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November 28, 2010
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Hi Guys:
Took the new to me model 44 in 44 Magnum to the frigid range this past weekend. This revolver is a Norwich blued model which came in a magnificent "Hunter Pac".
My loads were as follows... Hensley & Gibbs #45 240g LSWC self cast and lubed and sized
atop 8.5g of Unique in new Hornady Cases.
At 25 yards, once I got the Gilmore red dot sight dialed in, my groups from rest were sub 1" often with 3 to 4 shots in the same hole.
However, all day long, I would encounter what I can only say were "light" primer strikes. I was not able to discern if this was with the same cylinder holes (as they are not numbered).
I would often set these bullets aside, and then reload all of them and some would go off and others would not. I did notice that the primer strikes on them were faint as compared to those that went off.
So when I got home and was cleaning the revolver, I decided to remove the rubber grip and see what was going on with the hammer spring. Upon removal of the grip, I did notice that the round threaded spring stop (into which the grip screw screws in) was backed out of the round tang by about 5 threads. This situation means that the spring was not totally compressed? Right?
Thus, I used the grip screw to remove the spring stop, cleaned the rod and the spring and the spring stop. Put some grease on the end of the rod and reassembled the spring and tightened up the spring stop fully.
I hope this perhaps will fix the occasional light primer strikes. Your opinion and guidance is greatly appreciated.
Other than this, the pistol really is quite accurate with the load and bullet used in my load.
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
March 27, 2009
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looks like you may have found the problem, keep us posted on next trip out!
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January 24, 2009
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That would make sense that it's giving you grief, if the spring isn't compressed as far as it needs to be. Also, with the hammer back & the cylinder open, work the firing pin with the end of a pen, to make sure it moves freely & isn't gunked up inside.
November 28, 2010
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Charger Fan said:
That would make sense that it's giving you grief, if the spring isn't compressed as far as it needs to be. Also, with the hammer back & the cylinder open, work the firing pin with the end of a pen, to make sure it moves freely & isn't gunked up inside.
Good thought I will try that before the next range visit. BTW, I have been able to set up one my Star Universal reloaders to manufacture 44 Magnum. Getting the dies for the Star was the hardest part but a good machinist was able to turn down a 3 die set and make me an expander. I also found a shell plate for the 44 Magnum as well.
I have been fooling around with 2 44 magnum bullets. The first is the Lee Tumble Lube .44 240g LSWC and the latest is the #45 Hensley & Gibbs 240g Flat Nose LSWC. The latter having a flat base and the Lee has a slightly beveled base.
They sure do punch beautiful holes in paper.
November 28, 2010
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After doing the adjustment to the hammer spring keeper, I went to the range today with the Dan Wesson 44 Magnum. The loads I was using were the Lee Tumble Lube LSWC at 240g in 10:1 lead tin alloy self case and lubed with Lee Liquid Alox tumble lube unsized. These were sitting atop 8.5g of Unique and Remington Primers in TEXAS stainless cases.
The adjustment to the mainspring worked flawlessly. No light strikes or misfires.
I shot a 2" Birchwood Casey target dots at 25 Yards from rest and the groups were mighty impressive using the 8" barrel in heavy shroud. The loads were made on my Star Universal using Dave Wilson dies which are the Lee Dies that Dave turns down and rethreads to be able to fit the Star press.
PICTURE OF GROUPS IS BELOW…. really fine shooting revolver and load. High potential for accuracy.
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January 24, 2009
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Glad to hear that fixed it & it's now running right.
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