SR9's Light Primer strikes

[Guppy]

I have 2 330 series SR9 full size and a compact same series. All 3 are giving me light primer strikes. I have done full up trigger and striker polishing as well as the striker channels. I am getting light primer strikes 2 or 3 times per 150 rounds or so...... Winchester primers on winchester brass. The striker springs have been changed and the problem persists, any ideas?

 

[Verndog]

I've got at total of 1325 rounds thru my SR9c, and I had 2 light primer strikes around the 400 mark. As I researched the topic I found 1 thing in common with most all of the light strike issues, WWB ammo. I assume you are using the same primers as the WWB from your post. I since switched to Federal, and zero problems since with that or any other ammo I've shot.

Also after examining the actual primer strike depth and comparing to fired rounds I saw no difference, which also lends to the idea that the primer was suspect. I know there are those that claim you can reload the round and it fires, therefore it must be the gun. IMO that does not tell all since the primer is now weakened from being struck once.

 

[Big Stu]

I had several light strike with WWB ammo as well. I switched to the less expensive Federal ammo and no problems at all!

 

[jhearne]

More fuel to the WWB fire. Switch ammo (one of the common denominators) and see how the problem is affected. Federal, CCI Blazer (Brass or Aluminum) and other brands seem to do good. I usually shoot CCI Blazer Aluminum in my SR9 and it's eaten over 1250 rounds of it without hiccuping.

Josh

 

[jeffegg2]

Only used one box of WWB, but had no problems with my SR9c. Just lucky? I have had zero light strikes with my SR9c. No problems at all!!

 

[boomer1]

Only used one box of WWB, but had no problems with my SR9c. Just lucky? I have had zero light strikes with my SR9c. No problems at all!!

Maybe.... When confronted with a bad situation, I would like to be able to depend of more that luck that my firearm would work properly. :wink:

boomer 8)

 

[Yawn]

I plan on never letting Winchester ammo near any weapon of mine... not even my hunting knife... it would probably find a way to foul that up too.

 

[WAYNO]

For-darn-get-it.

WAYNO.

 

[Verndog]

So, before ya discount the failure to fire, as only ammo-related, make sure it's not a little more serious.

WAYNO.

I can only point out what experaince I had, and others have reported as a guide. Add that to 1 common denominator the OP is experiencing this with 4 seperate guns. Common sense would indicate that 4 different guns with the same problem would indicate ammo IMO. First place I'd start as he has already cleaned and polished striker and replaced springs. Also how do you go about trouble shooting 4 different guns at once, and how hard is it to try some different ammo? :roll:

 

[WAYNO]

[Quote Verndog] :roll:

My experience in talking with you, is, when your mind's made up, there's no other way. My point being, it's impossible to diagnose other folks problems, if ya don't have the gun in your hand to physically experience the symptoms.

The gun that I personally had the problem with, I could buy cases of ammo, of all brands, and if the firing striker is not resetting, different ammo's not gonna fix it.

Verndog...Do me a favor and stay away from my posts.

WAYNO.

 

[Verndog]

... My point being, it's impossible to diagnose other folks problems, if ya don't have the gun in your hand to physically experience the symptoms.

So do we just throw away the whole forum idea because it's "impossible" to diagnose (which is BS IMO)...or do we try to help WAYNO? Jeesh....take your meds, there are tons of problems that can and are resolved here without the gun.

 

[jhearne]

If it "no-strikes" often, you should have it looked at by Ruger. Has the Striker Channel been inspected for gunk/trash? Any modifications to this particular SR9c? Sounds like there is a much more serious problem with the SR9c you mention, this is similar, but not the same problem being talked about in this thread. What has been done to get it resolved?

(as for diagnosing and troubleshooting via forums, you can, but not every issue is solvable without the gun in person, it varies case to case)

Nearly all of the folks that report light strikes here are seeing trouble with one specific brand and type of ammo, and 99.99% of the time, it's been WWB 115gr FMJ ammo. Some send the gun into Ruger and it gets a different length spring. Some keep the gun as-is and just switch from WWB to something else. Both have a lasting positive effect on the reliability of the pistol.

So there are two real answers, either A) get a new striker assembly or B) stop shooting WWB 115gr FMJ ammo. This means that (respectively) A) the SR9/c's latest iteration of Striker Assemblies has enough force for most all other ammo primers, but not these seemingly random and harder Winchester Primers (these are light strikes in question, not your no-strikes) or B) Winchester ammo has a slight variation in the primers that is right on the breaking point, a "Goldilocks Zone" if you will, in which some WWB ammo is fine, and the rest isn't. Edit: Of course, there's a 3rd option for the issue, it's all sheer coincidence that the users who experience the issue just happen to shoot WWB so often that any light strikes would only appear with this particular ammo....but switching ammo to something else, CCI or Federal, even Monarch the problem should persist, no? (/edit)

Take that opinion for what you will, I've read through at least 95% of the SR9/c light strike threads since they started becoming a more common occurrence and the issue is always with WWB 115gr FMJ ammo. I honestly believe it's the later scenario I mention, the "Goldilocks" issue, where it's too firm a primer, but just barely where it still resides within Winchester's tolerance limits.

