Primer piercing and recoil pad

[Seth Mackay-Smith]

Well I finally got a hammer gun (1891 12ga, 28" laminated) and there are a couple of things I'll have to get fixed - but I would like any opinions I can get before it goes to a gunsmith.
1) It has a 13" lop and I need more like 15" or so - it has the original butt plate with the "Parker dog" so does anyone know of a 2" slip-on pad? A new stock is not in the cards for this gun.
2) More importantly, in 3 out of 4 of the first shells I shot (RST lites, 1oz) the primer was pierced. In researching it on the site I see that some see this as not a big deal, but I'm not too excited about gases blowing back toward me and I _think_ that it should be a simple matter of a shorter firing pin. I do see that Cheddite is a favorite whipping-boy but I just think it would be good to not have to worry about it. Are replacement firing pins available, or will new ones need to be turned and heat treated?
All opinions welcome, including those who think it's a waste of time to worry about this.
THanks - Seth

[Bruce Day]

On hammer Parkers, the firing pins are termed plungers. A pierced primer is potentially harmful to the gun because the combustion gases can blow back through the plunger hole in the standing breech and then into the stock head and crack it longitudinally. Although replacement plungers are available , I suggest you remove yours, measure them and publish the length here. Ask others to compare theirs to yours to determine if yours are too long or if something else is amiss.

If yours are too long, although hardened, they can be ground to proper length. I do not know how they could be too long unless these are incorrect replacements.

As to the length of pull issue, there are several makers of slip on pads, Galco, Conn Shotgun, where one can be sourced. With any of them, add extra pads to suit.

[Kensal Rise]

Regardless of what you call them, the firing pins of this gun need to be assessed by a competent double gunsmith. There are a few reasons why your gun pierces primers. Length is only one of them. The correct reasoning of the problem and the proper solution needs professional help. It won't cost much, and you can rely on the gun from then on.

And, yes. Cheddite primers are not classic double gun friendly as a rule.

[Seth Mackay-Smith]

Naturally the battery on my calipers is dead. Will post OALs tomorrow; thanks for the suggestion.

[Seth Mackay-Smith]

Thanks; I remember seeing some smiths suggested that are not too far from me in far northern VA. I'll talk to them for sure but I really like to get other people's thoughts as well because I think that too often it's a problem if you don't have enough information when asking for a fix, no matter how good the gunsmith is. Of course I'll have them look at the springs as well, as I understand they can be an issue.

[Bruce Day]

Originally Posted by John Campbell

Regardless of what you call them, the firing pins of this gun need to be assessed by a competent double gunsmith. There are a few reasons why your gun pierces primers. Length is only one of them. The correct reasoning of the problem and the proper solution needs professional help. It won't cost much, and you can rely on the gun from then on.

And, yes. Cheddite primers are not classic double gun friendly as a rule.

Mr. Rise, can you help our new fellow Seth by checking the length on your plungers so that he can compare them? On an 1891 gun they are most probably from a top action gun. I would help, but I am in SoDak chasing birds.

[Jay B.]

Seth, on the LOP, I use Galco slip on's, and add to the distance needed by cutting and inserting diameters of old mouse pads. I just trace the butt, and cut the number I need. On a good gunsmith, I use Gunther Pfrommer, located near Roanoke VA. He has done work on many of my side x sides, including my 1884 hammer. A great craftsman. Pfrommer Gunworks
Gun shop in Franklin County, Virginia
Address: 2954 Hopkins Rd, Rocky Mount, VA 24151
Phone: (540) 484-5555

[Seth Mackay-Smith]

Thanks, Jay, I'll get a Decelerator and do what you and Bruce suggested. Appreciate the word of mouth on Pfrommer, too; I'm hoping for someone I can go see without burning the whole day but if he's that good then that may just be my day Friday.

[J. A. EARLY]

Originally Posted by Bruce Day

...A pierced primer is potentially harmful to the gun because the combustion gases can blow back through the plunger hole in the standing breech and then into the stock head and crack it longitudinally...

Bruce,

I thought the same thing as I had a cracked stock head on a top lever after firing RSTs and had pierced primers, but someone pointed out to me that on a hammer gun this cannot happen as the plunger is contained outside of the stock head. So even with pierced primers one should be safe. But I would wear shooting glasses, although the plunger fit is quite tight. From then on I did not worry about the poor thickness on the Cheddite primers in RSTs.

[Bruce Day]

Thanks Jerry. That makes sense. I had a pierced primer on a nice V Hammerless 16 owned by Dick Dow. Thankfully they were his shells ! The gases went through the hammer hole and blew out through the trigger slots on my finger. The stock cheek also cracked.