I’m having a problem with a revolver that I think is real curious and I assume others will also. Shooting identical Pietta 45 Colt revolvers with transfer bars at our last two club matches. One has developed an intermittent issue where the firing pin is striking the side of the primer and of course failing to ignite the primer. Since having the transfer bars repaired/replace when new (many years ago) these guns have run flawlessly - one still does.
Here’s the story as I remember it:
April Monthly Match
Stage 1 - Five rounds discharged properly, every primer strike in the “center.”
Stage 2 - First four rounds discharged properly, fifth round failed to discharge, declared gun unsafe and handled accordingly, Upon unloading four rounds showed primer strikes in the center and fifth had a primer strike on the edge.
Stage 3 - First three rounds discharged properly, fourth round no ignition and fifth round properly discharged. This time I decided to go around and still no ignition. Declared gun unsafe handled accordingly. Upon unloading four rounds showed primer strike in the center and fifth had a primer strike on two edges 180 degrees apart.
Stage 4 - Five rounds discharged properly, every primer strike in the center.
Stage 5 - First four rounds discharged properly, fifth round failed to discharge, declared gun unsafe and handled accordingly. Upon unloading four rounds showed primer strikes in the center and fifth had a primer strike on the edge.
May Monthly Match
Stage 1 - Five rounds discharged properly, every primer strike in the center.
Stage 2 - Five rounds discharged properly, every primer strike in the center.
Stage 3 - First four rounds discharged properly, fifth round failed to discharge, declared gun unsafe and handled accordingly. Upon unloading four rounds showed primer strikes in the center and fifth had a primer strike on the edge.
Stage 4 - Five rounds discharged properly, every primer strike in the center.
Stage 5 - First four rounds discharged properly, fifth round failed to discharge, declared gun unsafe and handled accordingly. Upon unloading four rounds showed primer strikes in the center and fifth had a proper strike - this time on the edge of the case.
Since the last primer strike was on the case I don’t think I will be shooting this revolver (concerned about breaking the firing pin) until I at least have some idea of what is causing this intermittent off-center primer strike.
Photos shows rounds on left April - Stage 2, Stage 3 and Stage 5 -- On right May - Stage 3 and Stage 5