Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > General Topics > Firearms & Knives: Other Brands & General Gun Topics
o

Notices

Firearms & Knives: Other Brands & General Gun Topics Post Your General Gun Topics and Non-S&W Gun and Blade Topics Here


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 04-19-2017, 10:57 PM
sigp220.45's Avatar
sigp220.45 sigp220.45 is offline
US Veteran
My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power  
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Colorado
Posts: 8,075
Likes: 27,790
Liked 33,580 Times in 5,253 Posts
Default My full-auto Hi Power

I had my Hi Power at the range today, to try it with some WalMart Federal aluminum case ball. I put in the second magazine full, hit the slide release, and BOOM.

The round went safely downrange. My first thought was that I had hit the trigger somehow, though I was sure my finger was outside the trigger guard. I went ahead and fired off the rest of the magazine. On the last two rounds the gun went full auto. I can tell you the cyclic rate is pretty high.

I shot up the remainder of the hundred rounds, loading only two at a time. It didn't slam fire or double again.

I've had this gun for about 7 years, and shoot it quite a bit. I bought it used, and had the mag safety removed and a Cylinder and Slide safety installed.

I just gave it a good cleaning, including the firing pin, spring, and channel. I don't think the ammo had anything to do with it, but I'm going to try it with some regular ball tomorrow. Two rounds at a time.

I prefer the round hammer spur, so I think I'll order a kit to replace it, the sear, and the springs.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_1218.JPG (48.1 KB, 174 views)
__________________
“What you got, ain’t new.”
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #2  
Old 04-19-2017, 11:23 PM
wx7b's Avatar
wx7b wx7b is offline
Member
My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power  
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Greeley, CO
Posts: 176
Likes: 1,979
Liked 101 Times in 66 Posts
Default

Firing pin stuck forward?
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 04-19-2017, 11:28 PM
LVSteve's Avatar
LVSteve LVSteve is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Lost Wages, NV
Posts: 19,827
Likes: 24,247
Liked 28,991 Times in 10,771 Posts
Default

Did the hammer ride down with the slide or do you think the firing pin jammed?
__________________
Release the Kraken
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 04-19-2017, 11:37 PM
sigp220.45's Avatar
sigp220.45 sigp220.45 is offline
US Veteran
My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power  
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Colorado
Posts: 8,075
Likes: 27,790
Liked 33,580 Times in 5,253 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by LVSteve View Post
Did the hammer ride down with the slide or do you think the firing pin jammed?
I suspect the hammer dropped when the slide slammed forward, but I have no way to know for sure. It won't do it now, empty.

I shot it about a week ago and cleaned it, but I didn't pull the firing pin then. I did tonight, and it was clean and the spring was strong.
__________________
“What you got, ain’t new.”
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 04-20-2017, 12:27 AM
Fishinfool's Avatar
Fishinfool Fishinfool is offline
Member
My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power  
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Central PA
Posts: 4,550
Likes: 8,201
Liked 11,437 Times in 3,018 Posts
Default

Long ago I traded for an old Llama, I think, 32. auto. That gun would go full auto with almost every magazine full. Gets your attention the first time or two... Eventually brought it to a gun shop, described the problem, and traded it towards something I wanted more, as I got it for almost nothing in the trade.

I'm thinking a sear / hammer notch problem on yours.

Larry
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #6  
Old 04-20-2017, 01:01 AM
Class III Class III is offline
Member
My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power  
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: West Tennessee
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 891
Liked 734 Times in 300 Posts
Default

BTDT. Had to threaten Browning with a letter & video to ATF.


Problem was diagnosed by my gunsmith as the sear pin being drilled cockeyed.


After, I think, three trips back and forth between "Browning Mother Ship" and me, lots of phone calls, letters and emails to the CEO, COO, CFO and all the members of the BOD, the "Mother Ship" decided it was in their best interest to refund my purchase price.


This experience taught me the skills of "I will not be ignored", "I will not go away" and "I will be a thorn in your *** until I receive satisfaction".


Class III
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #7  
Old 04-20-2017, 01:30 AM
sodacan sodacan is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,415
Likes: 1,099
Liked 5,123 Times in 1,572 Posts
Default

I'm curious.Why did you keep shooting the gun after you had the problem?
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #8  
Old 04-20-2017, 01:50 AM
sigp220.45's Avatar
sigp220.45 sigp220.45 is offline
US Veteran
My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power  
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Colorado
Posts: 8,075
Likes: 27,790
Liked 33,580 Times in 5,253 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by sodacan View Post
I'm curious.Why did you keep shooting the gun after you had the problem?
Why not?

I knew what to expect if the problem continued. I only loaded 2 rounds at a time, and I could keep those on the backstop if it doubled again, which it didn't.

