Bolt/Head Spacing questions on my M44s

[breastman]

I've been inspecting my M44s and I found that both seem to have excessive firing pin portrusion. I tested the firing pin on some blank cartridges (empty unfired Albanian 7.62X54R cases with primer only and no bullet), and the dimple seemed kind of deep; I compared them to the once fired cartridges from my M39 and the dimple was visually deeper. I took appart the bolts and turned the firing pins in 1/2 turn, and then tested them again, and now the primer dimple matches almost exactly to the one from my M39. I've never done any work on my MNs before, but after reading the M44 manual, I decided to experiment, and these rifles are very simple to work on.
HOWEVER, here's the question, is it true that incorrect firing pin portrusion is a sign of possible headspacing problems? I read that in one of the forum links to Mosin-Nagant.net.
ANOTHER Question:
On my laminated 1944 M44 in addition to the firing pin portrusion (which was exactly to the portrusion of the 1946 in-wrap M44), I also noticed that the extractor does not grab tight on the cartridge rim, is this normal or acceptable?
Has anyone had any major safety or Head Spacing problems with you MNs or M44s from AIM (Century)?
I was told that these guns were test fired, but I just want to be safe since I hope to take these babies to the range soon.
FYI: These M44s appear to be in great shape, and have All Matching numbers including bolts, but I want to know what to look for in Safety for shooting purposes.
Thanks in advance, I appreciate all the help I can get.

Sincerely,
Breastman.

[Schuetzenman]

Were the firing pins lined up with the mark on the cocking piece as they came to you? Did any of the firing pins pierce the primers, that is put a hole in one? If not, I wouldn't worry about it.

If your extractors don't hold the rounds super tight I wouldn't worry about it either. In fact if you use the Albanian brass cased 54R ammo it's a pluss because these rounds have fat rims.

The only signs of excessive headspace that matter are case seperation in a rimmed cartridge. I don't personally believe that any conclusion can be made by the way the firing pins were set in your rifles initially.

Have you fired a live round yet in these weapons? I'd be very surprised if they have any issues out of the norm for Mosin's.

[REDSTAR]

Good advice as usual by shuetzenman.

I just wanted to add that you can get the little wrench/screwdriver looking tool that has slots in the side which act as gauges to test firing pin protrusion.

[telsonman]

just make sure that the lines on the back of the cocking piece line up with the line on the firing pin when its screwed in, and MAKE SURE THAT THE FIRING PIN IS FLUSH WITH THE BACK OF THE COCKING PIECE!!! that will be a must in order to get away from FP protrusion. if theres all matching (stamped, not stenciled) numbers, then there shouldnt be a problem with headspacing. get a Q-tip and soak the tip in mineral spirits(paint thinner) and rub under the extractor tip, as there is probably gunk under there.

all in all you should be fine.


jeff

[breastman]

Thanks again, great help from all. I haven't fired any live rounds with any of these guns, but I hope to take them to the range this weekend. The primers were not pierced by the original firing pin setting, but I turned them down (screw in) a little bit just to experiment and compare to my M39s firing pin setting (which fires very well). As received, the lines in the back of the bolt (firing pin) were lined up and flush with the bolt, with my adjustment they are also lined up and when test fired, the guns functions well. I'll get one of those MNs cleaning kits form TAPCO and double check on the FP portrusion with the tool. Thank a lot everybody, and good shooting to you.

Sincerely,
Breastman.