#2 Pencil test = 9mm?

saxman · 02-16-2008, 09:29 PM

Another 'pencil test' is to drop a pencil down the barrel eraser-first, then pull the trigger. If the pencil jumps out of the gun, the firing pin is working. This works great on a .45, but on a 9mm with a smaller 'bolt' face, the extractor gets in the way and the firing pin can't reach the eraser. You have to use a smaller wood dowel.
The best test for a .30 cal. Luger is, if you can't tell by just looking, carry a .30-06 bullet and see if it drops into the muzzle - if it does, it's a 9mm.

02-16-2008, 09:29 PM	#6
saxman User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 301 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Another 'pencil test' is to drop a pencil down the barrel eraser-first, then pull the trigger. If the pencil jumps out of the gun, the firing pin is working. This works great on a .45, but on a 9mm with a smaller 'bolt' face, the extractor gets in the way and the firing pin can't reach the eraser. You have to use a smaller wood dowel. The best test for a .30 cal. Luger is, if you can't tell by just looking, carry a .30-06 bullet and see if it drops into the muzzle - if it does, it's a 9mm. __________________ You can lead 'em to the water, but you can't make 'em drink.