Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing revolver primer seating

I dont know if this is gunsmithing, handgun or loading

but I bought a Taurus 450 in 45colt
honestly is really a sexy lil botch
med frame snub nose thats ported

I bought it used and I loaded some 45colt ammo for it and it just clicks (no detonation)
I went home and got a judge and a box of factory ammo

First I put the reloads in the judge worked just fine
next I put CCI Blazer 200 gr JHP in the 450 and they fired just fine no issue

I have never loaded for a gun that primer seating depth is so critical or even heard of such a thing

Any suggestions on anything I can do to make this more dependable
I can already hear ditch it and get a Smith (there maybe a bit of truth)

But honestly this is really a cool little snub I would like to make work without its own dam specs

any suggestions?
Hank

Sounds more like a firing pin projection or weak spring issue rather than anything having to do with primer seating depth.

With an EMPTY gun close the cylinder, cock it and then pull the trigger to drop the hammer while continuing to hold the trigger. Look for the tip of the firing pin through the gap between the back of the cylinder and the rear wall of the frame. You may have to push forward on the hammer while holding the trigger. If it’s not an inertial-type firing pin you should be able to see the firing pin through the cylinder/frame gap. If it is an inertial firing pin you may still be able to see it momentarily flash through the gap.
That may give you an idea of what’s going on.

That was for sure my first thought


I just got it back from Taurus

I have to admit I am just puzzled

And honestly like most of my guns I want to load for it
I really don't care much about factory ammo

Hank

Does the firing pin even dent the primers of the handloads in the Taurus?

What primers are in the handloads?

Just to make sure I understand, you sent it to Taurus for some repair, just got it back, and now it won’t fire? If that’s the case, did it fire ok before you sent it?

The primers are dented
and maybe its my imagination but they look like a bit lighter strikes

I first took it to a local gun smith and he said he was having the same issues so he than sent it to the factory
I am quite sure he was using factory ammo for his testing

I was lazy on my first loads and didnt record what primers
I got home today and loaded 5 Winchester and 5 Federal no powder or bullet just to see if they would ignite
the ones I didnt load as deep seemed to fire

I looked at the factory ammo I shot today and I don't see that much difference that the ones I loaded (as to the depth)

Hank

Sounds like you’ve got it figured out.