, feel free to chime in.

 

[Geno]

Check you receiver/slide fit. Remove all springs, possibly even barrel. Reassemble and tip to 45 degrees. The slide should move forward/backward freely on it own as you tilt in forward/backward. If it does not, it may be too tight. Too tight can be two issues...improper machining or bent something after being purchased. Test w & a/o barrel.

That's cheap and quick to check. Send a PM to "1911tuner" and ask him if you don't understand what I mean. I seriously doubt that this is it.

Doc2005

 

[Jim K]

Since the BHP is a single action only pistol, there should be no difference whether the hammer is cocked by the slide or by the thumb. If the hammer is being cocked all the way (not just to half-cock), and is falling all the way (not falling to half cock), it is a bit hard to figure what is happening. One possibility is that the slide is not going fully into battery; then when the hammer falls, it drives the slide into battery but does not have enough energy left to fire the gun. Then you thumb cock it and it fires.

To check that out, you may need to stop every time the gun fires and examine it to see if the slide is in battery; don't wait until it doesn't fire. If that is the case, it may only need cleaning. I would NOT start tearing the gun down and replacing springs for the fun of it; if you are not familiar with the gun you could do more harm than good.

Jim

 

[geegee]

It looks like this problem has been resolved, or at least as far as my recent range session indicates. Thanks to Stephen Camp's Hi Power Disassembly Guide, I was able to completely strip the pistol for cleaning, lubrication, and reassembly. While the exercise provided some frustration (the likes of which I haven't experienced in some time), it also provided me with valuable experience I'll need to resolve any more problems like this one, by myself.

The first thing I noticed once it was disassembled, is that it really wasn't all that dirty to begin with. The previous owner must have taken very good care of it, and after checking it's serial number I found out that it's probably forty years old, yet has zero holster wear. I don't know that I should pronounce it a safe queen, but it does appear to have not been abused at all.

I spent particular attention to cleaning the firing pin and firing pin channel. Everything was hosed down with Gun Scrubber, then lubed lightly with Break Free. I cleaned the channel with a Q-tip, before the firing pin was replaced.

Before I reassembled it, I remembered I had a few spare parts that I bought years ago, and went to check to see what I had. I was pleasantly surprised to find a new, in the bag, Cylinder & Slide thumb safety, which was installed. It has a nice smooth action to it, yet also has a solid "click," once the detent catches. What a great addition to this excellent pistol!

My range session proceeded with only one hitch, and it wasn't insignificant. Apparently, I didn't install the pin holding the sear lever in the slide far enough, and nearly shot out after thirty or so rounds. I did a quick on the spot repair this time, and went on from there without a hitch.

This handgun is a tack driver! The sights are the standard ones that need to be replaced, but on a nice sunny day, even my middle aged eyes had no problem grouping a fist sized hole in the target from fifteen yards away.

Thanks to all for your recommendations, and especially to Stephen for that most excellent guide, which once again has more than paid for itself. It's an invaluable resource for any Hi Power owner.