Frustrating .22LR

[adsm08]

OK, so I have this old Mossberg .22. The gun is probably in the area of 60 years old. Given the model number and a few other details I have narrowed the production date to probably some time in 1958. Nobody is really sure where it came from except that it belonged to someone in my wife's family, and she took it along with the rest of her late father's guns when she moved out of her mom's house.

Recently I have gotten back into shooting/hunting and I've decided I want to use it. I got a bore-sighter to get the sights close, took it to shoot it last week, 7 misfires in a row with no marks on the casing. Took it home, took it apart, firing pin was broken and I never noticed, because it is not super visible while the gun is fully assembled. No problem, ordered a pin, put it in, recheck the sighting with the laser pointer, go back to the range. 4 misfires in a row, but the casings are slightly dimpled. Inspect again, and there is a spot that looks like wear across from the firing pin. So maybe the chamber is worn, now I need a gunsmith, maybe.

All those misfires were with pretty new Remmington rounds. Went to inspect one to see if maybe I could find a way to get the pin to go father, can't find any of them, they got mixed in with other stuff in the pocket of my hunting vest. So I grabbed a 15 year old, slightly oxidized Federal round out of my vest pocket, put it in, point the gun at a nice soft dirt pile behind the house, and pull the trigger knowing it won't go off, and it goes off.

What gives?

 

[Dirtman]

Guns is goes bang.

 

[adsm08]

Guns is goes bang.

Well, sometimes at least.

 

[sgtsandman]

The firing pin channel might be gummed up but that is a wild guess since I’m not familiar with the firearm.

 

[Dirtman]

Go buy some Eley tenex or CCI mini mag. If the gun doesn't fire one of those it's definitely broken...

I gave up on using any other kind of .22lr ammo cause it's a crapshoot.

 

[Shran]

I'd rule out junk ammo before anything else. And clean up the bolt really well.

My old Remington 597 rifle was super picky about ammo. Some brands would have light strikes 2-3 times before the round would go off. Other ammo ran flawlessly. The Marlins and Rugers I have now will eat just about anything... In fact I used to collect duds on the range that other people threw out.

 

[adsm08]

I'd rule out junk ammo before anything else. And clean up the bolt really well.

This was one of my thoughts. The Federal rounds being much older may have a thicker base which would be easier to set off.

The pin definitely isn't sticking. I cleaned the bolt very well when I replaced the pin and made sure it can slide freely.

The pin on this gun is just a shaped slab of metal that is fit somewhat loosely in a slot in the bolt and a spring-loaded hammer comes up and smacks it from behind. When I was inspecting the original I accidentally released the action while the bolt was out, so I've had to cycle the hammer by hand and I know how heavy that spring is. I doubt the pin could stick enough to resist it.

 

[rumblecloud]

Which one is it?

 

[adsm08]

Which one is it?
View attachment 54633

None of the above. It's a 346K which I found production dates ranging from 1958 to about 1962 IIRC. Certain details of the gun itself make me tend to believe it is on the earlier end of that spectrum.

 

[Sharky]

did you get a "new" firing pin or a "new used" firing pin ? most of the parts available for old guns are used, so the pin you got may be worn enough so that
it is not hitting all the time.

 

[adsm08]

did you get a "new" firing pin or a "new used" firing pin ? most of the parts available for old guns are used, so the pin you got may be worn enough so that
it is not hitting all the time.

It was advertised as new reproduction, and I was unable to find any signs of use on it before I installed it.

I'm also now kind of wondering if it just needs broken in a bit.

 

[Sharky]

if you take the bolt out again , check the pin travel to ensure it`s not binding or it needs a bit of clearance (whatever stops pin travel)
to move enough to hit the shell reliably.

 

[19Walt93]

It was advertised as new reproduction, and I was unable to find any signs of use on it before I installed it.

I'm also now kind of wondering if it just needs broken in a bit.

I used to think " reproduction" just meant not made by the original manufacturer. After 30 years with my Mustang I now know "reproduction" means looks like a new one and might work, or not.
My father got my 22 by mailing in a cigar box full of the coupons off the back of Raleigh cigarette packs. We got home one afternoon and there was a long skinny cardboard box propped against the mailbox. They sent it through the mail and the mailman left it while we were away. And no one took it or freaked out about it. It would have been in the early to mid 60's.

 

[rumblecloud]

You mean people weren't afraid you were gonna put someone's eye out with that thing?

 

[adsm08]

or it needs a bit of clearance (whatever stops pin travel) to move enough to hit the shell reliably.

That may be. Just need to take a file and take a bit off the stop.