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LCR light strikes

4K views 7 replies 6 participants last post by  abarrena 
#1 ·
Do you have a theory about the light strikes?
I have never experienced that previously with a revolver.
I figured I'd start a new thread, as the one this was asked in is up to 7 pages, some of it chucklehead stuff.

Abarrena, I was reading a similar post on another forum and it seemed to have some good suggestions. They were about primer piercing, but I'd think there are some overlapping conditions between that and light strikes:

The pierced primer conundrum

I also wonder, though this is total speculation... A rimmed cartridge uses the rim to determine the headspace. It can only be off so much, though, or it would either not exist or collapse from being so thin. Of course it being too thick can lock up a gun, but you usually notice that just trying to close the cylinder.

On a 9mm, the entire length of the case is a factor in the headspace. I tend to think there can be more variability there than in a rim. Then you add in that a revolver has a cylinder that moves forward/back. A semi-auto does not have a problem with the barrel moving forward/back relative to the slide. It may just be that a revolver that fires rimless cartridges is a bit more susceptible to this than one that fires a rimmed cartridge?

A total guess, though. I have no facts to back it up.
 
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#2 ·
Thanks for posting on the issue.
I suspect if it were a common occurrence there would have been responses to your thread.
I may have had a light strike on Sunday at the training but the circumstances didn't allow me to examine the round, so I can't say for certain.
 
#8 ·
I posted the above back in January 2015.
Since that time I have over 2,800+ rounds through my LCR9 and have experienced zero light strikes.
I'm wondering if it was the ammo, or some obstruction from the factory in the firing pin path.
I use Hoppe's #9 on the firing pin channel, but not gun oil.
I am always careful to blow out the firing pin hole with compressed air at the end of each cleaning.
If it were a recurring problem there would have been additional posts on the issue.
Love my LCR9
 
#4 ·
Zombie thread! Came across this while searching for information on why my 9mm LCR was occasionally having light primer strikes. I've put 305 rounds through the revolver since 3/27/16 and have been noticing light primer strikes that fail to fire the round every time I've taken the gun out.

First time out was 100rds of Speer Lawman 124gr. Had one light strike, tried to shoot the round multiple times. Eventually loaded the round in question into my Glock 19, fired without a hitch.

Next outing was 15 Hornady XTP 124gr +P. No issues. Also 50 124gr FMJ handloads, using silver CCI primers. Had another light strike that the G19 shot without issue.

Followed by 40rds of 124gr FMJ handloads, this time brass Fiocchi primers. Also had another light strike. G19 fired this round first try after multiple failed attempt from the LCR.

Today was 100rds of 124gr FMJ handloads, all Fiocchi brass primers. 2 light strikes that the Glock fired without a hitch.

Listed above are just the rounds that the LCR couldn't ignite. There have been more rounds where I've had to strike it multiple times with the LCR to get it to finally touch off.

I've been using moon clips every time, except for the cylinder or two I tried out just to see how well the LCR works without them. It worked fine. No light strikes from shooting without clips. I read the manual when I first bought the LCR and didn't see anything that said to take the little revolver apart to clean it like it says for the GP100 or SP101. If I remember correctly it just said to oil the pivot at 1000 rounds. I clean my guns after shooting, so it hasn't been sitting around accumulating carbon buildup.

Has anybody had a similar experience to this? I really like this little gun, but don't feel that comfortable with it for a carry gun yet. Planning on oiling the pivot of the LCR. I'll look into doing more of a detail strip, but not as familiar with the process compared to the steel Ruger revolvers.

Is this worth contacting Ruger about yet, or is there something else I should look into? Thanks!
 
#7 ·
I understand your logic, and not saying my handloads are unable to be at fault. But it happens to me with factory ammo as well. I simply shoot more of the 124gr FMJ over 5.0gr CFE I load. I had the same issue with factory Speer Lawman my first day out. Plus the Glock 19 I put the 'failed' rounds in always fires it first try, no issues. My 9mm LCR seems to be the culprit, not the primers or ammo. I'll try more factory ammo, just looking for a cause or possible fix.

One thing you need to include in the 9mm moon clip revolver is the moon clip interface.

The moon clip adds some compliancy & springiness to the chambered rounds so that in itself reduces some of the firing pin energy. If a moon clip is bent (even a little) that REALLY adds springiness to the round as the firing pin strikes the primer.
This makes a lot of sense. All of my GP100s and SP101 have never had a hiccup, but they're all in .357 with a rimmed cartridge. I'll check carefully to make sure all 12 clips are perfectly flat. Thanks!
 
#6 ·
I also wonder, though this is total speculation... A rimmed cartridge uses the rim to determine the headspace. It can only be off so much, though, or it would either not exist or collapse from being so thin. Of course it being too thick can lock up a gun, but you usually notice that just trying to close the cylinder.

On a 9mm, the entire length of the case is a factor in the headspace. I tend to think there can be more variability there than in a rim. Then you add in that a revolver has a cylinder that moves forward/back. A semi-auto does not have a problem with the barrel moving forward/back relative to the slide. It may just be that a revolver that fires rimless cartridges is a bit more susceptible to this than one that fires a rimmed cartridge?
One thing you need to include in the 9mm moon clip revolver is the moon clip interface.

The moon clip adds some compliancy & springiness to the chambered rounds so that in itself reduces some of the firing pin energy. If a moon clip is bent (even a little) that REALLY adds springiness to the round as the firing pin strikes the primer.

My LCR 9mm isn't nearly as bad as my SP 101 9mm as the SP 101 has the chambers machined very deep (an unsupported 9x19 won't touch the front of chamber & a 9x21 will actually fit in the chamber.
 
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