The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

Ok. I'm out trying to shoot, but with no luck.
I pull the trigger, and nothing. I eject the round, and there is a small dent I. The back.
What's wrong?
I checked the firing pin according to the video on this site. It's just touching the smaller hole, and not touching the deeper hole.
Thanks!

What ammo are you using?

could be weak firing pin spring.Has the bolt been cleaned of packing grease?

If a variety of diffrent ammo is doing it then it is the firing pin spring or firing pin or very loose head space.

IF it is just one type of ammo then it just may be a bad batch of primers, particularly if they will not go off in another rifle.

Semper Fi, Rob

Heartzers ammo so far. About to try the mil surplus. I checked head spacing with an okie gauge and all was good. I did clean the bolt.
Is there an adjustment for spring tension on the spring? I remember having to tighten something when I was assembling it.

You could turn the firing pin one turn out and try.

+1 on what Celt said.

Ok, but what does that mean to someone thay may not be familiar with the lingo? With the bolt out of the gun, turn the firing pin counterclockwise, using the part of the bolt that has a slotted piece that fits over the flat sides of the firing pin. Half turn at a time to keep the marks in line on the end of the cocking piece. Ok, what does this do? It makes the firing pin protrusion a little longer so it strikes the primer deeper. The reason we check the protrusion with the tool is so it isn't too deep to avoid punching a hole in the primer.

You can use the slot in the pin tool also, less wear and tear on your bolt piece.
Nice walk through though! Much more informative.

Looks like my last post from out in the field did not post... lousy reception.
I tried adjusting the firing pin, got it as close the Max as possible, no luck.
Is there a way to test the spring?
It's defiantly clicking and hitting the round, just leaving a small dent.
I really appreciate the quick responses !

You can try stretching the spring some but it would only be a temp fix. If tart makes it go bang you can order a new spring from liberty tree.

Do you have another firing pin you can compare against for length? I have seen damaged firing pins that were not long enough for a positive primer strike.

websterz wrote:Do you have another firing pin you can compare against for length? I have seen damaged firing pins that were not long enough for a positive primer strike.

Good idea!

Ok, i noticed in another post "

"Jar of grease for "sale"... (pics)"
The flat head screw at the back of the bolt is all the way to the end.
Mine is no where that far back, could that be the problem ?

That would mean you have it extended out pretty far but still passes. Might need a new fp.

It's screwed in deeper than flush, or sticking out above flush with the cocking knob?

Think it's negative of the cocking knob.
Correct? Which would mean that it's short. The tip is worn or broken.

I have never heard of Hertners ammo. There is a lot of , "new", ammo on the street now that is sub par. I would try the ammo in another Mosin if possible. If you have used the gauges to set the pin it can usually only mean bad ammo, hard primers, or a weak spring.

Herters is a popular ammo handled by Cabela's.

I heard that herters has a bad batch or 2 of x39 but that was a while ago.