I have a new 9mm autopistol that shows strange, 'smeared' primer strikes. Is this a problem? I (think I) have attached 2 images of what I'm talking about. This is factory ammo, and the pistol is squeaky clean and properly lubed. I have had no primer piercings nor failures, but I only have ~75 rounds through it so far.

Is this going to break the firing pin? It kind of looks like the barrel begins to tilt out of battery while the firing pin is still embedded in the primer. Help?

You called it right...barrel is unlocking while the pin is still forward (or in the act of retracting). Probably won't break the pin. Some guns are just prone to this "comma" dent, it's not unusual for guns that cycle fast to produce that mark.

IDeas:
1. Being "squeeky clean" and well lubed might be accelerating the unlocking....it will slow down when fouled and filthy.
2. If the firing pin retracting spring were a little heavier, it would retract the pin a bit faster....would also reduce the strike to the primer by a little bit.
3. A shorter firing pin isn't a great idea...going to invite misfiring somewhere down the line.
4. A stronger recoil spring might slow the slide enough.
5. Weaker ammo would probably not show the markings...but it might be moving in the wrong direction for serious defense use.

On the other hand, can just ignore it

Thanks for the reply, robbinstone, and for the move to the more appropriate forum.

I had hoped to ignore this condition, and am glad to have someone else's experience telling me I can. This is plain old American Eagle factory ammo, so I have no feel for how 'hot' it is other than that usually AE is at full pressure for me. We'll see how things look when I start to handload for it. Maybe the Berry's I just picked up cheap from Cabela's I can load down and see whether the odd strike marks go away...

I think Ribbonstone covered it all. The usual "cure" with a 1911 is a slightly heavier recoil spring and sometimes a switch to a lighter (titanium) firing pin.

I'm a brass scavenger and I've notices some .40S&W cases on the floor of our club range with the very same primer marks. I have no idea of who the guy is or what make pistol he's using, but I do know he's been using it for a couple of years!

Bud W

I've had a few that did that. Never did see any issues.

If this is a "I wish I was a CZ" I may still have the firing pin, and some recoil springs from wolff. But I'll have to rummage.

Nah, it's a Kahr. Thanks for the offer, though.