Light primer strikes w/GAP Tempest

[nad1967]

I use Timney CE triggers (have tried multiple) and tried all the different GAP trigger hangers without any luck.

Anybody have a similar experience and what was your resolution/solution?

 

[Supersubes]

Is this a new build/action. Did it work at some point, and then stop working? Did you switch primers? Do you full length size?

have you measured the firing pin protrusion with the different hangers? Ga has a tolerance for that somewhere in the neighborhood of .180-.195 or so. Is the CE on the approved trigger list, i cant recall.

 

[nad1967]

It is in a rifle that has seen about 200rds but it has never been reliable. Now, it won't ignite a single primer.

I remember reading some folks having issues w/CE triggers in Tempest actions, particularly those that have been cerakoted (my case). I switched primers at first but they worked fine in other rifles. I FL size all brass.

 

[Mike Casselton]

Are you absolutely sure you are not over sizing your cases causing the datum line to change?
This can cause light firing pin strikes since the case is too far forward in the chamber.
Do your fired cases come out with flattened primers, even with mild loads?
Otherwise, check pin protrusion like mentioned above

 

[5RWill]

Which CE is it? What's your firing pin protrusion at? What primers are you using?

Firing pin protrusion needs to be in the .180-.195 range as mentioned. I believe last i measured mine with the 2-stage CE it was .192.

Tempest is evidently known to have some issues with CCI primers due to their primer cups. To which i've not known about till recently but apparently it's an issue.

Checking the datum line wouldn't be a bad idea either though i think if you were bumping shoulders too far you'd run into extraction issues before getting light primer strikes.

 

[FatBoy]

Like the previous guys stated, measure the pin protrusion out of the back of the cocking piece with the unit cocked. If you have a 30 hanger on the trigger and it's not around .190"-.195" then it's possible the firing pin set screws backed out and the pin has screwed too far forward. If your smith broke it down to coat the cocking piece, that's where I'd lay my money. Measure it real quick and if it's short, pull the FP assembly and check for rubs or a shaving around the firing pin stop up front.

I assume nobody has been fucking with/stoning the trigger sear and cocking piece angles, correct?

 

[FatBoy]

Let us know what you find with the cocking distance. If you think the pin screwed forward PM me. It may need to go back to GAP but most likely you can fix it with an allen key.

 

[6point5CM]

I have the same issue and posted a lot in the old thread in scout. I can't get any Timney CE's or Trigger Techs to run. Mine was cerakoated. Now that the kote has worn on the firing pin protrusion, I can run a jewel without issue in the .10, .20, and .30 hangers. Still can't run a Timney CE or TT though. GAP said I needed a number .30 hanger for the CE. Had a buddy with a .20 hanger built by GAP on his CE and it worked fine. In hindsight now that it's been over a year, I think the smith tore it apart to kote the pin protrusion and it wasn't set to the correct length. Light primer strikes were with all makes, reloads, and factory. I'll probably send it in at the end of this season to have the cerakote stripped off and have it DLP'd. FatBoy I may PM you for the same advice as the OP. For now though, it's running so well with my Jewell I don't want to change it until winter.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[5RWill]

I had maybe 5 misfires with my CE 2-stage on the .20 hanger IIRC out of 700rds. This is despite the recommendation being the .30 I have a single stage CE coming that i plan to run while waiting on my TacSport 2-stage. Soon as i can get it i'll put it in the Tempest, measure the firing pin protrusion, and take it out to the range.

I'm always scared to cerakote actions now. Not to dog the coating and not to say some smiths can't apply it in a thin enough manner that it wont work, but for my customs i'm pretty much exclusively going to use DLC. I said it before but out of every custom i've handled cerakoted only one has felt right to me, stuff just seems too thick for a custom with it's tolerances. Evidently the same principle applies to the bolt shroud and firing pin mechanism.

