[lonyaeger]

I've had this rifle for about a year now. Out of every ten-round magazine, I have at least one FTF. The firing pin impression LOOKS to be about as deep on a misfire as on a good one, but it's hard to tell. This happens pretty much across the board with the three brands of ammo I've tried: Hornady, Winchester, and CCI.

Anyone have any ideas?

 

[cpttango30]

Does it happen with the same round all the time? Meaning it is the last round in the mag or the 3rd round in the mag ect....

You would think that will all the billions of rounds of rimfire ammo made and shot every year they could prefect the manufacturing process a little more.

Might also want to take a pair of calipers and measure the rim thickness on the misfires vs the ones that fire. I would measure before and after and see if their are any difference.

 

[lonyaeger]

Now that you mention, I don't think it's the same order every time, it's kind of random. I'll try measuring......what exactly do you think I need to measure?

Thanks, man!

 

[Sniper03]

Lon,

I have heard of this before somewhere on the Web. I think it was on one of the center-fire forums. If I remember in one case the gun had functioned flawlessly for a long period of time. Then he started having the problem. In this case he did an exceptional cleaning on the bolt and everywhere. I mean a white glove. He stated that the Browning has very good tolerance and anything could cause a problem if there was anywhere there was a buildup of materials. One other incident the guy found what looked like a worn or chipped firing pin and advised he though it was metallurgicaly defective from the factory. Another stated that his had a head space issue and it would fire sporadically from the time he got it our of the box. I believe it was once out of ten rounds. I certainly do not know the answer but just wanted to share the above with you. You stated it wasn't the magazine so that limits it to some of the above since you have used other ammunition. The one guy who had the head space problem switched ammunition like you have. His buddy had another 17HMR and all the ammunition he had worked fine in it.

03

 

[cpttango30]

I would just measure the rim thickness to see if there is any out of the ordinary difference between the ones that fired and the ones that didn't fire.

 

[Sniper03]

Capt.

I agree with that! But man if that rifle is that sensitive if the rounds would fire in another 17HMR. I think it would find a new home in short order. That since he stated that it did not seem to matter what ammunition it is. That makes me believe the head space may be off some! What do you think? I have a little 917-V Marlin and shot several brands of ammunition with zero failures. If it is newer I would send it back to a Browning repair shop.

03

 

[lonyaeger]

Lon,

I have heard of this before somewhere on the Web. I think it was on one of the center-fire forums. If I remember in one case the gun had functioned flawlessly for a long period of time. Then he started having the problem. In this case he did an exceptional cleaning on the bolt and everywhere. I mean a white glove. He stated that the Browning has very good tolerance and anything could cause a problem if there was anywhere there was a buildup of materials. One other incident the guy found what looked like a worn or chipped firing pin and advised he though it was metallurgicaly defective from the factory. Another stated that his had a head space issue and it would fire sporadically from the time he got it our of the box. I believe it was once out of ten rounds. I certainly do not know the answer but just wanted to share the above with you. You stated it wasn't the magazine so that limits it to some of the above since you have used other ammunition. The one guy who had the head space problem switched ammunition like you have. His buddy had another 17HMR and all the ammunition he had worked fine in it.

03

Thanks, I'll definitely check that out. But it's been doing it since the gun was brand-new and still continues. I've finally gotten pi$$ed off enough to do something about it, cause you don't want that to happen when you're shooting at critters. Not as big a deal when your shooting at paper! Thanks.

 

[lonyaeger]

I would just measure the rim thickness to see if there is any out of the ordinary difference between the ones that fired and the ones that didn't fire.

I'll start measuring, thanks again Tango.

 

[cpttango30]

No problem Lon let us know what happens.

 

[c3shooter]

Possibles- (You are not holding the gun close enuff to the computer for me to tell, and the crystal ball is in the shop for an oil change)

1. Crud/ lack of lube on FP
2. FP damaged
3. Chamber mouth has ding from FP. Burr can keep round from fully seating, will be driven forward by FP, may eat enuff of force to prevent ignition.
4. Headspace.

If you DO have a chamber mouth burr DO NOT REMOVE IT. Send me a PM- there is a technique to "iron" it back in place.

