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Post by jordanthedoberman on Aug 17, 2021 18:47:28 GMT -5
Chronograph day started off good, with the first four loads fired used to Zero the Burris 2x. The next five 300gr Cast Performance gas checked bullets destroyed the 10-ring. I used 16gr of BlueDot with the CCI 41 Primer and received an average of 1339fps with SD of 21.
The next ten rounds fired were 300gr XTP Magnums using 20gr of BlueDot and the CCI 41. The loading inset that was included with the Casull specified a Maximum of 19gr of BlueDot using the FA300JFP for 1534fps. I used my two year old Sierra manual to justify loading above the max load from FA. The end result was an average 1431fps with SD of 34.
The Cast Performance lead gas checked bullets were loaded a couple hundredths longer than spec overall length, but fit within the cylinder. A heavy roll crimp was applied after seating in the forward crimp groove. Pressure signs were non-existent. Most of the empties dropped free without using the ejector rod.
The XTP Magnums were loaded to 1.750” and a heavy crimp applied to the cannelure. This load also exhibited no pressure signs, but half of the empties required a tap of the ejector rod.
I was down to my final three rounds to chronograph when the final round locked up the cylinder. I found the cylinder bolt still engaged in the bolt notch, the trigger refused to go to even the first notch. A borescope showed the empty brass.
Unfortunately, the Firing Pin appears to have fractured, part in the primer and part in the pin’s channel. According to the FA gunsmith I talked to, a known issue with my generation of model 83. He asked if I had been dry-firing, which I don’t do, but the first owner could have and I don't know. Regardless, the superbly accurate model 83 will head off for a new replaceable firing pin, extra pins and springs, and some Micarta stocks.
Well, it took 27 years for me to find this revolver, and for the firing pin to break🤦♂️
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Post by lar4570 on Aug 17, 2021 18:57:24 GMT -5
Oh, that's terrible.
My first real revolver was a S&W M29 44 mag with the 10 5/8" barrel and 4 position adjustable front sight. I had the gun about a week and the trigger pin crystalized and broke. I shipped it back for a repair and had it back in about 2 weeks. I then proceeded to wear it out.
Looks like the Quickload estimate was fairly close.
454 Casull 7.5" barrel, 300gn XTP Mag, COAL 1.745"
Quickload data:
BlueDot 20gn, 1488fps @ 40,000psi-ish, 94% load density.
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Post by bradshaw on Aug 17, 2021 19:15:07 GMT -5
jordanthedoberman.... I don’t even dry fire the Model 83 with snap caps.To dry fire, I set a piece of leather, rubber, or lead into the hammer slot between the recoil shields.
David Bradshaw
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Post by jordanthedoberman on Aug 17, 2021 19:25:25 GMT -5
The only pistols I dryfire are my Pardini SP-22 and my CZ 455, using drywall plugs as snap caps. They will load from the magazine, they work and are cheap.
i have no idea if the former owner dry fired, but I doubt it. He shot one cylinder full and put it up for consignment. He wasn’t a fan of the noise or recoil, so I wonder why he bought it. Of course, he was a young man at the time.
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Post by bradshaw on Aug 17, 2021 20:33:15 GMT -5
The only pistols I dryfire are my Pardini SP-22 and my CZ 455, using drywall plugs as snap caps. They will load from the magazine, they work and are cheap. i have no idea if the former owner dry fired, but I doubt it. He shot one cylinder full and put it up for consignment. He wasn’t a fan of the noise or recoil, so I wonder why he bought it. Of course, he was a young man at the time. ***** A Freedom Arms firing pin can break in a cylinder of dry fires. It’s at the very opposite end of dry-fire durability from the Ruger. Don’t know whether a Ruger firing pin could be fitted to the FA spanner bushing, nor how well it would hold up. Previous owner may have inadvertently dry fired on an empty chamber, thinking it loaded. That mistake is easy to make. David Bradshaw |
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Post by tdbarton on Aug 17, 2021 20:35:53 GMT -5
Not gonna lie - if I’m spending that amount on a revolver it should be able to be dry-fired by my great grandkids.
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Post by lar4570 on Aug 17, 2021 20:56:51 GMT -5
Sounds like a great gap to be filled by some aftermarket machine shop.
I wonder what they are made of?
Maybe they need to be tempered some to take the brittleness out of it.
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Post by jordanthedoberman on Aug 17, 2021 21:41:59 GMT -5
I bought it used after it sat in a LGS display case for many moons. I figured for $1250, I would take a chance. I didn’t ask the ffl if folks had been snapping it, but I expected it was a gamble. I will get a nice action job and some new wood grips for it when FA installs the new replaceable firing pin, along with spare pins and springs. I do wonder what the problem is, that the folks who make this precision machine can’t figure out a way to make it not fail firing pins. As long as I can replace them, I don’t care. Might have t get one made out of Titanium or Inconel if they break a lot.
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Post by bigmuddy on Aug 18, 2021 5:23:53 GMT -5
I have never had a firing pin failure on a live round in any of my FA guns. I have broken one with a single dry fire before I knew better.
When I’m shooting my FA guns I load five rounds. When carrying/hunting I load four rounds and a snap cap to avoid accidentally dropping the hammer on the empty chamber.
