Causes/Troubleshooting Failture to Fire (FTF)

[ponderosa]

Hi All.

I've got a 22lr Llama Model XV pistol.

It appears to have been made in 1984 and looks to be in really clean shape.

It has a few issues and I'm trying to troubleshoot them. The main issue is a FTF issue. I've tried different ammo and it still happens. Trying to figure out what could be the cause.

I took the firing pin out and it looks clean. Looked at the tip w/ a 10x and it looks good. It appears to protrude well out of the firing pin channel.

I cleaned and lubed (minus the chamber/barrel as it looked clean) and still get FTF.

I can manually cock the hammer and after a second or third attempt it will fire. I failed to check out the strikes on the primers this trip (will next).

What could the causes be?

1) too strong a firing pin spring
2) too weak a main spring
3) bad ammo (originally was using remington golden, but I tried some, albeit older, CCI stingers this trip)
4) weak recoil spring?

Any ideas to help me out?

Thanks!

[Izzy43]

Don't know about availability but springs are cheap so I would start with replacing the firing pin spring. Also take a look at the hammer and see if you can determine that it is striking the firing pin correctly. Check the strikes on the cartridge to see if its deep enough or just light. Maybe a lot of rounds have been throught the gun and just needs refurbishment of the springs. Also check to see if the firing pin moves freely in it guide. Try some new HV ammo.

I had a similar problem with a Marlin Model 60 and figured out it just wouldn't shoot Win333 bulk ammo. Good luck.

[ponderosa]

So if the firing pin spring was worn out, it would be weaker (right?), and how would that create an FTF issue? I would think a too strong spring might be an issue, not a worn out one? But I don't really know, hence this post.... ???

The main spring/hammer drop seems pretty strong to me. I need to check the strikes on the cartridges, mad I didn't save a few, I just kept cocking the hammer till they went off. Next time I will take some pics and post those...

Thanks.

[kmca]

The firing pin spring holds the firing pin in the fully retracted position, giving the hammer a "full swing" at the firing pin. OTOH, it could be the ammunition.

[Izzy43]

So if the firing pin spring was worn out, it would be weaker (right?), and how would that create an FTF issue? I would think a too strong spring might be an issue, not a worn out one? But I don't really know, hence this post.... ???

The main spring/hammer drop seems pretty strong to me. I need to check the strikes on the cartridges, mad I didn't save a few, I just kept cocking the hammer till they went off. Next time I will take some pics and post those...

Thanks.

I took your original post to mean you had a failure to fire issue. If it is a failure to feed issue then disregard my post. Sorry for the misunderstanding.