Fabrique Nationale Hi Power problem

[Guy Fawkes]

I bought a surplus Hi Power from a member on this site. I took it to the range today for the first time. I started with one box of blazer ammo and for several 13rd mags the pistol functioned good. But then a problem started and got worse. I would fire the pistol and the next round would camber, the hammer would cock, but then I pulled the trigger and the hammer would not drop? This started happening over and over again till I stopped and went home. At that time I was using Monarch ammo. A few times I was able to release the trigger and pull again and pistol fired. But that only worked several times. Anybody have an idea what the problem is?

 

[Kar98]

using Monarch ammo.

 

[TexasBrandon]

Monarch ammo has been some of the worst stuff I have ever experienced across about 7 of my firearms. I'd use some quality ammo again and see what happens.

 

[Guy Fawkes]

Monarch the problem. Why would the hammer not drop with the Monarch ammo?

 

[Guy Fawkes]

I will go back to the range and shoot another box of blazer and see what happens.

 

[TexasBrandon]

Are you sure the hammer was all the way back? I'm not familiar with too many non-striker handguns outside of 1911s and Desert/Baby Eagles. My initial thought was the ammo was ejecting but not throwing the slide all the way back.

 

[grasshopperglock]

Monarch the problem. Why would the hammer not drop with the Monarch ammo?

Field strip it and check for cosmoline. If you see any anywhere, wash it out with carb cleaner, mineral spirits, or soak it in gasoline.

Check for any damage or stuck parts in the fire control group. (Trigger and the linkage).

 

[F350-6]

Agree check for any buildup of grease or wax. Next time the hammer won't drop, take a look, making sure to keep the pistol pointed downrange the whole time. If the hammer all the way back? Is the slide all the way forward? Did the trigger return to the normal position?

 

[Guy Fawkes]

Guys thanks for the advice. I will report back what happens.

 

[Guy Fawkes]

Just got back from the range and problem is worse. Hi power is a single shot pistol now. I didn't notice any cosmoline in it. I cleaned pistol before the 1st time I shot it. Now the problem is doing it with bazer ammo. It looks like after I fire the 1st shot that the hammer is all the way back, slide all the way forward, and trigger appears to be in normal position.
I going to take it to Dury's Guns to look at it.

 

[Vaquero]

Magazine disconnect is my guess.

 

[Guy Fawkes]

I tried 2 different mags on it. I tried a surplus mag and one browning factory mag. They both worked fine when gun was working. maybe needs a new disconnector??

 

[Vaquero]

I tried 2 different mags on it. I tried a surplus mag and one browning factory mag. They both worked fine when gun was working. maybe needs a new disconnector??

That's where I'd look first.
Or do a delete on the disconnect.

 

[ZX9RCAM]

That's where I'd look first.
Or do a delete on the disconnect.

I thought the delete was a typical mod?

 

[Moonpie]

Does the gun function correctly when empty cycling?
Manually cycling and snapping.

 

[Vaquero]

I thought the delete was a typical mod?

It is.
Could'a been done by a hack though.

 

[Guy Fawkes]

Does the gun function correctly when empty cycling?
Manually cycling and snapping.

yes it does.

 

[Moonpie]

yes it does.

Load and fire.
Carefully watch the position of the safety lever before and after the shot.
Does it move during recoil?
Does the safety lever switch positions positively?
Any chance your bumping the lever with finger during recoil?

 

[ZX9RCAM]

Are you a lefty?

 

[Guy Fawkes]

Load and fire.
Carefully watch the position of the safety lever before and after the shot.
Does it move during recoil?
Does the safety lever switch positions positively?
Any chance your bumping the lever with finger during recoil?

I don't think so. I shot maybe 3 13 rd mags through it in the beginning and everything was fine then it started having problems.