Light strikes with P1914

Oleg Volk · February 4, 2002, 12:18 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, 05:41 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, 09:42 AM

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

Mk VII · February 5, 2002, 12:46 PM

replacing the firing pin seems the first and mechanically easiest choice

Oleg Volk · February 5, 2002, 12:47 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, 01:20 PM

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

, Art

Oleg Volk · February 7, 2002, 01:25 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, 07:49 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, 09:18 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, 09:56 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

February 4, 2002, 12:18 PM	#1
Oleg Volk Staff Alumnus Join Date: December 6, 1999 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 7,022	Light strikes with P1914 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.) __________________ Oleg "peacemonger" Volk blog.olevolk.net

February 5, 2002, 12:47 PM	#5
Oleg Volk Staff Alumnus Join Date: December 6, 1999 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 7,022	I get light strikes with both firing pins. I must not have assembled the bolt right but not sure how to fix it. __________________ Oleg "peacemonger" Volk blog.olevolk.net

February 7, 2002, 01:25 PM	#7
Oleg Volk Staff Alumnus Join Date: December 6, 1999 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 7,022	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? __________________ Oleg "peacemonger" Volk blog.olevolk.net

February 8, 2002, 09:18 AM	#9
Oleg Volk Staff Alumnus Join Date: December 6, 1999 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 7,022	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. __________________ Oleg "peacemonger" Volk blog.olevolk.net

February 8, 2002, 09:56 AM	#10
BigG Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 1999 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 4,334	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 __________________ o "The Earth is degenerating today. Bribery and corruption abound. Children no longer obey their parents, every man wants to write a book, and it is evident that the end of the world is fast approaching." Assyrian tablet, c. 2800 BC o "In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man brave, hated, and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." Mark Twain o "They have gun control in Cuba. They have universal health care in Cuba. So why do they want to come here?" Paul Harvey o TODAY WE CARVE OUT OUR OWN OMENS! Leonidas, Thermopylae, 480 BC

February 5, 2002, 05:41 AM	#2
Mk VII Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2000 Location: England Posts: 455	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.

February 5, 2002, 09:42 AM	#3
Oleg Volk Staff Alumnus Join Date: December 6, 1999 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 7,022	Firing pin protrusion would be my guess...any way to modify that?

February 5, 2002, 12:46 PM	#4
Mk VII Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2000 Location: England Posts: 455	replacing the firing pin seems the first and mechanically easiest choice

February 5, 2002, 01:20 PM	#6
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Well, let's just move this to the Smithy and see if Lonesome George can help. , Art

February 8, 2002, 07:49 AM	#8
George Stringer Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Earlington KY Posts: 2,299	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