1911 firing pin question

slystad810 · January 18, 2006, 09:54 PM

I just finished reassembling my Springer Milspec, and I noticed that if I push the back of the firing pin flush with the firing pin stop, the end of the firing pin does not protrude through the firing pin hole. To get protrusion I must push it a little past the firing pin stop.

Is this normal?

Thanks!

Dave Haven · January 18, 2006, 10:23 PM

That's normal. The inertia of the firing pin carries it forward to fire the primer. It's designed that way for safety. You can carry the gun with a round in the chamber and the hammer down, and a blow to the hammer won't fire it.

**Unclenick** · January 19, 2006, 11:22 PM

Not just for safety (though that comes first; a doubling or trippling 1911 is a joy to hang on to)(don't ask how I know?). If the pin protruded when the hammer pushed it flush with the stop, it would come out and rub the back of a round coming up into battery. This would cause feeding problems as well as unintended ignitions.

Nick

rwilson452 · January 19, 2006, 11:43 PM

A test you can do on a true 1911 to test if it will fire.

1) ensure the pistol is unloaded. This is real important!

2) disengage the manual safety.

3)Cock the hammer.

4) Insert a #2 pencil eraser first down the barrel.

5) Point the pistol upward.

6) While gripping the pistol firmly to disengage the rest of the safeties. Pull the trigger.

The pencil should now be stuck in the ceiling.

**Unclenick** · January 19, 2006, 11:48 PM

Actually, this is an old dry-firing exercise. You put a miniature target up on the wall, stand a few inches back and let the pencil record impact points.

Nick

January 18, 2006, 09:54 PM	#1
slystad810 Senior Member Join Date: August 15, 2005 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 119	1911 firing pin question I just finished reassembling my Springer Milspec, and I noticed that if I push the back of the firing pin flush with the firing pin stop, the end of the firing pin does not protrude through the firing pin hole. To get protrusion I must push it a little past the firing pin stop. Is this normal? Thanks!

January 19, 2006, 11:43 PM	#4
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	fireing pin test A test you can do on a true 1911 to test if it will fire. 1) ensure the pistol is unloaded. This is real important! 2) disengage the manual safety. 3)Cock the hammer. 4) Insert a #2 pencil eraser first down the barrel. 5) Point the pistol upward. 6) While gripping the pistol firmly to disengage the rest of the safeties. Pull the trigger. The pencil should now be stuck in the ceiling.

January 18, 2006, 10:23 PM	#2
Dave Haven Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2000 Location: near Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 790	That's normal. The inertia of the firing pin carries it forward to fire the primer. It's designed that way for safety. You can carry the gun with a round in the chamber and the hammer down, and a blow to the hammer won't fire it.

January 19, 2006, 11:22 PM	#3
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	Not just for safety (though that comes first; a doubling or trippling 1911 is a joy to hang on to)(don't ask how I know?). If the pin protruded when the hammer pushed it flush with the stop, it would come out and rub the back of a round coming up into battery. This would cause feeding problems as well as unintended ignitions. Nick

January 19, 2006, 11:48 PM	#5
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	Actually, this is an old dry-firing exercise. You put a miniature target up on the wall, stand a few inches back and let the pencil record impact points. Nick