 

[lonyaeger]

Possibles- (You are not holding the gun close enuff to the computer for me to tell, and the crystal ball is in the shop for an oil change)

1. Crud/ lack of lube on FP
2. FP damaged
3. Chamber mouth has ding from FP. Burr can keep round from fully seating, will be driven forward by FP, may eat enuff of force to prevent ignition.
4. Headspace.

If you DO have a chamber mouth burr DO NOT REMOVE IT. Send me a PM- there is a technique to "iron" it back in place.

What are the chances any of these could be the case with a brand-new rifle?

 

[c3shooter]

Sorry- thought you said a year old. If you have not been dry firing, skip #3. #4 possible, not likely. #1 and #2 possible.

 

[lonyaeger]

It is a year old, but I've been having the same problem since new. I've only now been ready to really address it.

 

[stalkingbear]

Another thing you could try is take the bolt apart and stretch the firing pin spring. It's possible the spring is weak so I would try that before going to the trouble of sending it back to Browning.

 

[lonyaeger]

Thanks, Bear. Even someone with my limited abilities should be able to pull that off! I don't want to have to send it back if I don't have to, major PIA.

 

[Leonarider]

I am hAving similar issues with a brand new T bolt in 17hmr. Took it to the range today to sight in the new scope. Out of the first 20 shots, I had 10 FTFs. I don't want to push the panic button as the gun is new, but that just isn't acceptable. When I pull the bolt back it doesn't look as if the round is fully seated in the chamber and the pressure from the next round in the clip is pushing it up so much as to not allow proper insertion . I forcefully push the bolt to rechamber round and get the expected bang. Has anyone else experienced this and could it be just the "new" needing to get worn off? New to the forum and any help would be appreciated.

 

[trip]

I am hAving similar issues with a brand new T bolt in 17hmr. Took it to the range today to sight in the new scope. Out of the first 20 shots, I had 10 FTFs. I don't want to push the panic button as the gun is new, but that just isn't acceptable. When I pull the bolt back it doesn't look as if the round is fully seated in the chamber and the pressure from the next round in the clip is pushing it up so much as to not allow proper insertion . I forcefully push the bolt to rechamber round and get the expected bang. Has anyone else experienced this and could it be just the "new" needing to get worn off? New to the forum and any help would be appreciated.

I would clean it really well and try it again. If that doesn't help I would send it back

 

[John_Deer]

I am hAving similar issues with a brand new T bolt in 17hmr. Took it to the range today to sight in the new scope. Out of the first 20 shots, I had 10 FTFs. I don't want to push the panic button as the gun is new, but that just isn't acceptable. When I pull the bolt back it doesn't look as if the round is fully seated in the chamber and the pressure from the next round in the clip is pushing it up so much as to not allow proper insertion . I forcefully push the bolt to rechamber round and get the expected bang. Has anyone else experienced this and could it be just the "new" needing to get worn off? New to the forum and any help would be appreciated.

I would call browning to get a return label emailed to you. They will fix your gun or send you a new one. It's just that simple.

I bought a Marlin XT 22MR. I tried to sight it in. It was shooting about a foot high with the sight as low as possible. In about 2 weeks I had a new Marlin that shoots great.

Browning has better customer support than Remlin.

 

[Leonarider]

Just a quick update..... After 30 minutes on hold with Browning last week I talked with one of their tech guys who suggested trying another kind of ammo. I originally used Hornaday rounds which I have NEVER had problems with in any other rifle. I bought some CCI rounds and gave them a go today. Same results, @50% FTFs on both mags. I will talk to Browning again tomorrow with the intention of sending the rifle in for repair.

 

[Bill.C.C]

Just a quick update..... After 30 minutes on hold with Browning last week I talked with one of their tech guys who suggested trying another kind of ammo. I originally used Hornaday rounds which I have NEVER had problems with in any other rifle. I bought some CCI rounds and gave them a go today. Same results, @50% FTFs on both mags. I will talk to Browning again tomorrow with the intention of sending the rifle in for repair.

Any updates on your problems? My dad just got a 17 tbolt and has the same issues.