Reports of light primer strikes are common on this and other sites, and usually the response involves springs, dirt, etc. But sometimes the problem is the ammunition, the primer itself, and the signs are misinterpreted.
When a firing pin strikes the primer, it does not penetrate very far into the primer; in fact it can't, since the primer anvil presents a rigid brace to stop it. But when the primer fires, the primer metal, under high pressure from both the explosion of the primer compound (and it is an explosion) and the ignition of the powder charge, flows back around the firing pin, creating that "cratered" look we consider "normal".
But if the priming compound does not explode, for whatever reason, the dent in the primer will appear to be quite shallow, and will be interpreted by many as evidence of a light primer strike.
So, if you experience failures to fire, and see shallow firing pin marks, don't assume that the gun needs to be repaired. The gun may be fine; the primers may be bad or inert.
Jim
When a firing pin strikes the primer, it does not penetrate very far into the primer; in fact it can't, since the primer anvil presents a rigid brace to stop it. But when the primer fires, the primer metal, under high pressure from both the explosion of the primer compound (and it is an explosion) and the ignition of the powder charge, flows back around the firing pin, creating that "cratered" look we consider "normal".
But if the priming compound does not explode, for whatever reason, the dent in the primer will appear to be quite shallow, and will be interpreted by many as evidence of a light primer strike.
So, if you experience failures to fire, and see shallow firing pin marks, don't assume that the gun needs to be repaired. The gun may be fine; the primers may be bad or inert.
Jim