light strikes in a 10-6

[deadear dan]

I've got a new to me mdl 10-6 I picked up cheap with plans to shoot the snot out of it. Turns out it is giving me light primer strikes/failure to fire with about 2 rounds every cylinder. Not knowing the history of this model 10 where would you suggest I start troubleshooting? Also I have a spurless hammer which I want to replace with the original. Would less mass on the hammer add to the problem? Thanks.

 

[Inusuit]

No expert, just repeating what others have recommended.

Have you thoroughly cleaned the innards? Flushed with Gun Scrubber or similar and lightly lubricated? May require removing the sideplate. Check for instructions on how to do that without damage.

Has someone backed out the main spring tension screw on the front of the grip frame attempting to reduce the trigger pull? If so, tighten it.

I'd start with those two things. Others here will have better advice.

 

[Hapworth]

Inusuit's on it: start with a cleaning and inspection (if you know how to safely disassemble), lube, and make certain the strain screw is fully seated.

Some things to look for include the condition of the hammer nose (any damage); where on the spent and un-ignited primers the hammer nose dents are located (center?, to the side?, not there at all?).

Any issue with carry-up (what some call "timing")? Can you check for headspace and the condition of endshake? Can you check for index (the correct alignment of charge hole with forcing cone)?

Any of these separately or in concert can account for light primer strikes. Don't forget the possibility of a hang fire if a light strike happens again and keep that muzzle pointed down range for a stretch.

Usually with an older, used pick-up, the issue is someone's walked the strain screw back and tightening it fixes things. It is supposed to be tightened fully.

Sometimes you open 'er up and someone's put in a lightened mainspring or hacked on the original and the fix is a factory stock one.

And sometimes someone's filed down the strain screw for lightened pull and you need to replace it with a factory correct one.

These are the easiest situations to remedy. Carry up, endshake, headspace, hammer nose damage, indexing -- all can be more involved.

 

[stansdds]

Assuming it is not the ammo (reloads with primers not fully seated):
First guess, strain screw has been backed out or backed out on its own or shortened.
Second guess, someone altered or replaced the main spring.
Third guess, dirty, gummy lubricant creating drag on the hammer.

 

[Ugly Hombre]

"Usually with an older, used pick-up, the issue is someone's walked the strain screw back and tightening it fixes things. It is supposed to be tightened fully."

+1

I had a 21 4 with the same issue took off the grips tightened the strain screw and problem gone- many vids on how to do this on youtube.