Breech block not closing

Olle · 05-10-2012, 11:17 AM

I have been wrong before, but I strongly believe it's the extractor. The toggle snaps shut and with good force when you work it dry (with or without the magazine inserted), so I can't imagine that anything is binding. You'll only see the problem when you add a cartridge to the equation.

The mainspring is in good order, and it has already moved the slide extension to its forward position when the toggle stops. In other words, it happens right as the firing pin is getting cocked. The toggle spring applies very little force at that point, so that's why I assume that most of the closing action (i.e for the last 1/4"-1/8" or so) is accomplished by inertia. Anything that drags or binds at that point can easily cause it to stop, as there's little spring force left to help it forward.

I also noticed that the primers had unusually deep dents, so another theory is that the firing pin spring is too strong. I'll check the extractor first though, it's easy enough to do.

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05-10-2012, 11:17 AM	#6
Olle User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,149 Thanks: 159 Thanked 664 Times in 318 Posts	I have been wrong before, but I strongly believe it's the extractor. The toggle snaps shut and with good force when you work it dry (with or without the magazine inserted), so I can't imagine that anything is binding. You'll only see the problem when you add a cartridge to the equation. The mainspring is in good order, and it has already moved the slide extension to its forward position when the toggle stops. In other words, it happens right as the firing pin is getting cocked. The toggle spring applies very little force at that point, so that's why I assume that most of the closing action (i.e for the last 1/4"-1/8" or so) is accomplished by inertia. Anything that drags or binds at that point can easily cause it to stop, as there's little spring force left to help it forward. I also noticed that the primers had unusually deep dents, so another theory is that the firing pin spring is too strong. I'll check the extractor first though, it's easy enough to do.