Primers are locking up my revolver, any clue?

[Stopsign32v]

This one is a new one to me. Was shooting the SAA today (it happened once before but I shrugged it off) and every single round did this. I only got to fire 3 before she was completely frozen up! I had to take out the base pin and man handle the cylinder out. Gun is fine but I'd like to figure this out so I can shoot it.

This was with 6.3gr of Unique and regular spp. The primers are ballooning out.

[reddog81]

What size of bullet? 6.3grains is a light load for 45 Colt.

Every time you fire a centerfire round the pressure from the primer causes the to primer back out and then once the gun powder ignites and starts pushing the bullet down the bore the case is pressed back reseats the primer. Your loads don't have enough pressure to fully slam the case back and reseat the primer.

[Sgtonory]

I have had this happen when loading hot glue bullets. If your load is to light it can cause this. I had to drill out the flash hole to keep the primer from popping out. What is book min and max for your load? H

[Char-Gar]

There could be several causes, but to a 95% certainty, your loads were too light. 6.3 grains would be a good factory level load if you were using Bullseye powder. Boost your Unique load about 2 grains and your problem will go away.

[JimB..]

That’d be 357 brass, and 6.3 of unique under a 158g SWC is right at or slightly above max. Do the other rounds that were in the cylinder show any setback? Have you changed to a softer primer?

[Petrol & Powder]

There could be several causes, but to a 95% certainty, your loads were too light. 6.3 grains would be a good factory level load if you were using Bullseye powder. Boost your Unique load about 2 grains and your problem will go away.

/\ Ditto, I concur.

[Stopsign32v]

That’d be 357 brass, and 6.3 of unique under a 158g SWC is right at or slightly above max. Do the other rounds that were in the cylinder show any setback? Have you changed to a softer primer?

Other rounds setback? No

Not sure if a different primer would be the answer. I've used these primers in 38 special powder puff loads and they did just fine.

Unique shouldn't require a magnum primer but I do have some I could try....??? I'm stumped here.

[Stopsign32v]

I like my hand. Not going to step it up at least 2 grains! This is 357 Magnum and not 45 Colt! I probably should have been more clear.

[jsizemore]

What boolit? I see it's 357 mag brass.

[Stopsign32v]

What boolit? I see it's 357 mag brass.

158gr copper plated

[Char-Gar]

I like my hand. Not going to step it up at least 2 grains! This is 357 Magnum and not 45 Colt! I probably should have been more clear.

Yes, you should have been more clear and I should not have assumed you were talking about a 45 Colt.

That being the case, your problem is not to light a load. In that case, I would change makes of primers and see what happens. If it is still doing it, then look to the headspace of the cylinder.

There also could be the issue of the firing pin hole being too large and the primer flowing back into it binding up the cylinder.

Check the firing pin bushing for burrs etc pushed up by the hammer strike. These can catch and hold the primer. I had this happen many years ago with a Colt New Frontier in 357 Mag. I stoned off the burrs and the problem went away.

What make of handgun are you dealing with?

[Stopsign32v]

There also could be the issue of the firing pin hole being too large and the primer flowing back into it binding up the cylinder.

Well I'll be dang. You think this is my problem? Blued is my 45 Colt and stainless is the 357 Magnum.

[redhawk0]

That's it....to much gap around the primer...glad you found it.

redhawk

[Stopsign32v]

Gosh dangit! Now I have to deal with a factory defect and sending it back! Well thanks guys a ton, I'd have never figured it out alone.

[mdi]

Wow, never seen a firing pin hole like that. What make/model revolver? New?

[country gent]

That explains the raised ring in the primer around the firing pin indent.

[sutherpride59]

Good heavens that’s a lot of empty space where empty space don’t belong!

[Stopsign32v]

Wow, never seen a firing pin hole like that. What make/model revolver? New?

Uberti and yes new

[ShooterAZ]

That's a shame. Send it back is what I'd do.

[Stopsign32v]

How can they even fix this? The really bad thing is this is a ridiculously smooth traditional 4 click Colt style action in stainless steel. Uberti doesn't make this action anymore so if they gave me a brand new one it would be with a stupid retractable firing pin. What I might see is if I can return it minus my hammer and trigger. I dunno, we will see Monday.