Umarex H&K P30 misfiring

[Genstabler]

I have a technical problem. I bought a used but mint P30 privately at a very good price. I have started plinking and am experiencing frequent misfires. They seem to only occur when I shoot single action and find the pellet partly emerges from the magazine and is misshapen on one side. It seems that the magazine and the barrel are not quite lining up all the time. As I say, if I fire double action the trigger seems to rotate the magazine properly, but if I cock the hammer, every two or three shots this happens.
Anyone else had a similar experience? Any suggestions from you experts out there?

[gingernut]

A known fault with Umarex models.

It’s usually the pawl that’s worn but can involve other parts.

Worth trying another magazine as a start in case it’s faulty.

You might get help on Umarex Boys Club Forum.

[Genstabler]

I contacted Umarex in Germany who replied very quickly and referred me to Bisley-UK, John Rothery, their UK reps. I contacted John Rothery and had a quick and very helpful response from a lady in their Sales Office. On their instructions I have taken the pistol to my local gun shop and Rothery will pick it up and look at it. So far I am very impressed with Umarex and their UK reps. Fingers crossed!

[Paul55]

That is a great result. Please keep us updated.

[Genstabler]

Just heard back from Bisley. They can’t locate a fault. They have fired 100 pellets through it single action without a misfire. They think the problem may lie with my choice of pellets and recommend Bisley Practice. I am sceptical as I tried a variety of pellets, domed and flathead, including Pro-Target Trophy, Milbro Caledonian and Excite Econ, all carefully seated and all with misfires. A mystery, but still very pleased with the helpfulness of Bisley and Umarex.

[Geezer]

Just heard back from Bisley. They can’t locate a fault. They have fired 100 pellets through it single action without a misfire. They think the problem may lie with my choice of pellets and recommend Bisley Practice. I am sceptical as I tried a variety of pellets, domed and flathead, including Pro-Target Trophy, Milbro Caledonian and Excite Econ, all carefully seated and all with misfires. A mystery, but still very pleased with the helpfulness of Bisley and Umarex.

I am sceptical. In my experience, the three main faults on Umarex pellet firers are (a) worn, broken or otherwise malfunctioning pawl; (b) broken trigger bar; (c) seals. Only seals are an easy fix.

And on the 1911 only, grip safety issues, given that they took John Browning's excellent firearm grip safety design and made it into a CO2 pistol design nightmare.

Failure fully to index the cylinder can also be a cylinder fault, perhaps that the teeth that engage the pawl are worn. There are definitely at least two types of cylinder "magazine", with different bigger teeth, which suggests an upgrade at some point to minimise malfunctions. But the mags with a P30, as a comparatively recent product, should be of the later and presumably improved type.