I'll do the same thing when I shoot it with different ammo tomorrow.
__________________
“What you got, ain’t new.”
Reply With Quote
The Following 7 Users Like Post:
  #9  
Old 04-20-2017, 07:02 AM
Jessie's Avatar
Jessie Jessie is offline
Member
My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power  
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Virginia
Posts: 8,865
Likes: 10,603
Liked 15,202 Times in 5,250 Posts
Default

If you recovered all your brass, check the primers for any scrape marks.
I had an Lc9 that got a clogged firing pin channel from primer brass.
Maybe that particular brand/lot had protruding primers and a sliver jammed the firing pin forward.
Just a thought.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 04-20-2017, 07:36 AM
OLDSTER's Avatar
OLDSTER OLDSTER is offline
Member
My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power  
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: North Dakota
Posts: 10,146
Likes: 14,187
Liked 12,739 Times in 3,480 Posts
Default slam fire

I've experienced that problem several times on my old ( WWI-WWII )military pistols. In my situations, it is always in the sear/sear spring/hammer notch area. When the slide slams home, it jars that area enough to release the hammer. So if the messed up geometry is just so, the gun will keep going full auto I'm betting that's your problem, and the previous owner got a little aggressive when polishing the sear/hammer area ??
__________________
John

Last edited by OLDSTER; 04-22-2017 at 01:17 PM. Reason: wording
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #11  
Old 04-20-2017, 08:38 AM
rwsmith's Avatar
rwsmith rwsmith is offline
Member
My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: (outside) Charleston, SC
Posts: 30,907
Likes: 41,495
Liked 29,151 Times in 13,779 Posts
Default Chance to shoot a full auto.......

Quote:
Originally Posted by sodacan View Post
I'm curious.Why did you keep shooting the gun after you had the problem?
No license, no bother. If you are called down YOU did nothing to make it full auto. Manufacturing defect.
__________________
"He was kinda funny lookin'"
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 04-20-2017, 08:55 AM
03hemi's Avatar
03hemi 03hemi is offline
Member
My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power  
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 3,010
Likes: 4,457
Liked 5,821 Times in 1,892 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by rwsmith View Post
No license, no bother. If you are called down YOU did nothing to make it full auto. Manufacturing defect.
Yeah right, tell that to the guy that went to prison for the same thing, made no difference to the BATF, they have no sense of humor! Not a smart thing to do, besides, your gun is broken and it needs to be fixed.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 04-20-2017, 08:58 AM
alaskavett alaskavett is offline
US Veteran
My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power  
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Wasilla ALASKA
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 2,293
Liked 259 Times in 154 Posts
Default

I believe once you have identified there is a defect or problem and chose to continue to shoot you are entering into some "grey water".. It is my experiance BATF takes a dim view of such things and the "I did not do anything wrong" may not hold up or keep you out of hot water. Is the gun now repaired? Could be that BATF is reading your posts as they have done on other forums. Be careful!
Kyle
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #14  
Old 04-20-2017, 09:04 AM
Arik Arik is offline
Member
My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power  
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Outside Philadelphia Pa
Posts: 16,601
Likes: 7,342
Liked 17,200 Times in 7,303 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by alaskavett View Post
I believe once you have identified there is a defect or problem and chose to continue to shoot you are entering into some "grey water".. It is my experiance BATF takes a dim view of such things and the "I did not do anything wrong" may not hold up or keep you out of hot water. Is the gun now repaired? Could be that BATF is reading your posts as they have done on other forums. Be careful!
Kyle
Technically speaking once your firearms autos like that you're already in "grey water". There is no time period to recognize a problem and stop. It either is or isn't. The law is very clear. You either have an illegal full auto or you don't. Doesn't matter how it happened. Law makes no distinction and people have gone to prison for it

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

Last edited by Arik; 04-20-2017 at 09:06 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 04-20-2017, 12:50 PM
H Richard's Avatar
H Richard H Richard is offline
US Veteran
My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power  
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: West Central IL
Posts: 22,758
Likes: 18,437
Liked 22,313 Times in 8,245 Posts
Default

Way back in the 80's when I first started tinkering around with 1911's, I took my first trigger job to the range. dropped the slide and all was fine, pulled the trigger and all 7 rounds spit out. It went back home and that hammer and sear went in the trash. I have not had one since. I respect a minimum of .020 sear engagement on the trigger. Just make it clean and smooth.
__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #16  
Old 04-20-2017, 12:57 PM
sigp220.45's Avatar
sigp220.45 sigp220.45 is offline
US Veteran
My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power  
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Colorado
Posts: 8,075
Likes: 27,790
Liked 33,580 Times in 5,253 Posts
Default

Well, my renegade Hi Power apparently decided to revert to its boring semi-auto life. I went through about 60 rounds of brass cased ball ammo of both 115 and 147 grain weight. No slam fires, no doubling. I was about to write it off as senile dementia, until I let the slide forward on an empty gun and the hammer dropped to half cock.

