Fox Sterlingworth Firing Pin

[Macklew2]

Has anyone had a right barrel firing pin issue in an early Fox SW? I tried test firing some 2-1/2" low pressure roll crimped loads yesterday and on the first try, I got a dent in the primer of the right barrel. Tried same round (with dented primer) in the left barrel, no problem. Tried another one in the right barrel and got a fire. Seems like I might have a firing pin issue, but wanted others thoughts first. Thanks Brad

[Silvers]

Has anyone had a right barrel firing pin issue in an early Fox SW? I tried test firing some 2-1/2" low pressure roll crimped loads yesterday and on the first try, I got a dent in the primer of the right barrel. Tried same round (with dented primer) in the left barrel, no problem. Tried another one in the right barrel and got a fire. Seems like I might have a firing pin issue, but wanted others thoughts first. Thanks Brad

AH Fox shotguns do not have a separate firing pin; actually it's the tip of each hammer that contacts the shotshell primer. In any problem solving as reported here a single issue as with only one shell doesn't necessarily mean a problem with the gun. Often a misfire on one barrel indicates a minimal but acceptable firing tip protrusion BUT in combination with a "low primer". And switching the shell to the opposite barrel with a bit more firing tip protrusion will fire it. If that shell is 2-1/2" and roll crimped it sounds like it wasn't done on regular production loading machinery and somehow that primer might have been set in too deeply and only dented. That's a common problem with those who reload shotshells.

Another scenario is that the shell primer depth was OK but the tip of the hammer on that side is chipped or broken and thus a bit shorter than it should be. Firing tip protrusion on an AH Fox shotgun is typically .045 to .050" out from the breech face, and if you have a caliper with a depth slider you can easily measure to confirm. That's with the hammer(s) in the fired position. frank

[Macklew2]

Has anyone had a right barrel firing pin issue in an early Fox SW? I tried test firing some 2-1/2" low pressure roll crimped loads yesterday and on the first try, I got a dent in the primer of the right barrel. Tried same round (with dented primer) in the left barrel, no problem. Tried another one in the right barrel and got a fire. Seems like I might have a firing pin issue, but wanted others thoughts first. Thanks Brad

AH Fox shotguns do not have a separate firing pin; actually it's the tip of each hammer that contacts the shotshell primer. In any problem solving as reported here a single issue as with only one shell doesn't necessarily mean a problem with the gun. Often a misfire on one barrel indicates a minimal but acceptable firing tip protrusion BUT in combination with a "low primer". And switching the shell to the opposite barrel with a bit more firing tip protrusion will fire it. If that shell is 2-1/2" and roll crimped it sounds like it wasn't done on regular production loading machinery and somehow that primer might have been set in too deeply and only dented. That's a common problem with those who reload shotshells.

Another scenario is that the shell primer depth was OK but the tip of the hammer on that side is chipped or broken and thus a bit shorter than it should be. Firing tip protrusion on an AH Fox shotgun is typically .045 to .050" out from the breech face, and if you have a caliper with a depth slider you can easily measure to confirm. That's with the hammer(s) in the fired position. frank

I will measure that with my calipers and report my findings. Thanks Frank.