Customer brings you a Browning Hi Power and explains that it does not fire when the hammer falls on a loaded chamber. He states that the hammer does reach full cock when cycling the slide and manually cocking the hammer itself.
1.How would you make this firearm safe to begin working on?
Like most 1911 type firearms this browning high power has a safety selector switch that locks
into a groove on the slide. Keeping the firearm pointed in a safe direction push the magazine release and remove the feeding source. Next push the selector to fire to unlock the slide and with your finger off the trigger, pull the slide to the rear. Use the slide catch to lock it to the rear and visually and physically inspect for the presence of ammunition.
2.What procedures or processes would you follow to eliminate user error or ammunition as the cause of the malfunction?
This is when a test fire would be needed. I am positive in my ability to work the firearm without user error being an issue. Couple this with me testing the ammunition they provided, and I should be able to recreate the malfunction or prove that the customer was doing something wrong while firing. On occasion I will have the owner fire the pistol with me watching so I can see what they may be doing right or wrong that could cause the issue they are describing.
3.What part(s) would you most suspect to be causing this failure and why?
If I had determined that the ammunition they are using is still good and it had to be a part to
blame for the pistol not firing I would look at the firing pin first. If the pistol has a working trigger and hammer then it is possible the firing pin is broken or worn and the energy of the falling hammer is not being transferred to the primer of the cartridge.
4.If the part that you identified in the previous question needed replacement, where might you find a replacement and how much would this component cost?
MidwayUSA has discontinued the firing pin, but you can find it on Midwestgunworks website for $32.99.
5.What tests would you perform after making the replacement and what do you hope to learn?
A funny test I see people do to ensure they are getting a strike with the firing pin is popping a pencil down the barrel of a firearm that has already been cleared and pulling the trigger. If it is striking the eraser, it should throw the pencil out of the barrel. Then of course I would step onto the range and do a live fire test to ensure everything is firing as intended.
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