Recent content by mark44spec

Your expander may be to large for the diameter of bullet you are using. This can be fixed by turning it down in a drill if you dont have a lathe. Not all dies are the same dimensions, its also possible your size die is on the large side. If you have a caliper or better yet a mic and small hole...

If the strain screw has been shortened you can put a primer cup between it and the mainspring to see if that helps. It is likely that the mainspring and rebound spring have been replaced or modified. You can look at the mainspring and check for a rib in the center, that would indicate a replacement.

You have a nicely sporterized 1903 springfield rifle. To learn more about it you could try youtube there is alot of good stuff there.

As others have said, soaking with a gel solvent will help alot.Time is your friend.

You could check for burrs with a q tip, if any cotton sticks there is a burr. Try this with the star in the normal position as well as raised up off the cylinder. if there are burrs some craytex should remove them by hand with little effort. Work slowly, if you get in a hurry you may end up...

As others have said measure your throats, and bore diameter.Slug the bore with a round ball and micrometer. Buy yourself a cheap set of small hole gages to do the throats. As long as your throats are larger than your bore you should be able to make things work. I have a brazilian 1917 in 45acp...

A small hole gage and a micrometer are the way to go. If you watch the online auctions you can find both at reasonable prices from used tool dealers. This is a nice way to buy accurate American made measuring tools at reasonable prices.

If you size your bullets to something over throat diameter you will create a seal that prevents gas from rushing around the bullet. How hard or soft dosen't really effect this. Poor lube may cause leading, usually near the muzzle. Overly hard bullets are more brittle than soft, which isn't good...

You mention the spring is new. Is that a wolf or a factory spring? It is always a good idea to keep a good fresh smith spring on hand to help work out problems like this.Just my 2cents

Many parts kits come from police depts. They confiscate the guns, many must be destroyed by their regulations. Since the frame/serial number is the controlled part that is what is destroyed, and the parts are sold or traded for something the dept needs, ie, ammo or gunsmithing services.

Try the smith and Wesson springs. Spring rate and condition means a lot in an auto, it plays a critical role in how and when things happen during the cycle. Also as others have said make sure that your extractor is not damaged or binding. It is not uncommon for **** to get behind extractors, its...

I have had the same results with them over the years. I guess the nature of their business is like a garage sale, so I don't get too upset if they make an error. Overall they have been a great asset and I enjoy working with them.

Check your crimp and make sure it is heavy. As others have said make sure there is no moisture issues, I had some problems when I started with condensation caused by components that were not the same temp at the time of loading in the damp basement shop. Check to make sure your primers are...

I think it attaches to the suspender buttons on pants. Perhaps someone has a picture of one in use

The blueing process is not an exact science, the salts work differently on each steel alloy and also depends on hardness. If you consider that it is a forced oxidation process it makes sense that some metals rust easier than others. I used a additive from brownelles to combat the plum colors, it...