I’ve always “guessed” that the FA firing pin failures were due to the extremely heavy mainspring.
Dan
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Post by x101airborne on Aug 18, 2021 7:10:12 GMT -5
My son and I went shooting turtles with my 83 454 Casull yesterday. Shooting down at a good angle it was much fun to see a turtle even in the water blown apart by the 300 grain slug being pushed by HS-6 to around 1350. We shot out to around 40 yards max and it was easy to tell when one of us miffed the shot. I havent yet found a load that my FA doesn't like (to my standards of 3 MOA).
When I bought mine, I called FA and they said the only snap caps they recommend are the ones with the spring under the plug for a primer. I dont remember the brand, but they are common and should be easy to find. Like others have stated, I dont understand why FA cant temper the firing pins to make them dry fire friendly, at least with good snap caps. We can dry fire Rugers all day long but one slip and we risk breaking a pin in the FA. Even with it's quirks, I wouldn't trade my FA for anything short of a brand new one ton Chevrolet pickup.
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Post by rjm52 on Aug 19, 2021 6:06:04 GMT -5
So far I have owned eleven FA revolvers and the only things to break so far have been a mainspring and a trigger return spring on a 97. I have two sets of .41 Magnum FA snap caps but rarely dryfire my guns.
I also load all the chambers in the cylinder when shooting or carrying...
When I was at FA in June I also bought extra firing pins and the proper spanner bits to remove the bushing.
As to Ruger vs. FA...besides the fit and finish much prefer the grip of both the 97 and 83 over ANY of the Ruger or Colt gripframes. Also the sights...that replaceable front blade should be the standard of the industry.
Bob
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Post by jordanthedoberman on Aug 19, 2021 6:28:28 GMT -5
rjm52-
i will be shipping my 83 to FA this week. Is the scanner bit you have one of the 1/4” bits that fit in the shaft of a multi-bit screwdriver? Does FA sell it?
My Firing pin has locked the cylinder up tight. The tolerance of the recoil plate is so small, that I can’t get a razor blade in to jiggle it around. If I can find my old feeler gauge set, I might have a chance.
By the time I get the removable pin, spares, flute the cylinder and have micarta grips made, add-in shipping and labor, I’ll have spent as much as I paid for the gun. Still a bargain, as I don’t think any of my Bullseye guns can match it for accuracy, other than my Pardini .22.
Quite a difference in power and effect.
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Post by bradshaw on Aug 19, 2021 8:30:37 GMT -5
rjm52- i will be shipping my 83 to FA this week. Is the spanner bit you have one of the 1/4” bits that fit in the shaft of a multi-bit screwdriver? Does FA sell it? My Firing pin has locked the cylinder up tight. The tolerance of the recoil plate is so small, that I can’t get a razor blade in to jiggle it around. If I can find my old feeler gauge set, I might have a chance. By the time I get the removable pin, spares, flute the cylinder and have micarta grips made, add-in shipping and labor, I’ll have spent as much as I paid for the gun. Still a bargain, as I don’t think any of my Bullseye guns can match it for accuracy, other than my Pardini .22. Quite a difference in power and effect. ***** Usually, when the firing pin breaks, the broken piece remains forward----protrudes through standing breech. As the dry-firing shooter attempts to cock the hammer, the firing pin catches the RIM COUNTERBORE (cylinder), to stop rotation. Jiggle revolver with muzzle raised, or drop a dowel down the barrel to push firing pin into standing breech. Or, the firing pin may fall into the chamber, allowing rotation. SpannerA spanner can be filed from a flat screwdriver. RemedyThe remedy, as shooters suggest, is a durable firing pin. Carry safetyFreedom Arms specifically warns the Model 83 is to be carried with an empty chamber under the hammer. David Bradshaw |
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Post by jordanthedoberman on Aug 19, 2021 10:19:31 GMT -5
Tried the dowel trick, even used a cleaning rod down the barrel with a hammer to tap at the primer face. No good. Off it goes to the mother ship.Sort of like buying a Ferrari, only to have a timing chain lose a link at idle. Result is the same.
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Post by bradshaw on Aug 19, 2021 11:09:19 GMT -5
Tried the dowel trick, even used a cleaning rod down the barrel with a hammer to tap at the primer face. No good. Off it goes to the mother ship.Sort of like buying a Ferrari, only to have a timing chain lose a link at idle. Result is the same. ***** After the dry fire, is possible you may have cocked the hammer hard, cramping the pin. Upon re-reading thread: a) you do not dry fire. b) hammer cannot be cocked enough to engage safety. c) stiff extraction, last 3 cases. d) bolt in stop notch indicates cylinder is indexed (not out-of-battery). On presented evidence, another possibilityThe cocking stroke should begin with cylinder indexed. In the event the revolver is loaded and then cocked----without indexing cylinder----it is possible to cock the hammer in such a fashion the cylinder doesn’t complete rotation to index. If so, misalignment causes firing pin to strike off-center. Bullet shaves on edge of forcing cone, wedging lead or jacket material between cylinder face and barrel face. Copper wedges much tighter than lead. The bullet may have aligned chamber-to-bore, but the shaving remains wedged between cylinder face and barrel face. This “indexing” shows bolt in notch after firing----not before. This can occur without breaking the firing pin. David Bradshaw |
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