WFargo Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 Hi guys, The following might be common knowledge for some or most, but definitely not for me. So just wanted to share this experience. I was dry firing last night and to finish off, I did some slide lock reloads with dummy rounds. ( my dummy rounds are simply rounds without a primer) The last dummy round was stuck in the chamber. My dummy rounds NEVER get stuck in the chamber.... so that was already weird.. I grabbed the slide and hit the frame with my other hand and the round popped out. Okay, all done. Gun in the safe and off to bed. This morning wanted to dry fire again and as I pull the trigger, the sound is different.... I take a closer look and see that the firing pin no longer protrudes from the firing pin stop plate. It's stuck forward! As I take it apart I see that the end of my extended firing pin is bent! What I didn't know, is that there is a possibility that the extended firing pin gets stuck in the channel beyond the primer pocket! That was the reason the round was 'stuck' in the chamber! As the firing pin was stuck in the case, the barrel could not unlock and move downwards. As I grabbed the slide and slammed the frame, the barrel was forced downwards, which bent the firing pin, as it was still stuck in the case. I must have pulled the trigger on a dummy round like this a million times... but apparantly this can happen! Sooo.... I will be making a new set of dummy rounds with the spent primers still in the case to prevent this from happening again. Maybe this will help some other unknowing fool like me.... Hahahaha! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don_B Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 Yep that used to be an issue years ago until they figured out to make firing pins the proper diameter for the firing pin hole. It could have been that the firing pin was stuck in the slide but if that was the case it would do it when you unload and show clear. Basically anytime you dry fire it. More that likely it stuck in the flash hole of your dummy round. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ima45dv8 Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 1 hour ago, WFargo said: Sooo.... I will be making a new set of dummy rounds with the spent primers still in the case to prevent this from happening again. I recall some enterprising souls on here making dummy rounds with the primer pocket filled with rubber/RTV. If using spent primers, the firing pin can eventually pierce that spent primer, potentially catching the firing pin in the forward stroke. The RTV provided a cushion. Gasket sealer might work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George16 Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 I made dummy rounds for dry fire using RTV silicone sealant on the primer pockets, filled it up with some of my daughter’s play dough and 124 Gr bullets to mimic the 190 Gr weight of my actual ammo. I also painted it red so differentiate and always kept away from my live ammo. Heres a pic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyOne Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 You might try melting some solder into the primer pocket to make dummy rounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dranoel Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 2 hours ago, George16 said: I made dummy rounds for dry fire using RTV silicone sealant on the primer pockets, filled it up with some of my daughter’s play dough and 124 Gr bullets to mimic the 190 Gr weight of my actual ammo. I also painted it red so differentiate and always kept away from my live ammo. Heres a pic I have always used pieces of pencil eraser but this looks like a far better idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zzt Posted August 28, 2021 Share Posted August 28, 2021 I'd use a shorter firing pin. The longest that I know of is the Dawson. It is so long the tip sits right at the front of the firing pin hole. Even so, it cannot protrude far enough in my slides to reach the flash hole. I think your firing pin channel was drilled too deep. Next longest is the Cheely. That's what I prefer if extra length is needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bakerjd Posted August 29, 2021 Share Posted August 29, 2021 8 hours ago, ima45dv8 said: I recall some enterprising souls on here making dummy rounds with the primer pocket filled with rubber/RTV. If using spent primers, the firing pin can eventually pierce that spent primer, potentially catching the firing pin in the forward stroke. The RTV provided a cushion. Gasket sealer might work. Dang this is a great idea. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RePete Posted August 29, 2021 Share Posted August 29, 2021 I made mine with hot glue in the primer pockets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WFargo Posted August 30, 2021 Author Share Posted August 30, 2021 Thanks for the great tips, guys! My wife has a hot glue gun, so I'll go that route first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xrayfk05 Posted August 30, 2021 Share Posted August 30, 2021 I never got glue to stick so I just drilled out the primer holes to a larger diameter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ltdmstr Posted August 30, 2021 Share Posted August 30, 2021 If you do the trigger correctly and use a 19 lb mainspring there's no need for an extra long firing pin. And the heavier spring with correct hammer and sear angles will get you under 2 lb pull and also provide a far cleaner break, overall better feel, and 100% positive ignition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmer Posted August 31, 2021 Share Posted August 31, 2021 (edited) I put a small paper disk inside the cases before applying the hot glue. It keeps the glue from just running into the case and what does flow through the flash hole helps hold it in the pocket. Edited August 31, 2021 by Farmer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WFargo Posted August 31, 2021 Author Share Posted August 31, 2021 @ ltdmstr I actually had to install a 'normal' firing pin for the match last Sunday as I did not have an extended one spare. I had no issues with light primer strikes at all. To explain further; when I was experiencing light primer strikes a couple months ago, I in fact installed a new and heavier 19 lbs main spring and an extended firing pin. Apparantly the change of the main spring would have been sufficient, so I'm gonna keep it like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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