Failure to go into battery every time

[kurusu]

Originally Posted by DonVoigt

Kurusu,
That is the nearest spot/point for gas to escape, for sure.

A portion of gas can escape around the gap between any style striker and the breech block; but not due to the presence of the fluting cuts - but due to the normal tolerance between the two parts.

The basic problem with the "old fashion" firing pin is that oil( if present) will fill that gap and act as a seal.

Originally Posted by DonVoigt

As I wrote, some cuts could be long enough/deep enough and could function that way.

Retract the pin all the way and see if you can see the flutes; most of the time one can't, but occasionally a groove does reach that point.

You don't really need to see the flutes. There are to diameters in a fluted firing pin. the flute go all the way to the "narrow" portion.

Originally Posted by DonVoigt

My basic point is that gas relief is not the primary reason or intended purpose for the flutes-which is to provide a place for grease/oil/debris etc- and keep the striker functioning; if they relieve gas it is serendipity at work. JMHO.

I really do not know what was the primary reason. But I know it works.