Strange malfunction

[Henri carabine]

I took my Henry big boy 357 mag to the range today, fired the first three rounds of the day and the fourth didn't go off nor did the next three. First I thought it was a light primer strike, but no. The carbine loads a round in the chamber, hammer goes back, trigger goes click, hammer goes down, and nothing. No sign of the firing pin touching the primer. Later, those rounds fired just fine out of my S&W.
Full disclosure: I took it completley apart this week and cleaned and polished it to "smooth the action". Coincidence? or did I do something wrong?

[GunnyGene]

Sounds like a firing pin problem. Take the bolt out and make sure the firing pin is protruding. Might be jammed up or broken.

[Sir Henry]

Ditto on the firing pin being the problem. I’ve done the same thing on different firearms and discovered maybe the slightest debris being the problem.

[CT_Shooter]

Henry will take care of it if the firing pin has been damaged or was defective. It won't take them long. If you need a repair, call them on the phone for the quickest response. Keep us posted.

http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... 127#p70193

[JEBar]

agree with both a problem with the firing pin and if its broke, Henry will fix it

[Henri carabine]

I took the bolt out. This gun is still new to me. Last time I checked, if I wiggled the bolt I could see the firing pin sticking out now I can see it or part of it about a quarter inch inside the hole.

[Sir Henry]

I took the bolt out. This gun is still new to me. Last time I checked, if I wiggled the bolt I could see the firing pin sticking out now I can see it or part of it about a quarter inch inside the hole.

The spring should be holding it back. Try pushing on the pin from the other end where the hammer would be hitting it.

[Henri carabine]

firing pin.jpg

Sorry for the fuzzy pic, I don't remember seeing that shiny part under the little square block before. It doesn't want to move.

[Oldbrass]

2 piece firing pin, seems something is bound up. Henry will make it right. If you fix it I'd still call Henry and talk to them

[Henri carabine]

I think I will have Henry fix it. It only has less than 4 or 5 hundred rounds in it.

[CT_Shooter]

I think I will have Henry fix it. It only has less than 4 or 5 hundred rounds in it.

My BBB .357 had the very same problem a few years ago. It was a quick turn around and it's been perfect ever since. Keep us posted.

[Sir Henry]

I think I will have Henry fix it. It only has less than 4 or 5 hundred rounds in it.

My BBB .357 had the very same problem a few years ago. It was a quick turn around and it's been perfect ever since. Keep us posted.

Did your firing pin break?

[CT_Shooter]

Did your firing pin break?

Yes. Though how and why, I can't say.

I cleaned the gun as usual after that last trip to the range when it was flawless. The very next time I went to the range, it would not ignite a single primer and there were no visible primer strikes. I packed up and went home totally bummed out. Then, I called Henry CS, got a mailing label, sent it in for repair, and it has been fine ever since.

[Henri carabine]

It took a couple of days for them to get back to me from Wisconsin. Turns out that my rifle was made in New Jersey so they had someone from N.J. call me. Now I am waiting for delivery of a firing pin. I've only found three videos on disassembly/assembly on you tube but nothing on Bolt/firing pin. Does anybody know where to get instruction?

[CT_Shooter]

It took a couple of days for them to get back to me from Wisconsin. Turns out that my rifle was made in New Jersey so they had someone from N.J. call me. Now I am waiting for delivery of a firing pin. I've only found three videos on disassembly/assembly on you tube but nothing on Bolt/firing pin. Does anybody know where to get instruction?

Seems odd that they would be sending you a firing pin. I would expect that they would send a new bolt. Call CS again to clarify that, and if it is just a firing pin, ask them to email you installation instructions. I don't recall ever seeing any that have been published. Please keep us posted. Thanks.

[Henri carabine]

CT_Shooter, I decided to just accept what the were willing to send to avoid further delays. I received the two pieces of the firing pin and spring yesterday afternoon (Friday) and put it together just in time for my usual Saturday morning range session. It wasn't too complicated except that I had never removed or reinstalled a spring pin before. I made my own tool with an old screwdriver, cut off the tip and filed it to the right diameter. If there is a next time, I will have new pins and proper tools. While I was at it I ran some fine sandpaper inside the firing pin channel/tunnel and looked at the wear marks on the old pins and polished those areas on the new parts.
Took it to the range this morning and it ran like a charm.
This gun is heavy! After a few dozen rounds my arm gets tired. Time to build some new muscles.

[Ernie]

Glad that you could fix it and it worked so well. I would have to resort to videos to feel comfortable enough to attempt that. Congratulations

[CT_Shooter]

CT_Shooter, I decided to just accept what the were willing to send to avoid further delays. I received the two pieces of the firing pin and spring yesterday afternoon (Friday) and put it together just in time for my usual Saturday morning range session. It wasn't too complicated except that I had never removed or reinstalled a spring pin before. I made my own tool with an old screwdriver, cut off the tip and filed it to the right diameter. If there is a next time, I will have new pins and proper tools. While I was at it I ran some fine sandpaper inside the firing pin channel/tunnel and looked at the wear marks on the old pins and polished those areas on the new parts.
Took it to the range this morning and it ran like a charm.
This gun is heavy! After a few dozen rounds my arm gets tired. Time to build some new muscles.

Great news! Thanks for the update and for your range report.

Yeah! The BBB rifle is a heavy gun, too. I regularly shot 50 rounds at a time with mine (before Covid) and my left arm screamed at me every time. Really love that gun, though.

[JEBar]

Took it to the range this morning and it ran like a charm.

OUTSTANDING .... delighted to hear it .... tip of my cap, I have to hand it to you for being willing and able to handle the install ..