Light Primer Strikes

[crazyjennyblack]

I've been working with a friend's H&R Topper 12 gauge single shot. The gun light strikes at least half of the time, and I'm at the end of my rope with it. I've tried Winchester cheap bulk ammo, I've tried buckshot, and I've tried Herter's #4 shot in it, and all perform the same. I've also tried testing Winchester and Remington primers placed in an empty case, and no joy.

I've replaced the hammer spring, cleaned the firing pin channel, and I've taken out all the innards and placed them back and lightly oiled them. The firing pin looks ok and sticks out an appropriate length. Why won't this gun work? :banghead::banghead::banghead:

 

[Steve C]

You don't say if this is a relatively new gun or if its one that has seen lots of use.

If a newer shotgun then contact the manufacturer for repair of the issue.

If the springs are strong and the firing pin hits hard then the only thing that can cause light strikes is too short a firing pin or too much head space space between the breach face and the chambered shell. Since shot shells head space on the rim, any excess looseness between the barrel and the action could increase this distance, or an improperly machined chamber could do the same.

If this is an older gun that's seen use it could be that the firing pin has shortened through repeated firings. It often only takes a very small amount of length to make the firing pin unreliable or inoperable. The pin can be made longer through heating and judicious use of a small hammer.

 

[multigauge]

Light primer strikes on a single shot can also be caused by freezing weather binding the firing pin. This year's temperatures have seen a rash of this.

 

[tactikel]

My guess is headspace issue. You may try a primed empty case inserted with the gun pointed up, insert a heavy or weighted cleaning rod to hold the case tight against the breech face. If it goes pop you know it is headspace.