The range has a decent gunsmith, so I left it with him and told him I'd bring in the round hammer, sear, and spring kit for him to install.

Its time to give my Model 39 a little carry time, anyway.
__________________
“What you got, ain’t new.”

Last edited by sigp220.45; 04-20-2017 at 12:59 PM.
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #17  
Old 04-20-2017, 01:10 PM
Sistema1927's Avatar
Sistema1927 Sistema1927 is offline
US Veteran
My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power  
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: "Land of Disenchantment"
Posts: 3,374
Likes: 3,918
Liked 9,075 Times in 2,497 Posts
Default

Did you get a chance to try the "click test" prior to leaving it with the smith?
__________________
Only a cold warrior
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 04-20-2017, 01:46 PM
sodacan sodacan is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,415
Likes: 1,099
Liked 5,123 Times in 1,572 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by rwsmith View Post
No license, no bother. If you are called down YOU did nothing to make it full auto. Manufacturing defect.
First of all, I'm pretty sure that excuse wouldn't hold water. If you continued to shoot it knowing there was a problem, there would be culpability for having a gun that performed in that manner. Secondly what about the safety aspect????

Last edited by sodacan; 04-20-2017 at 01:52 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 04-20-2017, 01:57 PM
DWalt's Avatar
DWalt DWalt is online now
Member
My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: South Texas & San Antonio
Posts: 33,481
Likes: 236
Liked 28,945 Times in 14,014 Posts
Default

I am sure that once a gun has gone full automatic, regardless of the cause, it instantly becomes an NFA weapon and stays one forever. At least according to the law. Of course if you are the only person aware of it...
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 04-20-2017, 02:36 PM
Straightshooter2's Avatar
Straightshooter2 Straightshooter2 is offline
US Veteran
My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power  
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: South of Gritville
Posts: 2,580
Likes: 1,113
Liked 2,547 Times in 1,006 Posts
Default

Many moons ago, a friend of mine was on our squadron pistol team. He was firing in a match and first round out of his 1911 it went full auto. I seem to remember it was a problem with the firing pin.

I was shooting my SKS at a range in Jacksonville and had fired two rounds when the next three went full auto. I laid it down on the bench and looked at it, looked around and the other three people on the rifle range were looking at me. Apparently I had a rather sickly look on my face when one of the people asked me, "Did that just triple." I nodded, said, "Yeah," and put it back in the truck. I sold it back to the guy I bought it from!
__________________
μολὼν λαβέ
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #21  
Old 04-20-2017, 02:48 PM
sigp220.45's Avatar
sigp220.45 sigp220.45 is offline
US Veteran
My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power  
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Colorado
Posts: 8,075
Likes: 27,790
Liked 33,580 Times in 5,253 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sistema1927 View Post
Did you get a chance to try the "click test" prior to leaving it with the smith?
I did. No click.
__________________
“What you got, ain’t new.”
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 04-20-2017, 03:47 PM
moralem moralem is offline
Member
My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,451
Likes: 240
Liked 6,183 Times in 1,570 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by sodacan View Post
I'm curious.Why did you keep shooting the gun after you had the problem?
Why wouldn't you keep shooting the gun?........in a far off place in the woods with no prying eyes.......
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #23  
Old 04-22-2017, 10:35 AM
steamloco76's Avatar
steamloco76 steamloco76 is offline
Member
My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power  
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Western Pennsylvania
Posts: 3,676
Likes: 1,769
Liked 3,702 Times in 1,242 Posts
Default

Many years ago at the age of 18 I had my very well used tubular receiver Stevens .22 LR go full auto. The fist time it happened only four or five rounds went blap. Scared the stuff out of me. I tore the rifle down and gave it a thorough cleaning. Midway through my next dump shooting session, I loaded 15 rounds in the tube, pulled the rifle to eye level and pulled back the bolt. When I realeased the bolt all 15 rounds went blaaaaaappppp! Without my ever touching the trigger. Loading another tube full resulted in the same thing. Let me tell you, that Stevens had one fast cyclic rate!
My dad called a local gunsmith who bought the gun from him for $50 rather than repairing it. To this day, I wonder exactly what the gunsmith did with that old Stevens.
__________________
Virtue,Liberty & Independence
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #24  
Old 04-22-2017, 11:46 AM
CAJUNLAWYER's Avatar
CAJUNLAWYER CAJUNLAWYER is offline
Member
My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: On da Bayou Teche
Posts: 18,410
Likes: 18,442
Liked 58,602 Times in 9,624 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by DWalt View Post
I am sure that once a gun has gone full automatic, regardless of the cause, it instantly becomes an NFA weapon and stays one forever. At least according to the law. Of course if you are the only person aware of it...
Or the internet.....
__________________
Forum consigliere
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #25  
Old 04-22-2017, 06:46 PM
Muley Gil Muley Gil is online now
US Veteran
My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: The SW Va Blue Ridge
Posts: 17,473
Likes: 88,960
Liked 24,780 Times in 8,482 Posts
Default

