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View Full Version : Light strikes with P1914

Oleg Volk
February 4, 2002, 01:18 PM
I had my P1914 converted with a "speedlock" kit to cock on opening. Got light strikes which would fire new ammo but not surplus corrosive (about 75% would require a re-strike). I put the original bolt back in but the problem got worse: now not even a re-strike would fire corrosive ammo though new would still work.

I am not sure if I assembled the bolt incorrectly or something else is wrong. Suggestions? Anyone in Nashville with expereince in such things.

(I'd take it to a smith but the one I tried for the 1911 failed to fix it: ejection became reliable but the direction has become more consistently in-my-face, too. I might have to find a better one locally.)
Mk VII
February 5, 2002, 06:41 AM
either (1) headspace has increased to unacceptable limits [ I think there would be other signs as well] (2) surplus ammo has become increasingly insensitive due to age and/or poor storage [it usually demands a harder strike anyway] (3) firing pin protrusion is insufficient (4) striker spring is finally giving up after eighty years.
Hard to say which combination of the above.
Oleg Volk
February 5, 2002, 10:42 AM
Firing pin protrusion would be my guess...any way to modify that?
Mk VII
February 5, 2002, 01:46 PM
replacing the firing pin seems the first and mechanically easiest choice
Oleg Volk
February 5, 2002, 01:47 PM
I get light strikes with both firing pins. I must not have assembled the bolt right but not sure how to fix it.
Art Eatman
February 5, 2002, 02:20 PM
Well, let's just move this to the Smithy and see if Lonesome George can help.

:), Art
Oleg Volk
February 7, 2002, 02:25 PM
Just thinking...P14 has a Mauser type bolt design. I have recently encountered a K98 with an identical problem. I amwondering now if my re-assembly technique was flawed...how'd I check it?
George Stringer
February 8, 2002, 08:49 AM
Oleg, were you getting light strikes before you installed the kit? There's really only one way to put the bolt back together so I doubt you did it wrong. How's the firing pin protrusion? It should be .060"-.065". Have you checked the headspace? George
Oleg Volk
February 8, 2002, 10:18 AM
That rifled was entirely reliable before.Maybe my ammo has grown old or been subjected to poor storage recently...but the problems seem to have started just as I replaced the kit and happen with two batches of ammo.
BigG
February 8, 2002, 10:56 AM
Just a thought... there is no grease inside the bolt? In cold weather grease will cause a firing pin to move in slo-mo. HTH