G36 light primer strikes (after cleaning firing pin area)

Badger56 · 05-12-2013, 07:37

Folks:

My new G36 just doesn't want to cooperate. The first 100 rounds through it produced about 25 light strikes. Followed advice on cleaning the firing pin and channel. It wasn't dirty but there was a lot of lube in there. Cleaned everything out with brake cleaner and reassembled.

Still a few light hits. I use Winchester primers in my reloads and have never had an issue like this before, be it in the wife's G21 or any of our 1911 colts.

Any advice will be appreciated

***Fire_Medic*** · 05-12-2013, 07:39

1) Did you buy the gun new or used? Maybe too much of an assumption here but if there was too much oil in there I would assume it was used?

2) You should NOT spray brake cleaner inside the firing pin channel, the channel liner can get eaten up by harsh chemicals.

3) If the gun is used, were any of the springs changed from factory specification?

FM

Badger56 · 05-12-2013, 07:42

I bought it new, disassembled/cleaned it before firing.My fault for the extra lube, thought I'd got any excess out.

***Fire_Medic*** · 05-12-2013, 07:48

The next step "I" would take is to shoot some factory ammo and see if you have the same issues.

Please understand, I am not putting down your loads or your ability to load, I reload myself as well. With my latest batch of Winchester LPP I have had the same issue here and there, not that many in 100, but now this makes me wonder if there is a QC issue going on @ Winchester with their primers.

A buddy of mine has the Dillon automatic primer tube fillers, and the Winchester brand primers have been getting stuck in the tube as well. None of the other primers have done this (i.e.: Wolf, CCI, Federal, etc).

I think this will narrow down further whether or not it's an issue with the ammo or the gun.

FM

Jim S. · 05-12-2013, 07:49

Some brake cleaners are harmful to plastics.
Try to look into the firing pin channel and see if the liner is damaged.
Perhaps try to feel how the firing pin feels as it slides forward in the channel.
The liner is not hard to change and it is pretty cheap to replace.
I wouldn't hesitate to replace it if it is questionable.
But the first thing I would do is try some different ammo and see if it still has some light strikes.

Badger56 · 05-12-2013, 08:06

[QUOTE=Fire_Medic;20285435]The next step "I" would take is to shoot some factory ammo and see if you have the same issues.

Please understand, I am not putting down your loads or your ability to load, I reload myself as well. With my latest batch of Winchester LPP I have had the same issue here and there, not that many in 100, but now this makes me wonder if there is a QC issue going on @ Winchester with their primers.

A buddy of mine has the Dillon automatic primer tube fillers, and the Winchester brand primers have been getting stuck in the tube as well. None of the other primers have done this (i.e.: Wolf, CCI, Federal, etc).

I think this will narrow down further whether or not it's an issue with the ammo or the gun.

I, too have had issues with the latest batch of Win LPP in the tube on my Square Deal B. Will try some GI ball factory loads (= $$$ out the barrel. Will also try the light struck loads in my Gold Cup. Didn't save the first ones, was too embarassed, pitched them in the misfire bucket and exited the range quickly

Thanks for the advice!

***Fire_Medic*** · 05-12-2013, 09:59

Badger-

No sweat keep us posted, I really think it's an ammo related issue, but we shall see.

FM

SJ 40 · 05-12-2013, 10:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fire_Medic

The next step "I" would take is to shoot some factory ammo and see if you have the same issues.

Please understand, I am not putting down your loads or your ability to load, I reload myself as well. With my latest batch of Winchester LPP I have had the same issue here and there, not that many in 100, but now this makes me wonder if there is a QC issue going on @ Winchester with their primers.

A buddy of mine has the Dillon automatic primer tube fillers, and the Winchester brand primers have been getting stuck in the tube as well. None of the other primers have done this (i.e.: Wolf, CCI, Federal, etc).

I think this will narrow down further whether or not it's an issue with the ammo or the gun.

FM

My first suspect would be the winchester primers,try some factory loads and see what the results are.
SJ 40

todd_g · 05-12-2013, 11:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by SJ 40

My first suspect would be the winchester primers,try some factory loads and see what the results are.
SJ 40

+1 what SJ 40 said, I had to switch to federal primers, I was getting all kinds of light strikes with my Glocks and Keltec, when I shoot factory ammo all is good. I have not had any issues since I switch to federal on my reloads on 9mm and 40 s&w. Winchesters LP work just fine on my G29 10mm loads. and G30 45 loads.

Glock 23 Nutter · 05-12-2013, 11:15

Both mine and my shootin' buddy's G36 almost punch through the primer...

Have to think that you have gummed up the firing-pin (striker) channel.

Detail strip and replace the plastic sleeve if it's FU'ed.

And Read Your Manual...

Nutter

lbbf · 05-12-2013, 11:33

Be sure you have the primers seated all the the way in as well. If not the first hit on the primer seats it and the second attempt fires it.

SJ 40 · 05-12-2013, 11:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by todd_g

+1 what SJ 40 said, I had to switch to federal primers, I was getting all kinds of light strikes with my Glocks and Keltec, when I shoot factory ammo all is good. I have not had any issues since I switch to federal on my reloads on 9mm and 40 s&w. Winchesters LP work just fine on my G29 10mm loads. and G30 45 loads.

My outlook at primers is a gun shop could have 500,000 winchester primers,only in stock at a ridicules 15.00 a K and they are still Out of Primers. SJ 40