Josh

 

[Sal1950]

Call Ruger and ask for the latest striker springs, they're approx 1.600" long and install it. That will probably fix your problem, Faster and easier then sending it to Ruger. But be prepared an increase in trigger pull weight.
Sal

 

[GDSimms]

If you are using reloads, make sure the primers are seating a little below flush. I have run into this problem using CCI primers while loading 9MM on a Lee LoadMaster press. The primers looked OK but I was getting a few miss fires and they would fire on the re-strike. I had to seat them a little deeper and they were fine. Winchester and CCI primers are not as sensitive as other primers and care much be taken when seating them!

 

[Conn AK]

I plan on never letting Winchester ammo near any weapon of mine... not even my hunting knife... it would probably find a way to foul that up too.

I've kept Winchester ammo next to my hunting knife with zero issues. I guess my knife is less ammo sensitive.

 

[jeffegg2]

All three of your SR have light strikes, you changed the striker springs on all three and the problem persists. So assuming it is not the striker that is the problem, what else but the ammo?

Is there a method of firing that will cause a light primer strike? :?:

With my SR9c, after 1000+ rounds including 100 rounds of Winchester White box, I have had zero fails.

 

[WAYNO]

... My point being, it's impossible to diagnose other folks problems, if ya don't have the gun in your hand to physically experience the symptoms.

So do we just throw away the whole forum idea because it's "impossible" to diagnose (which is BS IMO)...or do we try to help WAYNO? Jeesh....take your meds, there are tons of problems that can and are resolved here without the gun.

deleted

 

[Verndog]

...Ya know? You're an ass. I was an Army gunsmith, and I full know there can be other opinions. When you roll your eyes at me when I share other scenarios, then as I said...Just stay away from me...

Ya WAYNO, I knew that but thanks for the reminder.

The eye roll is because gunsmith / blacksmith or whatever you claim we attempted to help the guy (read the post it asks for ideas whacko), and you run in swinging with blab. How did you help except to say nobody could help without a gun in the hand (not)?? Did you bother reading his post? For Christ sakes he has 4 different guns, 3 different models, with the same problem...so it's a spring or would that be 4 different springs???
Your Quote....

So, before ya discount the failure to fire, as only ammo-related, make sure it's not a little more serious...WAYNO.

WTF is that? Who discounted anything, a POSSIBLE cause was offerend thats it...

Sorry but same ending. :roll:

 

[Guppy]

Love the guns fit and feel. CCW with the full size SR is a breeze...... I have finally got the trigger where I want them and the guns shooting 4 inches or so at 25 yds with 147 lead. The light strike issue is really frustrating me. I have used winchester sm pistol primers for years without issues to this point. I have 5k or so on hand........ My dillon press has a warning about using federal pistol primers and switching concerns me a bit. I guess I will have to look into it or trade off the SR9's.

 

[Sal1950]

My dillon press has a warning about using federal pistol primers and switching concerns me a bit. I guess I will have to look into it or trade off the SR9's.

Really, I never read anything about that in the op manual for my Dillon 450B but then it's almost 30 years old ???
I can tell you I've been loading on that press for all that time and have been using Federal primers almost exclusively for most of it. Many of my range weapons have had trigger work done on them that has made them a bit finicky about primer sensitivity. CCI's are hard as bricks and will return about a 20% mis-fire ratio, Winchesters are a little better and only give about a 10% mis-fire ratio. As where Federals are 100% reliable in these guns, I wouldn't use anything else!
Sal

 

[Tam 212]

Hmmm... My SR9 has over 2500 rounds run through and the last 500 were exclusively with CCI primered reloads...

The pistol is box stock except for the Novak night sights.

 

[rkersh409]

I had 4 light primer strikes/no fire in one box of WWB with my 20 year old P89. Shot several other boxes of WWB with no trouble. So I do believe that the ammo can be a big culprit.

 

[Guppy]

There is a IDPA match next weekend. Guess I will try Federal primers. After investigating it looks like the dillion 650 is the Federal Primer kaboom issue. I have not seen anything on the square deal B going boom........

 

[Guppy]

My SR's are all older 330 series guns. Before the D shaped mag release I wonder if they changed the firing pin safety to provide less drag on the firing pin. came about. I still like the guns but have some reservations about guns that don't go bang when you pull the trigger........