FTF

[noemarmolejo]

I'm new to the forum and to pistol shooting. I was at the range yesterday and had multiple FTF's using a box of 115gr "white box" 9mm Winchester in my Ruger sr9c. My XD had only 2 FTF's. Is it the ammo or do I have a problem?

 

[jhearne]

Mix of both. The earliest SR9c's had a different striker spring length than they do now, and that old length could contribute to light strikes. However, the ammo that was always present in the SR9c light strike issue threads was the Winchester White Box 115gr FMJ, or simply WWB. Coincidence? Culprit?

You have two options, A), call Ruger and see about getting a new striker assembly because you're getting light strikes. They should just ship you one no charge, but they might ask that you send it in (ask about a prepaid label if they don't mention that). Or B) just stay away from WWB ammo and find another suitable range ammo. I prefer CCI Blazer myself (aluminum) and others like Federal stuff. If all you can get is WWB, try the updated striker assembly.

You could just do both. My 1st Gen SR9 has a lighter striker spring and doesn't fail with WWB. I'm among the small crowd that believes the problem was the ammo. Others disagree and say Ruger is to blame. It should feed and fire everything though like all other Rugers.

Josh

 

[noemarmolejo]

Thanks Josh. I'll give Ruger a call. I bought a box of Amerivcan Eagle this morning. I'll test it out too.

 

[Iron Mike Golf]

I assume FTF means Failure To Fire.

OK, so two different guns, same box of ammo and both guns fail to fire? What do the primers look like from both guns?

You give us any history on your SR9c. Have you taken the striker out and cleaned the tunnel?

 

[noemarmolejo]

Hey Iron Mike. Yes FTF=Failure to Fire. I'm new to the pistol stuff. I didn't check the primers. The Ruger was doing the failing for the most part. My XD FTF'ed twice. Up until now I've had no problems with either. I haven't taken the striker out to clean the tunnel yet.

Thanks,

Noe

 

[Iron Mike Golf]

Noe,

Do that (clean the striker tunnel). If you've shot less than 500 rounds or so, clean it every couple boxes until you don't see any brass shavings in there. A new extractor may pull brass off the cartridge for a while. That can get in the way of the striker once in a while, giving you a light strike.

Not saying this is definitely your cause, but it's common enough.





edited for spelling

 

[freedomcosts]

I've had my 9c adjusted twice, went to the range last week. After avoiding WWB for a long time, my 'supplier' was out of both remington and Federal so I bought a box. The 9c FTF'd several times so I just gave up. I fired all the WWB out of another pistol, not one FTF. I'm not sending it back again, I think many oldtimers know that some guns just won't shoot some ammo. It's just the way it works. I will not be without my 9c again for 2 weeks, knowing they probably can't fix it anyway. I just don't shoot those rounds anymore.
BTW I'm not an oldtimer, I just listen good. I'm old- but not experiemced in handguns.

 

[Volusianator]

I just purchased a SR9c and put 250 rounds through it the first day with zero FTF. I did a very thorough cleaning of the gun including the striker before I took it to the range. I've done quite a bit of reading on this gun before I made my purchase and it seemed that a huge % of FTF were narrowed down to the striker.

 

[Rei40c]

I just purchased a SR9c and put 250 rounds through it the first day with zero FTF. I did a very thorough cleaning of the gun including the striker before I took it to the range. I've done quite a bit of reading on this gun before I made my purchase and it seemed that a huge % of FTF were narrowed down to the striker.

Its possible you will never have that problem I never did at least, but did find shavings up until around the ~500 round mark. I check now (I'm around 950 total round count) and rarely see anything anymore. Maybe one single shiny speck on a patch occasionally but nothing like the first 200 rounds. And oddly enough most where found before I ever fired it for the first time. Since you've already gotten that clear, the number of shavings may decrease over time until your at about zero as mine did.

 

[noemarmolejo]

Thanks to everyone for all the advice. It's much appreciated. I'll shoot some other ammo and see what the results are. I'll carefully check the stricker. I hope I don't mess this up.

 

[freedomcosts]

I don't know how much experience you have with breaking trigger actions down- I have none. The manual says go no further than field-stripping. Many guys on here are like experts, and have no hesitation to break them down all the way. You can get the spray cleaner, that dries- well, dry- so powder etc doesn't stick in your action. Then use compressed air cans and blow out the trigger areas. If you feel comfortable removing those teeny springs, and putting them back- ignore my words lol
Another idea, if you DON'T feel comfy doing it- is go ahead and send it back, let Ruger make any adjustments they can, and they will clean it out most likely- to be sure you don't re-send it 3 weeks later.