HHI won't ignite Primers. Help please.

[Amanda4461]

Hello folks,
I have a Handgun Hunters International SuperBlackhawk, and it has decided it will not ignite primers, leaving shallow indents only. I use the same Winchester LP primers I always used. I assumed it was a weak Main Spring, so replaced the spring with a 17, then 19, then 21lb spring. No joy. The gun has a smooth trigger, so I just assumed the spring was on the weak side, which it was. However, it aint doing any better the stronger I go on the spring. Any ideas :?:
Thanks!
Amanda4461

 

[Jimbo357mag]

You might try to spray some Break-Free or other penetrant in, on, and around the firing pin from both sides and then dry fire the gun a few times. It might just be gunked up. :shock:

 

[Amanda4461]

Jimbo,
I had my doubts, but gave your idea a try. While it did not work, it made a few things clear.
1. The pin recess had a lot of black residue in the hole, but it flushed out when I used Hoppes and Break-Free while using a punch to move the firing pin in and out. Ruger seems to have a close tolerance on the firing pin and its recess.
2. The firing pin extends much farther out of the frame hole using the punch than it does using the hammer. I can trip the trigger and hold it back, and find that the firing pin does not extend far enough to ignite a primer. If it came out as far as it does when I push it out with the punch, when the trigger tripped the hammer, it would easily fire the primer.
If you cock the empty gun, and hold the trigger back while watching the firing pin from the side of the cylinder, you can see that the firing pin doesn't come out far enough. If you then move the trigger back and forth, you ,might suspect that the trigger or a part of the action is keeping the firing pin from extending all the way, since moving the trigger does indeed let the pin move back and forth. I am a 1911 person, so have no knowledge of how a SA's trigger interacts with the firing pin.
I bought this gun used, and it worked fine for a box or two of shells, then gradually began to have one chamber fail to fire. Now all chambers fail. I am beginning to believe I need to ship it to Ruger. If anyone has any fixes, please let me know.
Thanks!
Amanda

 

[Amanda4461]

Uh-oh! I had time to get a strong flashlight and look down at the Transfer Bar a minute ago. Sure looks like it has a groove in it, right at the top where the firing pin's rounded edge contacts it. Did Ruger have any soft transfer bars in the past that would become grooved over time? I assume I can buy a new transfer bar and try it out?
Thanks!
Amanda

 

[Cholo]

I don't recall Ruger having soft transfer bars. Seems to me that if your firing pin was hanging up it caused too much stress on the transfer bar when hit by the hammer causing it to flatten, or as you said, grooved. I'd pop in a new transfer bar after making sure the firing pin moves freely.

 

[6gun]

Firing pin could be worn also making it shorter if the gun has been used enough to wear a grove in the transfer bar, I would replace both, while your at it replace the fire pin spring also it could be worn.

 

[flatgate]

Has the HHI Revolver had some "trigger work" or "hammer" work?
I'd start out with a new lockwork. They're NOT all that hard to "work on". The "owner's manual" has a pretty good "write up" on the gun. There is also a wonderful "manual" written by Jerry Kuhnhausen.

flatgate

 

[Amanda4461]

Flatgate,
I'll get one of those books. Since Ruger came through with new Transfer Bar, firing Pin and Spring, gratis, I'll just replace them all. The HHI was definitely modified, since it had the barrel cut to 6", Magnaported, the trigger is very light with little slack. I would think the mainspring is about 16#, if that much. They Metalifed it also. It is the only Single Action I have left, and I use it, when it fires, for Metallic Silhouette at the local 50 yard Iron Sight matches. I don't know what dimpled the Transfer Bar, but hopefully the new parts will fix the issue.
Thanks...Amanda

 

[flatgate]

16# Mainspring? Oh, my! :shock:

I routinely utilize (well, used to utilize) the Ruger Old Army Mainsprings in my "big bore shooters". They were in the 24-25# lb. class.

I ain't nev-a had no trouble wit dem guns "not going off" when I pulls da trigg-a !



PS I also ALWAYS detail the hammer well, making certain that nothing prevents a smooth, unimpeded hammer fall.

 

[Amanda4461]

Finally have my one lonely SuperBlackhawk firing again :mrgreen:
Ruger sent me a Transfer Bar, pretty much every spring in the gun, and new grip screws to boot, all for No Charge. Replaced the old Transfer Bar with the very different new model bar, a new cylinder stop spring and new grip screws. Although Ruger sent me a new Firing Pin, Spring and the Recoil Plate pin, I didn't have to touch the Firing Pin. The new Transfer Bar took care of the issue, and I now know how to disassemble and reassemble my Super. So what if my screwdriver slipped off of the Gate Detent Spring and made a bloody hole in my thumb :evil:
One of these days I will use my vise, instead of my 100 year old roll-top desk, top to install springs and such on a handgun.
An overall enjoyable experience, enhanced by some fantastic Customer Service!
Thanks for the help and the commentary.
Amanda

 

[6gun]

Finally have my one lonely SuperBlackhawk firing again :mrgreen:
Ruger sent me a Transfer Bar, pretty much every spring in the gun, and new grip screws to boot, all for No Charge. Replaced the old Transfer Bar with the very different new model bar, a new cylinder stop spring and new grip screws. Although Ruger sent me a new Firing Pin, Spring and the Recoil Plate pin, I didn't have to touch the Firing Pin. The new Transfer Bar took care of the issue, and I now know how to disassemble and reassemble my Super. So what if my screwdriver slipped off of the Gate Detent Spring and made a bloody hole in my thumb :evil:
One of these days I will use my vise, instead of my 100 year old roll-top desk, top to install springs and such on a handgun.
An overall enjoyable experience, enhanced by some fantastic Customer Service!
Thanks for the help and the commentary.
Amanda

Must have been them new grip screws that made all the difference :lol: :lol: glad to hear you have it fixed and working again.