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Webley Mark VI

captainbrittles
I have a nice old Webley Mark VI in original .455 that I've been shooting for several years. But just recently, it's begun misfiring frequently, sometimes as often as four or five times per cylinder. It looks like there's too much headspace, meaning the point of the hammer is not striking the primer at all or not striking it hard enough to ignite the charge. I've tried it with both old and new ammo and still the same thing. The point of the hammer does not seem to be worn down enough to make this happen. Then again, what to I know? Any ideas?
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  • captainbrittles
    I have a Webley Mark VI that is a .22 conversion is has a 412xxx serial number on it. I have looked around for two weeks for this gun but cannot find any anywhere.
    It is not a trainer but a conversion can someone help me?
    I cannot seem to post pics on here if you email me at jlg_51@hotmail.com I can send you some.
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  • givette
    Firing pin protrusion through the recoil shield inadequate (provided the gun is locking up satisfactorially). Have a G/S check the cylinder for excessive fore-and-aft play, as well as amount of hammer protrusion. It may be something as simple as shimming the front of the cylinder. Good luck! Joe
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  • captainbrittles
    Joe: Thanks for taking the time to respond. I spoke to a gunsmith this week and we're getting together so he can look at it. But for starters, he agrees with your assessment and adds that the spring might need adjustment/replacement as well.
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  • captainbrittles
    Joe & others: just an update. I consulted a G/S and among other things, he discovered something I had not noticed -- the gun functions perfectly in double action but misfires nearly every time in single action. Should be the other way around, right? He did find a very slight -- almost too slight to feel -- fore/aft play in the cylinder. Bottom line: he could not find a way to fix it. But he said it was the most pristine Mark VI he's ever seen and, given that it's still unconverted from .455 and given the interesting British regimental markings (6JLI, 6th Jat Light Infantry, Indian Army) he says it's very much worth pursuing. So he gave me the number of a "better" gunsmith and I'll be seeing him next week. Obviously, any thoughts you experts out there could toss in would be most appreciated.
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  • Geri
    If you reload, have you switched to a different brand of primers?
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  • captainbrittles
    No. Same ammo supply. In fact, I've tested it on three different kinds of ammo, some of it very old and some very new. Same result.
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  • givette
    Please post a closeup photo of:
    1. A double-action primer strike, and
    2. A single-action primer strike.



    Have the G/S remove the cylinder. Notice the 'boss' that's protruding on the cylinder front face, where the basepin (axle) goes through? If you could get a wafer-thin hardened washer miked to be 1/2 as thick as the cylinder end-play, that's what I meant by shimming the cylinder.

    In addition to above, best if you can get a washer that's got the same exterior diam. as the cylinder boss, and the diam. of the hole. the same as the pin the cylinder rotates on.

    In all honesty, though, if the G/S notices almost no end-play, the cylinder is probably not out of spec. Difficult call. Have you performed a teardown, and cleared any old hardened cosmoline/varnish from the hammer/trigger areas? Just some random thoughts. Joe
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  • hrf
    There are Webley experts who frequent this board you might ask:
    http://forums.gunboards.com/forumdisplay.php?56-British-Gun-Pub
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  • captainbrittles
    hrf:

    Thanks for the link. I started a thread there and thanks to a lot of smart guys talking back, we solved the problem. The solution? Although represented as a gun still in original .455, the thing was actually shaved to take .45 ammo. Why it functioned so well on .455 for so long and still does in double action is a new mystery. Nonetheless, my perfect original Webley is, alas, neither perfect nor original. Thanks again.
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  • givette
    Well, Okay, I guess....

    I'm only as smart as the information provided. Actually, It's my fault for taking it at face value that it was unaltered. Had I known the [true status of the firearm], I can assure you that you would not have had to resort to seeking out the 'smart guys'.

    Best, Joe
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