Light Primer Strikes with my Model 1917

[Garand]

I have been getting a large number of light primer strikes/misfires with my Eddystone Model of 1917. I have changed mainsprings twice (a 18 lb & 20 lb spring from Wolff Gunsprings). I have gotten 2 "new" Remington strikers from Sarco. I have cleaned the inside the bolt body, still I get light primer strikes not on only my reloads using both Remington & Winchester primers, but surplus Greek Ball Ammo. The only thing so far that has been reliable is Federal Classic ammunition, and that's getting expensive.

When the bolt is forward in the rifle, the action cocked, I have approximately .50" of the cocking piece is showing. Is this normal or should more of the cocking piece be showing?
Any help would be appreciated as I have no idea where to go from here.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Hey Pal...good to see you at last...it's not the cocking piece we need to hear about, what's your firing pin protrusion? That's what the problem sounds to be.

[Garand]

No idea how to measure it. Do you have suggestions? Also lunch Monday the 31st or Tuesday 1st Nov? I fly into Vic this Friday.

Lawrence

[browningautorifle]

Tues the 1st...but you'll be here the 28th to hide as you said...right? Gunshow 29/30th, be there...

You use your dial caliper and you can get a good idea with the tail of it. You remove the bolt, fire it and check protrusion...I'm sure that's the problem. You have Wolfe mainsprings, there isn't anything harsher than them. I doubt it's a spring issue. I think .055 is acceptable.

---------- Post added at 04:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:02 PM ----------

Here's something from elsewhere but it sounds about right...

"For the 1917 .060 is ballpark. They used a striker protrusion gauge with .050 on one end and .075 on the other. With the pin in firing position the .050 should not pass over it and the .075 should.... meaning between .051 and .075."

[Garand]

Looks like a primer protrusion of 0.65". This is with a 20 lb spring and the original striker. I'll pass on the show, priorities have recently changed, lunch on the 1st.

[browningautorifle]

Roger that, I suggest loading using Federal Lge Rifle primers then, forget about buying the expensive stuff. They have a thinner cup and that's why they go bang. How's the headspace on this one?

[Garand]

Don't have the gauges to check the head space.

[browningautorifle]

I suspect a modicum of excess HS would also contribute to a failure to fire...except with the softer Federal primers.

[mike1967]

Fully agree with BAR, i had a minty Remington that some idiot had shaved a sliver off the bolt face, it was well done so as not to be noticeable at first sight. I had to swap out the bolt in the end after a disastrous visit to the range. Thing that always baffled me is why was it done in the first place!

I suspect a modicum of excess HS would also contribute to a failure to fire...except with the softer Federal primers.

[browningautorifle]

some idiot had shaved a sliver off the bolt face

I'll bet it was slightly pitted. He probably never intended to shoot it and couldn't have imagine anyone else shooting such a perfect example...with a shiny bolt face...proving it had never been shot before...