Can't figure out this failure to fire in my Hungarian PA63.

T

thx1970

Inactive
I did a Wolf spring upgrade kit to the whole pistol a few years ago and now it's starting to act weird . Every other shot is not igniting the primers. My hammer spring I believe is a Wolf 9lbs and factory is 16 . My firing pin seems visually ok. Kinda stumped on this one. I tried Sellior and Bellot and JHP ammo with FTFire. It was fine shooting with this ammo in the past but something's going on with the pistol now.
 

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I don't know the mainspring weight of the original, but if it is 16 pounds, you should expect to get misfires with a 9 pound spring.

FWIW, I have found over the years that the original mainsprings are generally better made and better suited to the pistol than any of the replacement springs on the market. In fact, unless the original spring is clearly defective, I would be very hesitant about replacing it. Go back to the original or to one of the original weight and see what happens.

Jim
 
I just happen to have all my factory springs I saved . The recoil ,firing pin spring and hammer . Should I replace all three or just the hammer?
 
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The reason to use the lighter hammer spring with a heavier recoil spring is to reduce the 25 lb double action trigger pull. As you found, it comes at the risk of light primer strikes.

I would go to an 11 lb hammer spring and use the original firing pin spring. The double action trigger pull will be greater, but hopefully not 20+ lbs.
 
"...It was fine shooting with this ammo in the past but something's going on with the pistol now..." The pistol function fine after changing the springs and/or not since?
If you changed the springs a few years ago and it worked ok, but suddenly, now, it's malfunctioning, it isn't the springs.
Most likely the ammo, but start with a really good bath. Could just be some crud in the slide/FP channel.
 
"If you changed the springs a few years ago and it worked ok, but suddenly, now, it's malfunctioning, it isn't the springs."

Maybe, but define "suddenly". Most spring failure will occur gradually, from a few rounds that might not be noticed, to a point where failures are prevalent.

Yes, since you have the original springs, I would suggest that you replace at least the mainspring (hammer spring) with the original and see what happens. You will not have to spend any more money to find out for sure if that is the problem.

(You can judge whether cleaning is a factor; in most cases with CF ammo and a reasonably clean gun, it is not.)

Added: I wonder why firearms factories spend money to hire qualified engineers and top-flight metallurgists when everyone seems to know how much spring tension to use and how to make springs (and other parts) that are better than anything the factory can make or buy. Puzzling.

Jim
 
Go on Midway and look up the Wolf Springs.Then read the reviews.

IIRC(No,I did not go look it up) They offer a9lb,an 11lb,and a 13 lb.

A number of folks found the 9 lb unreliable.Most used the 11.

I can't tell you every consideration of the firing pin spring with authority.I suggest you follow the instructions.

Typically when upgrading these pistols,a stronger recoil spring is installed.
That increases the slide velocity forward.The slide velocity may require a stronger firing pin spring due to increased inertia.....but then lightening the hammer mainspring may require a lighter firing pin spring....

HMMMM.So talk to Wolff and read instructions.The FP spring requires some challenging assy/disassy.I suppose some folks might skip that,and just change the hammer spring.The original FP spring may not like that idea.

Beware little springs flying ,and little pivot pins under the grips and that hair spring.....

Seems like I recall putting the slide in a vise(tape to protect) and using a piece of 30-06 brass as a tool in the ejection port to push against the extractor...Its been a while.
The medium,rather than the light hammer spring should fix you up.
 
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