Caj,

Where have you been, son?????????????????
__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 04-22-2017, 07:21 PM
apollo99 apollo99 is offline
Member
My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power  
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: ARIZONA
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 103
Liked 1,475 Times in 601 Posts
Default

My Police range had an old rattle trap 1911 that routinely went full auto, they would take it out from time to time to show us the evils of a semi-auto pistol. I wonder what they ever did with that thing. It's probably rusting in the bottom of the sea out in the Atlantic somewhere. That was back in the NYPD revolver days when the job figured 6 in the gun and 12 in the belt was good enough.
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 04-22-2017, 10:21 PM
sodacan sodacan is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,415
Likes: 1,099
Liked 5,123 Times in 1,572 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by moralem View Post
Why wouldn't you keep shooting the gun?........in a far off place in the woods with no prying eyes.......
1. Because it's broken.
2. Because it's unsafe.
3. Because it's illegal.
4. Because after considering 1,2 and 3, it would make sense.
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 04-22-2017, 10:46 PM
amazingflapjack amazingflapjack is offline
US Veteran
My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power  
Join Date: May 2010
Location: North Central Florida
Posts: 5,947
Likes: 24,644
Liked 6,195 Times in 2,575 Posts
Default Oh Yeah...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Class III View Post
BTDT. Had to threaten Browning with a letter & video to ATF.


Problem was diagnosed by my gunsmith as the sear pin being drilled cockeyed.


After, I think, three trips back and forth between "Browning Mother Ship" and me, lots of phone calls, letters and emails to the CEO, COO, CFO and all the members of the BOD, the "Mother Ship" decided it was in their best interest to refund my purchase price.


This experience taught me the skills of "I will not be ignored", "I will not go away" and "I will be a thorn in your *** until I receive satisfaction".


Class III
Yeah Class-boy do I remember that one!! Flapjack.
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 05-08-2017, 02:26 PM
sigp220.45's Avatar
sigp220.45 sigp220.45 is offline
US Veteran
My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power  
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Colorado
Posts: 8,075
Likes: 27,790
Liked 33,580 Times in 5,253 Posts
Default

Got my contentious Hi Power back today. I like the looks of the Commander style hammer.

I'll be at the range tomorrow to see if it is still a little machinegun.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_1312.jpg (59.9 KB, 17 views)
__________________
“What you got, ain’t new.”
Reply With Quote
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
  #30  
Old 05-09-2017, 04:11 PM
sigp220.45's Avatar
sigp220.45 sigp220.45 is offline
US Veteran
My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power My full-auto Hi Power  
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Colorado
Posts: 8,075
Likes: 27,790
Liked 33,580 Times in 5,253 Posts
Default

The drama is over. My beloved Hi Power has returned to the boring life of a semi-auto after a brief walk on the wild side as a sassy full auto.

The replacement hammer kit from Cylinder and Slide did the trick. 150 rounds downrange, incluing 100 of the Federal aluminum cased ball I was using when it misbehaved. I sent the slide forward on an empty chamber a bunch of times, with no repeat of the hammer dropping on its own.

This episode was a good reminder to remember the basics, like keeping the muzzle in a safe direction. I've loaded this gun a hundred times at home. I would have been an unpopular guy indeed if I had performed a "desk pop" in my house. Now when I chamber a round in this (or any other semi) I use use a stack of magazines as a potential backstop.

I do like the look of the new hammer. It looks like a proper HP now.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_1313.jpg (143.1 KB, 24 views)
__________________
“What you got, ain’t new.”
Reply With Quote
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Wolff Full Power Mainspring Monte_Northam S&W-Smithing 7 02-13-2016 02:08 PM
Who loads full power wc's? Boogsawaste Reloading 52 11-12-2014 09:48 AM
Full Power 158 Gr. 357 Magnum Loads 686357 Reloading 22 08-01-2010 03:38 PM
.357 Magnum power in an auto? Marshall 357 The Lounge 27 10-23-2009 01:07 PM
How many full power rounds can a M29-2 take? 338x74R S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 26 01-24-2009 04:23 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:02 PM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)