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Firing Pin Fall

GAnderson

Gold $$ Contributor
I have some questions on firing pin fall on a Nesika bolt. The rifle in question does not have reliable primer ignition and the action was sent to a reliable company for evaluation. Everything checked out with the exception of the measured firing pin fall...the problem was that the firing pin fall measured .216 and .250-.260 should be the range for reliable ignition. This company declined to try any kind of fix due to not having the time or resources to do any kind of fix. It was indicated that if the firing pin fall was increased to .250 that the firing pin then would not be captured. My questions are 1) how is firing pin fall increased? 2) could the bolt be bushed enough to keep the firing pin captured if the fall was increased? and 3)who could do this fix?
The bolt is from a Nesika Model C 6ppc and is a coned bolt.

Thanks,

Gene
 
Gene, this was a very common issue with those actions. They also tended to have lighter springs than what was the norm.

The late Stan Ware fixed a few of them, using a 't' shaped insert that threaded into the bolt face to guide the pin after the pin travel had been corrected. The insert was LocTite'd in place, then machined flat to the original bolt face.

Jim Borden fixed a lot of them and I remember Jim saying his fix was along the same lines. If you click on the 'Articles' tab on Jim's home page, you can see an article he wrote about bushing the 700's bolt face for an overview of this part of the process. Obviously, the modifications to increase the pin fall are another piece of the puzzle.

If I had one here, I'd give Jim a call and see if he could do it.

https://bordenrifles.com/

Alex Wheeler also understands ignition very well, and is a talented machinist that may be able to help.

https://www.wheeleraccuracy.com/

I know there are others as well but these two come to mind right away.

Good shootin'. -Al
 
First thing I would consider is a new firing pin spring, if you have not already done that.

Paul
Firing pin spring was reported to be good...protrusion was .057 as well. It might warrant replacing the spring though just to absolutely rule that out.

Gene
 
Gene, this was a very common issue with those actions. They also tended to have lighter springs than what was the norm.

The late Stan Ware fixed a few of them, using a 't' shaped insert that threaded into the bolt face to guide the pin after the pin travel had been corrected. The insert was LocTite'd in place, then machined flat to the original bolt face.

Jim Borden fixed a lot of them and I remember Jim saying his fix was along the same lines. If you click on the 'Articles' tab on Jim's home page, you can see an article he wrote about bushing the 700's bolt face for an overview of this part of the process. Obviously, the modifications to increase the pin fall are another piece of the puzzle.

If I had one here, I'd give Jim a call and see if he could do it.

https://bordenrifles.com/

Alex Wheeler also understands ignition very well, and is a talented machinist that may be able to help.

https://www.wheeleraccuracy.com/

I know there are others as well but these two come to mind right away.

Good shootin'. -Al
Sending you a PM Al
 
I agree with Alex. You have other issues. One test that I have read that Tony Boyer has used it to assemble the bolt without the spring, and with pressure on the shroud with your thumb pushing up, down and from each side tilt the bolt so that it is nose up and then nose down to see if the firing pin/ cocking piece assembly falls back and forth freely, without binding in the shroud. My Viper action came with .200 fall, and never had a failure to fire with a 19# spring. Later Jerry advised me to reverse the trigger bracket, which produced a minor amount of cock on close and in creased the fall to .220 with the trigger I was using at the time. Although I have left it that way, I did not see any difference on the paper. I seat my primers so that they are firmly bottomed. Typically, they are 205s, and I manage shoulder bump to .001 or a little less. I did have to stone off a fire cut on the pin tip one time which reduced the protrusion to .050, but since the primer stops the pin when firing, and less than that is required there is no issue, except that it increased the effective fall by .005. One thing that probably affects my situation is that the pin tip is .062 which gives higher unit loading with a given pin energy.
 
I was able to get a new spring...and I am glad to report that it seems to be working properly now. In the beginning I felt like it could be the spring but did not have a spring available, so after conversing with the place I sent it to, they indicated it could be several things, so I sent it in and was told everything was fine except the firing pin fall was a little on the short side.
After digging around I found a bag of 4 springs from Dakota arms and one of the springs matched the firing pin spring...I installed it and this seems to have taken care of the problem. I tried everything I could to get it to misfire and it went bang every time. I shot 32 rounds without issue and before 3 consecutive shots was the best it would do. Thanks to all for the responses...sure do appreciate it very much.
Does anyone know where a person could get another spring for a Nesika Model C action? It would be nice to have another one.

Thanks,
Gene
 
WOLFF GUNSPRINGS

phoneOrder Toll Free: 800-545-0077
Precision springs for firearms
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WOLFF GUNSPRINGS

phoneOrder Toll Free: 800-545-0077
Precision springs for firearms
make sure your gun is... Powered by Wolff!
I do not see Nesika listed in their inventory and under general purpose springs for rifles they do not list firing pin springs. Maybe I am not seeing everything, so could you provide a link to where you found the firing pin spring for a Nesika Model C? Thanks, appreciate it.

Gene
 
Gene maybe give Defiance a call.and ask them to give Glenn a message where or whos spring to use, or Chad Dixon at LRI hes suppose to be pretty knowledgeable on the Neisikas.
Wolff maybe able to match length and dia of your new one too.
 
Last edited:
Gene maybe give Defiance a call.and ask them to give Glenn a message where or whos spring to use, or Chad Dixon at LRI hes suppose to be pretty knowledgeable on the Neisikas.
Wolff maybe able to match length and dia of your new one too.
Thanks Sherm. I had heard that maybe Glenn was involved with Defiance, but wasn't sure...I will reach out to them and see what they can come up with. Will also check with Chad. Thanks for the information. Appreciate it very much.

Gene
 

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