Mjksfires in Mod25 (45ACP) with Win primers

[Shooter6br]

tried my 45ACP loads in my Smith 25. Got misfires. Used Fed primmers not a one. I have had some misfires in my 657 and Sig 250 on occassion with the Winchester. I beleive the Winnys are a hard primmers . Anyone have similar opinion? Also what is a good 45ACP target load using Unique or Universal( revelover specific) Thanks for your input Rick

 

[David Sinko]

Either the mainspring has been altered (lightened) or the strain screw is backing out. Make sure the strain screw is tight. If the strain screw is tight, then try a new mainspring. Loc-tite on the strain screw is also a very good idea.

Yes, Winchester primers are "hard," compared to Federal. But any box stock S&W revolver will fire them with complete reliability. I use mostly Winchester primers with all my S&W revolvers. All my springs are slightly reduced and still fire all brands of primers with complete reliability.

As you are experiencing misfires with other handguns, there is a good chance that you are not seating the primers deep enough. They need to be bottomed out in the pocket and slightly below flush. Stand the cartridges upright on a hard surface; any slight wobble is totally unacceptable.

Dave Sinko

 

[Steve C]

As Dave Sinko wrote, the problem is likely the strain screw has been backed out for a poor mans trigger job. On an older revolver the strain screw was set to the length that would give factory spec hammer strength for reliable ignition when screwed in completely. Late model revolvers the strain screw is set at the factory but usually has + adjustment greater than factory spec, probably saved 15 minutes of hand work by an assembler. Either way turn in it in a bit to increase hammer spring tension.

If it is an old and well worn gun then a replacement spring can be bought from Wolf Springs for SMITH & WESSON Revolvers.

Make sure you are seating the primers so that you can feel them bottom out in the pocket. Anything less than full seat will cause miss fires. I've not had any misfires with Win primers, either the older nickle ones or the later copper ones. CCi primers have given me a few misfires in an old model Trooper.

 

[WR Moore]

While I agree with the comments of previous posters, there's a missed possibility: user error.

If you're trying to get the maximum accuracy in double action, you may be unconciously relaxing your trigger finger as the hammer starts to drop. This can allow the trigger to move slightly forward and allow the hammer to catch, very slightly, on the rebound slide. This can rob just enough force from the hammer to cause misfires.

Since you're also having the issue with the Sig, I have to suggest a failure to fully seat the primers as the most likely cause. Unless there's an altered mainspring in the weapon.

 

[Shooter6br]

Kudos gentlemen..............Strain screw was backed out a bit. Tightened it and NO MISFIRES with Winny primers. Rechecked seating depth of primers all seated fully... That is why if you have a Smith ( all should) this is the place to be Thanks Rick

 

[tom turner]

Why use Winchester primers at all if you handload. Sure, they aren't as "hard" (prone to misfire) as CCI, but Federal 150 is THE primer to use when loading for your S&W .45ACP revolver.

Yes, they are harder around my neck of the woods to find . . . so I just buy 'em in bulk when I can. Federals always go bang, even in my competition-tuned revolvers.

Anything that doesn't go bang every time in a revolver turns it into having the reliability of most automatics. That's why my main self defense handguns are all revolvers . . .