S&W Model 3 , problems with firing.

[Tubac]

I took my model three out to the range, and had a perplexing problem.
I was shooting my own reloads. and 1/3 of them missfired. When I looked at the cartridges, they all had
a slight dimple in the primer. I loaded them in my Remington New Army .44 Russian conversion and they all fired. To be honest the Remington has one heck of a hammer fall, and put a nice big dimple in the primers.
I loaded these all at one time, using new starline brass, Schuetzen powder, and one box of Winchester primers.
Could the firing pin be too worn, the spring not strong enough, bad primers?
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Tubac

[Rapid Lee]

Also, if you're shooting a New Model #3, most have a rebounding hammer and the mainspring tension will have to be just right in order for it to work properly.  Good luck with that...I have one that I could only resolve by swapping mainsprings with a target model (which don't have that confounded rebounding hammer).

Rapid

[Tubac]

Joss, thanks for the help. The pistol left the factory in 1880, so it's had a few rounds fired through it.
The top latch had play, so tighted the screw after applying some loctite. Fires consistantly now.
I saw the price of the new model 3's at Taylors. $940 seems a little steep, but what do I know.
Thanks again,

Tubac