Pistols > Model HSC Pistol

3 HSc Issues - Newbie

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Gray Ghost:
Well I have cleaned both of my original magazines.  Polished the followers and installed new Wolf + 5 % mag springs.  When loading more than 5 rounds it is a chore to get the last three in.  With the slide locked open I have to slam the magazine home for it to strip the top round and chamber it.  This only works about 2/3 of the time.  If I try to just push the mag home it usually fails to feed and gets jamed between the slide and ramp.  I have replaced the slide return with a Wolf spring.  I have never had this kind of issue with other semi autos.  Is this just the nature of the beast ?  If I close the slide, insert the magazine then rack the slide the round feeds every round most of the time.

I'm at a loss what to do next.  I sure need some imput.

Thanks

Warbird:
No, this is not normal operation of the HSc and I don't know why you would have installed +5% Magazine Springs since, of course, this would make it harder to load the Magazine.

Let's start at the beginning.  Unload the Magazine, rack the Slide open, and insert the Magazine.  Does the Slide close reliably on an empty Magazine?  Do this multiple times (the Magazine does not have to be withdrawn all the way).  Does the Slide close reliably?  Your checking the function and timing of the Magazine Safety.  You should not have to slam the Magazine home but simply push it in.  If this doesn't work all the time, you need to find out what is holding the Magazine back or why it is not releasing the Safety.

Let me know how this is working.

Gray Ghost:
I installed + 5% springs because that is all that Wolf offers.  They claim more reliable feeding.  Since I have feeding problems, it made sense.  Even with both old mags & springs it is a bear to load over six rounds.  Then I can not push the rounds out of the mags with my fingers.  I have to use a dowel.  I have never had to do that with any other mag fed firearms.  I keep thinking that this may be the whole issue.  But what are the odds that both mags have the exact same problem?

With an empty mag I can push the mag in gently and the slide will snap shut every time.  If I try this with only one round in the mag it will either not strip the round or will lam catching the round at about a 45 degree angle between the slide and the feed ramp.

Warbird:
OK ... now I want you to take the Barrel out of the Slide and lock it onto the Frame.  With the Barrel in position, load an empty Magazine.  Does the top edge of the Magazine line up with the bottom of the Feed Ramp of the Barrel?  Also check the Slide edge just below the Firing Pin opening.  This is the edge that pushes the Round into the Chamber.  There should be some slight wear there but not much.

If all that checks out, be sure the loaded Round(s) are "popped" forward in the Magazine before loading.  Since you are familiar with Semi-Autos I know this is basic but I have to check.  Does it load properly?

Gray Ghost:
I did as instructed.  No slide barrel locked in place, the mag top edge is about a business card thickness from the bottom of the feed ramp that is milled into the frame.  The ramp in the frame meets the bottom of the barrel feed ramp perfectly.  With this set up I loaded a mag with new cartridges.  Using my thumb the round went up the ramp and chambered perfectly each time I tried.  Checked the bottom of slide under the firing pin area, no real wear there.  None of this made sense.  So.......

I took another look at both mags.  Took them apart, reassembled, worked the followers letting them snap in place.  Compressed the springs numerous times with a dowel.  Both mags were easier to load but still took some effort to load the eighth round.  Thumped the mags and noticed that the top round did not always postion properly, so I pushed down on the rounds a few times and thumped the mags.  Reassembled the pistol, locked the slide back inserted both mags with only light thumb pressure and every round chambered without a hick up.

I got to thinking and examined my dummy rounds I had been using.  The rims were rough from the extractor.  I am thinking that with all of the tight tolerances that the burrs on the dummy rounds retarded the feed just enough to cause problems.  (I know, dumb rookie mistake).

I have ordered some cheap grips and when they get here I will test fire the pistol and let you know what happens.

For now fresh catridges, paying close attention to the position of the top cartride even after bumping the mag seems to work well.

I wish to THANK YOU Warbird for your time and patience and working with me.  It is much appreciated.

That is what I like about forums like this.  There is always a couple of people willing to share their expertice with us less informed guys.  Hopefully I can help someone in the future as well.

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