617-2 reliability problem

Guns.com Vault
Gather App
R

richrd

Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2014
Messages
199
Reaction score
418
I have been trying to get a 617-2 set up for steel challenge but too many no fires, even with the main spring clamped down.

the action has been cleaned up and polished and different main springs tried.

they don't make longer firing pins for the older 617's, which I think is my problem. If I could get the firing pin out I would try to make a new one. It does not come out as easy as the newer ones.

with a couple empties in the chamber, I can slide a .008 feeler gauge thru between the cases and the breech face. Can this be shimmed out?

Sometimes it's almost good with 8 pound trigger pull, other times 10 pounds will give 2 misfires per cylinder,

Anyone solved this problem or replaced the fp, (if so where did you get the pin.
 
Carter, I've tried all of your suggestions many times. the screw is over length to allow me to tune it to what works
 
it,'s obvious that the firing pin is too short. it barely protrudes and at 13 pounds it barely dimples the primer.

it sticks thru .013. which is why I'm asking if anyone has removed one of these. Other smiths I've worked on are simple, this on is not.
 
Last edited:
Just for grins , have you sprayed any el cheapo wally world brake cleaner in both sides of the in frame firing pin? Sometimes crud gets in the firing pin housing and causes light strikes. Just went through my 70s Mdl. 18 4" after reaming chambers with our forum free reamer and deburing ratchet with old school triangle deburring tool. Used small plastic tube on brake cleaner can nd " washed" both sides. Did action job and its 3nd in line after my old 19 and 27. To range today and no FTF or rough indexing. Very happy.
 
Last edited:
Gray, yes to the brake cleaner,

Carter, the cross pin comes out easily, but I'm not sure how to drive out the bushing.
 
richrd said:
I have been trying to get a 617-2 set up for steel challenge but too many no fires, even with the main spring clamped down.

the action has been cleaned up and polished and different main springs tried.

they don't make longer firing pins for the older 617's, which I think is my problem. If I could get the firing pin out I would try to make a new one. It does not come out as easy as the newer ones.

with a couple empties in the chamber, I can slide a .008 feeler gauge thru between the cases and the breech face. Can this be shimmed out?

Sometimes it's almost good with 8 pound trigger pull, other times 10 pounds will give 2 misfires per cylinder,

Anyone solved this problem or replaced the fp, (if so where did you get the pin.
Click to expand...
I just put an Apex mass driver hammer kit in mine and now have a 5# DA trigger. I believe they also sell extended firing pins too
 
RH, this gets us into my problem. your Apex parts are only for -4 and later. maybe someday I will have to get a 4 inch -4.

I took the wolf spring out and dropped in a wilson combat. trigger pull is 8lb12 and I only had one misfire in 30 shots.

I'm done for a while maybe this winter Ill get on the lathe and made a new longer pin.
 
Have the chambers been reamed? Sometimes with tight chambers, some rims may not seat against the cylinder and are seated by the firing pin strike. This may or may not be a contributing factor, but worth checking into. The rounds need to chamber freely.
 
richrd said:
I have been trying to get a 617-2 set up for steel challenge but too many no fires, even with the main spring clamped down.

the action has been cleaned up and polished and different main springs tried.

they don't make longer firing pins for the older 617's, which I think is my problem. If I could get the firing pin out I would try to make a new one. It does not come out as easy as the newer ones.

with a couple empties in the chamber, I can slide a .008 feeler gauge thru between the cases and the breech face. Can this be shimmed out?

Sometimes it's almost good with 8 pound trigger pull, other times 10 pounds will give 2 misfires per cylinder,

Anyone solved this problem or replaced the fp, (if so where did you get the pin.
Click to expand...
You will never get a .22LR 617 hammer weight as light as you can in a Centerfire. You might try bobbi h the hammer to reduce weight and get a faster hammer fall. This is where speed is more important than mass.
 
Protocall_Design said:
Have the chambers been reamed? Sometimes with tight chambers, some rims may not seat against the cylinder and are seated by the firing pin strike. This may or may not be a contributing factor, but worth checking into. The rounds need to chamber freely.
Click to expand...
This is definitely worth checking. Bought a new 617 a couple of months ago (see my post on QC problems with that). The cylinders must have been removed with a wornout reamer, as the cartridges would only go in half way. A good revolver smith chased them with a new, sharp reamer, and they were good to go.
 
Again, Jacks says that firing pin they sell is not listed for the 617 and they can not get one for the -2. I really need to hear from someone that has done this to a -1 or 2.
 
I ordered one of the numrich pins. but I have my doubts. the fp in the pic is not whats in the gun. the description also says it fits the -4. the -4 is not the same as the -2.
 
I must be wrong about the frame mounted firing pins made before 1997. I thought all of the early .22 rimfire models like the 617, 617-1, 617-2 and the 17's made prior to 1997 (the ones that had removable firing pin bushings) used exactly the same firing pin, firing pin bushing, bushing pin and spring....except for their metallurgical differences. (stainless vs carbon steel)

I'm curious about the physical differences in the early firing pins that made them incompatible with each other. Why can't a firing pin from an early model 17 fit and function in a model 617, or a 617-2 for instance. Can someone comment on this please. Thanks




Carter
 
I appreciate everyone trying to be helpful, but if you do not have actual hands on experience, you do not know what you are talking about. I'm not trying to be a smartass, but if you have not taken a -2 apart and changed the pin, you do not know what is in there. There must be a reason the fp in the picture on Jacks site does not look like the fp in my gun. And even if they all interchangeable, it would not solve my problem unless it is longer, which is not mentioned.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

R
Shield X Firing Pin Channel Liner?
Replies
1
Views
102
Beju
B
easymoney72
1026 Hammer Pin Shim
Replies
3
Views
110
easymoney72
easymoney72
DesmoDog
New 617 for use in Steel Challenge
2 3
Replies
87
Views
3K
John_M52
J
4
617 Mountain Gun Update
Replies
2
Views
354
Sgt. Buzzard
S
M
Rejected transfer of a new 617-6 at the FFL today
2 3
Replies
63
Views
4K
mreed911
M

Latest posts

Back
Top