Backing out primmers

Drobi609

New Member
Supporting Member
Multi-Factor Enabled
Joined
Nov 16, 2020
Messages
19
Location
Dunn
Rating - 100%
14   0   0
I have a tiger revolver in 38spec that when fired the primmer backs out and prevents the cylinder from rotating. Replaced the the hammer nose and spring no change. What’s causing this?
 
I have a tiger revolver in 38spec that when fired the primmer backs out and prevents the cylinder from rotating. Replaced the the hammer nose and spring no change. What’s causing this?

What ammo?
 
Couple suggestions/thoughts.

Since its factory ammo, its highly unlikely to be an overpressure situation, likely stock or very likely low pressure. Low pressure usually results in high fired primers since the case doesn't back up enough to reseat them.

Since its an old and inexpensive gun, its also possible it has excessive head space. Being cheep, it may have excessive headspace regardless of how good the mechanical condition is. Excessive headspace will also result in high fired primers.

(Note, the 3030 case in a Win 94 is a notable exception to both rules, these quite often show high fired primers regardless of pressure or headspace. Ackly showed that the heavily tapered 3030 does not slide back against the bolt reseating the primers like most rounds do. His proof was in testing firing many 3030 loads without the locking bolts in place, he indicated the weapon worked fine without its locking bolt assemblage, e.g. essentially not being forced open by a backsliding case.)

I'd recommend checking headspace, industry standard, without case in place, would be around .060 to .0690 inches at the very most. If excessive, and since its a cheep revolver, swap it out for a better quality/newer firearm. Chasing reliability on these old/cheep ones is an exercise in frustration.

If headspace checks out okay, closely examine for other problems, but expect no easy fix given age and pedigree.
 
Last edited:
Couple suggestions/thoughts.

Since its factory ammo, its highly unlikely to be an overpressure situation, likely stock or very likely low pressure. Low pressure usually results in high fired primers since the case doesn't back up enough to reseat them.

Since its an old and inexpensive gun, its also possible it has excessive head space. Being cheep, it may have excessive headspace regardless of how good the mechanical condition is. Excessive headspace will also result in high fired primers.

(Note, the 3030 case in a Win 94 is a notable exception to both rules, these quite often show high fired primers regardless of pressure or headspace. Ackly showed that the heavily tapered 3030 does not slide back against the bolt reseating the primers like most rounds do. His proof was in testing firing many 3030 loads without the locking bolts in place, he indicated the weapon worked fine without its locking bolt assemblage, e.g. essentially not being forced open by a backsliding case.)

I'd recommend checking headspace, industry standard, without case in place, would be around .060 to .0690 inches at the very most. If excessive, and since its a cheep revolver, swap it out for a better quality/newer firearm. Chasing reliability on these old/cheep ones is an exercise in frustration.

If headspace checks out okay, closely examine for other problems, but expect no easy fix given age and pedigree.
Sharps40, that’s good information and well written. I’ll check the headspace I’m guessing a cylinder replacement or yoke bushings will remedy this issue. This revolver belonged to my buddy’s deceased father. Ruger is my revolver of choice X frame in Smiths.
 
Shim between cylinder and stem often helps headspace. Do not be panicked by increased cyl gap. Under .012 still works well. It may flash a bit more but wee tiny cylinder gaps are for bragging and increasing risk of heat and dirt related drag out front
 
Last edited:
@Sharps40 is on the right track I think. If you fire a primed case in any revolver it will jam the same way - recoil slams the case head back against the frame but no recoil allows the primer to jump out.
I suspect loose cylinder to case fit, excess cylinder gap, overall sloppy tolerances may be preventing pressure and recoil from building up enough.
Even with enough pressure excess headspace/ end shake could keep the case from hitting against the frame enough to prevent primer jump.
 
Back
Top Bottom