Hi, I bought this very nice 25-20SS Low Wall.  But the firing pin doesn't seem to be retracting, it's just "loose" and will flop back and forth as you tilt the muzzle.

I've been using unprimed brass to test the chamber/brass fit. 

When the hammer is down, and I try the lever, it's stuck closed.  The pin is obviously inserted in the empty primer pocket at that point, and the block cannot move until I cock the hammer.   

If the hammer is back (half or full), again the lever will be stuck IF the primer has moved forward into the primer pocket.  I have to lift the muzzle to get the firing pin to drop backwards, then the lever opens fine.   

When I remove brass have the hammer down in fired position and cock the lever, I see the block start to drop about 2mm before the hammer moves at all.  In other words, if the firing pin was in the primer dent, I don't see how the block would lower.  There is no movement of the firing pin back that I see, unless it's as the lever continues down.  But at that point, the gun would either be stuck, pin broken, or pin just naturally moves back a tad.

Is the action missing something? I really want to shoot this today!

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I'd prefer to know what is going on before I do a test firing.  The low wall has a firing pin retractor.  It's not retracting.  No use risking the firing pin just to see if it will break or work.

Will do.  I plan on disassembly this afternoon.  I see it has a nub that is supposed to point rearward.  And be at the top of the two pin holes.

This may help;

I believe firing on an unprimed case will not break a firing pin any more than firing on an empty chamber (dry firing).  But OPENING the block is a different matter.  I think we're all agreeing. 

A close up of the finish just for fun:

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Why not try a primed case? I never dry fire any firearm, even modern guns it would not harm.

cuslog wrote on Mar 23^rd, 2021 at 2:23pm:


Ah HA!  I think you got it!  I was looking at the block/lever/hammer assembly, and I can see the "nub" of the link is in the correct spot.  But WAIT!  there is no protuberance on the bottom of the firing pin. it's just round in back.  So the linkage cannot move it back!  

Thanks all.  I have a proper firing pin on order.   

Update: I test fired it with 4 rounds.  Seems very accurate just plinking and not messing with sight settings.  Nice fast feeling recoil and time to target.