Off-Center primer strikes

[jridg]

I have noticed that my SA Champ strikes the primers off-center. Is this a problem? I had 3 of 1000 CCI Blazers Fail to fire with decent strikes. I sent them to Blazer (they are investigating and sending me 100 rounds for my trouble). When I showed the fail to fires to the gun shop guys they did not blink at the slightly off-center strikes. Opinions?

Jim

[1911Tuner]

Depends on hwo far off-center they are. Half the diameter of the firing pin tip jumps out as badly off-center, but usually doesn't cause misfires as long as the firing pin hits hard enough. Off-centered AND light will hand you a misfire sooner or later.

It also depends on primer cup material. CCI primers are known for their tough
cups. Federal is known for soft cups. An old bit of wisdom amongst reloaders is that if it'll bust a CCI primer, it'll bust anything. If it won't bust a Federal primer, there's a problem. Olin/Winchester just about splits the difference between the two.

To figure out which direction that the strike is off...Load a round in the mag and make an index line with a sharpie marker on top of the case. Shoot it and see.

[jridg]

Thanks Tuner - I was actually considering PMing you on this one - but figured it might be a good question for more folks. I was told the same thing by my LGS about CCI primers. The CCI expert is going to have them examined and torn apart to see if there was a manufacturing problem. When I get back home (In Pensacola this week for Navy training) I will give it a shot - no pun - well......


Jim

[jridg]

What can you do if they are 'badly' off center?

[1911Tuner]

How far off-center, Jim...and high or low?

Low means that the barrel is too high in the slide..which means that the slide's installed (vertical) height is likely out of spec AND either the lower lug is
camming it up that high or the barrel is locking on a long link. Refitting the barrel alone will drop it a little, but you lose depth of lug engagement.

Sometimes, lowering the slide via swaging the frame rials down, along with a
hard-fit barrel is the only real cure...and if the stacks go too wrong, it may even rewuire getting a barrel with a larger bore axis to slot dimension in order to allow fitting on all critical dimensions. It can get a bit involved.

High means that the barrel isn't getting high enough into the slide. Lower lug isn't camming it high enough or the slide lugs are hitting the slots between barrel lugs and limiting it. Removing material from the barrel slots won't help unless the lower lug is welded up and re-cut.

Bottom line...As long as there isn't a problem with misfires...and the vertical lug engagement depth is at least 85%(.042-.043 inch)...don't worry about it.

[jridg]

Thanks Tuner - I will try and remember to mark some rounds and see how far off it is - it would appear to be less than 1 firing pin diameter - noticeable - but not wayyyyy off. Of course I don't really know how far is wayyyyy off - I will caliper it when I get the brass marked.

Jim