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Firing Pin Hanging Up

3K views 4 replies 2 participants last post by  dfariswheel 
#1 ·
Last night I took my BHP (1987 birth) to the range and had several rounds not fire. After multiple strikes, they would finally discharge. Back at home, I took a punch and pushed on the firing pin while I held the hammer and actuated the trigger. The firing pin was catching on something within the channel and wouldn't move beyond the retaining plate. I then disassembled the slide, removed the firing pin and spring, reassembled, the did the same test. Nothing appeared to be in the channel that would catch the pin. Yes, the pistol has the firing pin safety block, but it swings completely out of the path of the firing pin. Any ideas as to what's going on? The back plate does appear to be alittle loose, could that shift and cause this problem?
 
#2 · (Edited)
BHP? Browning Hi-Power??

For odd problems, use the trouble shooting method.

Remove EVERYTHING from the slide, including the firing pin, spring, FP retainer, FP safety, etc.

Use an appropriate size nylon or bronze bore brush to scrub the firing pin channel.
Inspect under good light to look or debris or burrs.
Closely inspect the firing pin hole in the breech face for any particles of brass or primer jammed in the hole.

Install only the firing pin and check for free movement.
Then add the firing pin spring and check.
Continue adding one part at a time until something causes the problem.

That part will usually be the culprit.

As you install a part, use magnification to inspect for any burrs or damage.
 
#3 ·
Yes, Browning Hi Power. I removed all but the FP safety, spring, and retainer, so back to the workbench I guess..... The safety did not appear to be the issue because it completely cleared the channel when I did my experiment, so I left it alone. But I won't know for sure unless I pop it out. The retainer is a split pin, BTW, so I'll need to find one of those before I tear back into the slide. Thanks for the advise.
 
#4 ·
Here's a follow up to my previous post. I finally disassembled the firing pin safety and there didn't appear to be any issues. Fortunately, I own two BHPs, the second being a "C" series. So after I reassembled the slide, I swapped out the slides and headed back to the range, with the MKII slide on the "C" frame. Three magazines later, no issues whatsoever. So what is different about the MKII? I had installed an C&S Type II Chamfered Commander Hammer a few years ago, but hadn't experienced any misfires up until now. So I pulled out the C&S hammer and got out the original spur hammer to compare. The spur hammer is .10 oz. heavier than the C&S. That doesn't seem like much, but I put the spur hammer back in the MKII frame and once more, headed out to the range. Three magazines later, no issues. Who would have thought that .10 oz. would make that kind of difference? I might purchase a new hammer spring and strut and switch back to the C&S hammer, thinking that the spring might be losing some strength. Any thoughts?
 
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