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Ignition problem with Stevens 44 (Read 3401 times)

boho Full Member Offline Posts: 207 Location: NY New York Joined: Feb 6^th, 2012	Ignition problem with Stevens 44 Nov 25^th, 2016 at 11:22am	Print Post
	I have a original Stevens 44 in the original factory chambering of 32-40. It's just to plink and light target work as it has a short barrel and not taped for a scope. I made up some hand loads by re-sizing 38-55 brass. I also have a original Ideal #6 in 32-40 loading tool that is still in the box and hardly ever used. It cast a very nice 160grn bullet. The bullet falls out when you open it. Very sweet. Except it gets very hot after a while. Too hot to handle. I used 13 grains of 4227 and Rem 9 1/2 large rifle primer. Once I got on paper and used to the iron sights it did very well making some one hole groups at 100yds. There were some rounds that did not go off. The primer strike looked good to me, made a nice dent. It is hitting off center more than I would like. Some round would fire with another try and some would not. Should I have used the Rem 2 1/2 large pistol primers instead? Are the 9 1/2 considered a "hard "primer? I also ordered a new main spring from Wisner's for it. The new one looks a little different from what it had in it. I will try that along with the large pistol primers.


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Mick B Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1007 Location: 19 Ian Nicol St watson ACT aus Joined: Apr 11^th, 2013	Re: Ignition problem with Stevens 44 Reply #1 - Nov 25^th, 2016 at 5:54pm	Print Post
	BoHo I have had a similar problem with my CPA Stevens 44.5 when using Federal 155 L/M pistol primers. The primers were showing what looked like a solid firing pin hit, but often required a second strike to fire. As you probably know pistol primers are a few thou shorter than rifle primers, in my case the problem was solved by seating the primers through a piece of paper which set them further out, this solved the problem. This may, or may not work in your particular rifle, but costs nothing to try and may work for you as it did for me. Mike.


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oneatatime Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 4487 Location: Rocky Mountains Joined: Oct 30^th, 2011	Re: Ignition problem with Stevens 44 Reply #2 - Nov 25^th, 2016 at 7:06pm	Print Post
	Mike, I assume you also tried checking/increasing the mainspring tension. That little set screw can gradually work its way out.


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Mick B Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1007 Location: 19 Ian Nicol St watson ACT aus Joined: Apr 11^th, 2013	Re: Ignition problem with Stevens 44 Reply #3 - Nov 26^th, 2016 at 4:52pm	Print Post
	I did check the mainspring tension and it was OK, actually when it does go out of adjustment it is quite noticeable as the hammer gets much easier to cock and a little loose feeling at the start of its travel. I also thought that perhaps the firing pin may have become a little shorter from wear so I ordered a new one from CPA. Upon measuring the new one it turned out to be exactly the same length as mine, guess I should have measured it first and sent the measurement to Gail for comparison. Anyway now I have a spare firing pin, with Murphy's Law being what it is I will probably never ever break a firing pin. This erratic ignition problem I experienced only happened when using pistol primers, never with large rifle primers. Mike.


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John Boy Ex Member	Re: Ignition problem with Stevens 44 Reply #4 - Nov 26^th, 2016 at 5:57pm	Print Post
	Quote: This erratic ignition problem I experienced only happened when using pistol primers, never with large rifle primers. That's because LR are taller than LP's .. Shim the main spring and use Federal or Remington 2/12 LP primers. You should be back in business


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calledflyer Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 3990 Joined: Mar 9^th, 2015	Re: Ignition problem with Stevens 44 Reply #5 - Nov 26^th, 2016 at 9:08pm	Print Post
	Don't know much about Stevens rifles, but a fellow told me one thing that happens with excess headspace is off center primer hits. Worn pivots or something maybe in your rifle? Even the shallow pistol primer itself adds to headspace as far as the pin strike is concerned. Just a guess on my part- something to look at. Hope ya get it all sorted out, though.


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Larry D Full Member Offline Posts: 164 Location: Ventura ca. Joined: Jan 12^th, 2013	Re: Ignition problem with Stevens 44 Reply #6 - Nov 30^th, 2016 at 7:43pm	Print Post
	I have been going through same problem with a 30BR rifle I built. The action is a 3 lug bolt action I built. It would not fire Remington small rifle primers but it would federal. Trouble was it would blow the center out of the federal. Fixed it with a tighter fitting firing pin and a wolf hevey duty main spring for a Remington 40 x. So poor egnition due to lack spring pressure and primer thickness. Hope this helps Larry


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