 

[FatBoy]

6point5CM,

if the pin isn't cocking far enough with the proper hanger there is an allen head in the bottom of the cocking piece. It's a wedge screw, under it is another allen head that holds the pin. I didn't pull mine down or put it together, but when I had light strikes I emailed George at GAP and he had me send in the FP assembly. (GAP did not build the rifle). George fixed it and turned it around in like a week. Been 100% since then (300-400 rounds, all with CCI450Ms) with a m700 in a 0 hanger and a 510 flat shoe in a 30. It appears my pin set screw backed out or was otherwise damaged and the pin had screwed forward considerably. If your pin moved forward, and the smith didn't strip anything, it could be a simple fix. Personally, as fast as George took care of me, he would be my first contact. If he is willing to look at it, go that route. The have SO much more time with these than anyone else, they are going to find stuff we don't even know to look for.

Chris

 

[5RWill]

6point5CM,

if the pin isn't cocking far enough with the proper hanger there is an allen head in the bottom of the cocking piece. It's a wedge screw, under it is another allen head that holds the pin. I didn't pull mine down or put it together, but when I had light strikes I emailed George at GAP and he had me send in the FP assembly. (GAP did not build the rifle). George fixed it and turned it around in like a week. Been 100% since then (300-400 rounds, all with CCI450Ms) with a m700 in a 0 hanger and a 510 flat shoe in a 30. It appears my pin set screw backed out or was otherwise damaged and the pin had screwed forward considerably. If your pin moved forward, and the smith didn't strip anything, it could be a simple fix. Personally, as fast as George took care of me, he would be my first contact. If he is willing to look at it, go that route. The have SO much more time with these than anyone else, they are going to find stuff we don't even know to look for.

Chris

Agreed, it's still relatively new also. I know it was introduced a while back but honest to God i don't see many Tempest in the wild.

 

[6point5CM]

Thanks for the info. I may just do that. I'll probably still wait until winter time frame to do it. I love the action but it's been a learning curve, that's for sure. I have a very low 100 number action and they didn't even have the trigger hanger recommendations at the time it shipped. Things are definitely on the right track now. Thanks for the details.

 

[pangelos]

The allen screws on the firing pin have backed out on two tempest that are well used that I have built (including mine) which were causing light primer strikes take both the screws out and make sure the shroud is screwed all the way down on the firing pin...mine was a full two turns out. Then locite (blue) the allen screws in...ive went through 600 rounds since i did that and have had zero issues.

 

[5RWill]

CE single stage is coming in today. I'll see if i can get out to the range and see what i firing pin protrusion i get with the corresponding hangers. I've not checked the firing pin screws, i'd wager to guess mine have been locktited though when Chad diassembled the entire build and DLC'd everything.

 

[Gunmutt]

How does one pull the firing pin out of one of these?

 

[Supersubes]

How does one pull the firing pin out of one of these?

Remove the small set screw on the underside of the striker. If there’s one under that, remove it too. Id make sure youve recorded the pin protrusion figure, so you can return to it. From there, just unscrew the pin out of the striker/shroud assembly. Pretty straight forward. When it’s apart, note the small flat thats been cut into the firing pin threads, which is where the set screw is supposed to ride upon reassembly.

 

[Gunmutt]

Got it.

 

[Twinsen]

My Tempest has light strikes, rim lock, and is as unsmoothe as a mosin nagant in cosmoline. However, it seems GA can turn barrels like gods, so my Tempest is incredibly accurate. But, it is destined for permanent benchrest shooting, as no action on Earth is rougher or slower. They're legendary gunsmiths, but their action is garbage.

 

[5RWill]

My tempest is the smoothest action I’ve used to date. That includes having two bighorns, cycled deviants and surgeons, and of course had Remington. Just think the production has been spotty. Seems a good bit of people have been having issues with theirs. Dunno if i would recommend it anymore seeing all the issues coming out. Haven’t encountered any issues with mine yet.

 

[Gunmutt]

I agree that mine is smooth as anything I have handled. Sure it has some issue but a little tuning should fix it. I don't see anything that would make me not like it. It seems most people are having the best luck with Jewell triggers on it. I would like to try one but with the holidays coming up my funds are tied up. I guess I could sell my CE 2 stage. I am use to a rifle basix as I only shot savage prior to my tempest so I guess going back to a single stage would not be the end of the world.