Punctured Primer

[Leen]

Hello,

Last week I have fired 50 rounds of magtech 115 grain ammo trough my p08. It lookes like the firing pin has slammed trough the primer leaving a black hole.

Is this something to worry about?

[lugerholsterrepair]

I would suspect the ammunition as being too powerful. Is the primer flattened?

[mrerick]

Depending on which era Luger you have, the blowback through a primer perforation could blow out the rear of the breech block where the firing pin retainer locks in. Check that for damage. The problem could be a headspace issue. Either where the chamber ledge fits up against the cartridge front edge, or through some problem in the toggle train. I wouldn't shoot a pistol that does this until the cause is established. Marc

[lugerholsterrepair]

If this happened on one cartridge out of 50.. again..I wouldn't look immediately at the pistol being faulty.
Marc is correct in that there could now be damage caused by it particularly if you are using a WW1 vintage Luger. If it is a Mauser with the fluted firing pin ..not so much. More information about the pistol and cartridge is needed.

[Leen]

Thanks for your replies. The primer is not frattened, it just seems that the firing pin has perforated the primer.

The pistol is an byf 41 Mauser pistol. Not all of the primers are perforated but more like 8 or 10 out of 50 rounds.

The ammo I was using was Magtech 115 grains HPT.

[DavidJayUden]

It might help to photo the striker firing pin assembly. I'm curious if it has the usual shape or might be too pointed.
Try a different brand of ammo. Can't hurt.
dju

[lugerholsterrepair]

One is one thing..8 or 10 is another. Pierced primers are a serious issue. I would take a close look at all aspects of the barrel and bolt..firing pin etc. Look for any brass shaving obstructing the bore/chamber area..clean this well..scrub the chamber with a bore brush. I don't believe your pistol has the stepped chamber..it may be tapered. Disasemble the bolt..push the firing pin forward in the pin hole and see how far it protrudes. Inspect the shoulders of the pin. Look at your FP spring too.

The first thought is overpowered ammunition when you get pierced primers. That's why I asked about flattening. Flattening is an indication of too much cup pressure.

It's a matter of elimination until you decide if it's caused by ammo or the pistol. If you fire some Winchester White box and get a pierced primer..it's back to the pistol and as Marc indicated, could be a headspace problem. I would want to eliminate ammo after a close inspection of the toggle train.

[mrerick]

I've been assuming a 9mm Luger pistol, which your 41 byf should be. All 9mm Luger headspaces on the mouth of the cartridge. The stepped chamber was a DWM innovation to further seal the chamber during firing. It would be good to photograph how far the cartridges are protruding from the barrel breech. Be careful to remove the toggle train if you do this with a live cartridge, and treat it as a loaded gun.

Thanks to the fluted firing pin that should be in this pistol, you probably didn't have breech block damage.

There is definitely something wrong if you are piercing this high a percentage of primers.

If this is not an all matching gun, be aware that the wrong size parts may have been installed by someone (there were two breech / receiver lengths).

Follow Jerry's advice, and get a good look at things first...

Marc

[Leen]

I have recently fired 100 Lapua 9mm round trough the p08, and back then no problems occured.

The firing pin that`s in my gun in an WW1 tipe, could this couse the problem? I do have a new WW2 firing pin, which I give a try.

When I have the time I`ll make some photo`s

[Sieger]

Originally Posted by Leen

I have recently fired 100 Lapua 9mm round trough the p08, and back then no problems occured.

The firing pin that`s in my gun in an WW1 tipe, could this couse the problem? I do have a new WW2 firing pin, which I give a try.

When I have the time I`ll make some photo`s

Hi:

It sounds like you have a mis-matched shooter there.

Is the tip of your firing pin smooth? If not, you may want to spend a few seconds with some very fine paper and smooth it a bit (don't remove a lot of material).

The comments are correct, the gas blowing out of the primer is very dangerous to the health of your Luger.

Take care of this problem immediately!!!


Sieger

[JD]

My Finnish luger will do this with some old S&B ammo that I have. Just a very tiny pinhole in the center of the firing pin indent. Just enough to turn the indent black, but not enough to leak any significant amount of gas into the toggle. Inspecting the firing pin assembly showed minimal powder residue and no damage. Switching to other types of ammo and the problem goes away...

There are no signs of high pressure with the S&B ammo, and actually it seems to be very low pressure with a chronographed velocity of no more than 1000 fps with the 115 grain bullet, and sometimes not quite enough Omph to completely cycle the action...

[Leen]

JD I have the same problem. I switched from Lapua ammo to Magtech and then the problems started. I have some S&B ammo and Geco in my safe. So I`ll try the pistol with that this week.

I`ll check every case that comes out of it.

Maby magtech uses verry thin primers.

[sheepherder]

This thread reminds me of an old James Bond book I read back in the 60's. Ian Fleming was touted as being firearms-proficient, but he had James as modifying his .25 Beretta by filing the firing pin to a point...

It may be a wild shot (sorry about the pun), but check your firing pin against a good one and make sure the end is rounded and not a pin-point...Some ignorant Bond fan may have 'improved' it...

[Ron Smith]

Magtech ammo is too hot for a Luger. Use S&B or Winchester white box.

[Leen]

I have tested the ammo, by adding some tape on the back
of the receiver. The toggle did nog damage the tape, so
the ammo should be ok.

[nukem556]

Almost certainly the firing pin....and once you've had a pierced primer it's likely you'll have more as the escaping gases flame cut the pin tip into a rough jagged shape...as others have said, try to reprofile and smooth the tip.

[lugerholsterrepair]

I switched from Lapua ammo to Magtech and then the problems started..Does that tell you something?

I have recently fired 100 Lapua 9mm round trough the p08, and back then no problems occured.