Light strikes with P1914

[Oleg Volk]

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]

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]

Firing pin protrusion would be my guess...any way to modify that?

[Mk VII]

replacing the firing pin seems the first and mechanically easiest choice

[Oleg Volk]

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]

Well, let's just move this to the Smithy and see if Lonesome George can help.

:), Art

[Oleg Volk]

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]

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]

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]

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