Revolver problem: occasional FTF in double action fire

[Renaissance Redneck]

I inherited a Charter Arms .38 SPL ultralight 5-shot revolver from my father, and I'm considering making it one of my concealed handguns. It seems to fire flawlessly in single action fire. When I do some rapid double action drills, an occasional round will fail to fire. The primer has been struck by the firing pin, but it's possible (not really sure) that the indentation is somewhat less than I would expect. That failed round invariably fires when I cycle back to it again.

Any ideas? Potential problem with the pistol? Or the ammo?

Your thoughts appreciated.

[littlejake]

Likely needs a new hammer spring. In DA, the hammer is released with less stroke that in SA.

You are not using reloads are you? Some reloads occasionally have a primer that's not fully seated.

[Renaissance Redneck]

Likely needs a new hammer spring. In DA, the hammer is released with less stroke that in SA.

You are not using reloads are you? Some reloads occasionally have a primer that's not fully seated.

Thanks, I'll check that out. And, I was using factory cartridges (though I do reload) when the misfires were occurring.

[dfletcher]

If your primer strikes are well centered that probably rules out bad timing. Mainspring could be a bit weak or was clipped, or the gun might have some dirt under the extractor - softens the blow a bit. So long as it's not timing it's an easy fix.

[CK_32]

I'm pretty new to revolvers but I agree with above.

You have a trigger job done on this gun at all? Sounds like it might be a warn spring or firing pin issue.

[Renaissance Redneck]

Thanks all.

dfletcher - the primer strikes are dead center. I'll clean under the extractor just to make sure it seats completely.

CK_32 - No trigger job.

I'll check the springs, firing pin, transfer bar, cylinder play (forward and back movement), etc. and see what I can come up with. Thanks again!

[gorenut]

If your revolver has a strain screw, make sure its tightened in all the way. Possibly even Loctite it. All too often people loosen the strain screw as a "trigger job" to lighten the DA.

[Fishslayer]

I inherited a Charter Arms .38 SPL ultralight 5-shot revolver from my father, and I'm considering making it one of my concealed handguns. It seems to fire flawlessly in single action fire. When I do some rapid double action drills, an occasional round will fail to fire. The primer has been struck by the firing pin, but it's possible (not really sure) that the indentation is somewhat less than I would expect. That failed round invariably fires when I cycle back to it again.

Any ideas? Potential problem with the pistol? Or the ammo?

Your thoughts appreciated.

What kind of ammo? If it's reloads a primer not fully seated is the usual suspect. The first strike seats the primer & the second makes it go bang.

Is this a recent developement?

I'm not familiar with Charter Arms revolvers. Do they use a strain screw on the front of the grip frame ala S&W? If so that will cause light strikes if it backs out.

[littlejake]

Thanks all.

dfletcher - the primer strikes are dead center. I'll clean under the extractor just to make sure it seats completely.

CK_32 - No trigger job.

I'll check the springs, firing pin, transfer bar, cylinder play (forward and back movement), etc. and see what I can come up with. Thanks again!

BTW, that's called the ejector.

I think the 5 shot Charter Arms uses a coil spring like a J-Frame S&W. So, I don't think there's a strain screw. (Strain screw is located on the lower front of the butt strap and tensions a VEE shaped leaf mainspring. They are always to be full seated; and if in need of adjustment a new one is used and ground to length.)

OP -- you can take the grips off and see which type main/hammer spring you have.

I had an M67 S&W that had a very smooth DA trigger from the factory. But, after 21 years, its spring lost enough tension to create the same condition you report. Mine was fixed with a new strain screw fitted by a gunsmith.

Edit: In looking that up, it's an alloy frame and not rated for +P. If someone fed it a steady diet of hot ammo, the frame may have stretched; increasing the headspace; and making the gun dangerous.

[ZigZags]

Fishslayer, is that a cattle dog? Your dog looks a lot like mine.

[Fishslayer]

BTW, that's called the ejector.

Depends. Colt calls it an ejector & S&W calls it an extractor.

Fishslayer, is that a cattle dog? Your dog looks a lot like mine.

Yes he is. That's my little Dingo. 36 pounds of hell on wheels!

[scarville]

I saw a S&W once that had a light strike problem because of crud build up in the channel where the firing pin floats. The owner had put oil in there and, after a few thousand rounds, crud had built up and was cushioning the firing pin enough to cause light strikes. It is pretty rare but something else to look at if you have to tear it down anyways.