1911 extra power firing pin spring - Page 2

dmazur · May 20, 2013, 11:45 PM

I believe there is another alternative for "drop safe" 1911's, and that is to install a titanium firing pin.

I don't know of any disadvantages. The advantage is that the lighter pin has less intertia, and so is less likely to set off a primer if the pistol is dropped on its muzzle (for 70 Series type 1911's without a firing pin block.)

And I think this works with the standard firing pin spring.

James K · May 21, 2013, 01:25 PM

Some light firing pins have given ignition problems. A certain amount of momentum is needed to fire a primer and some of the light firing pins didn't have it. Some owners installed heavier mainsprings, but that increased trigger pull or even slowed the slide, etc.

I have mentioned this before but when the Poles were working on the Radom, they used a FLGR. Then they found that the gun would fire if dropped on the muzzle, so they made the guide rod two piece with a spring, eliminating the problem. So, in addition to selling us another worthless gadget, the FLGR folks brought on us all those firing pin blocks and extra parts and horrible trigger pulls.

Jim

Hunter Customs · May 22, 2013, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Any suggestions of said pin lingering
long enough to cause a drag mark on the primer are far fetched.If the pin
remains off the breach face after fire it is most likely due to something other
than a weak spring,an obstruction of some sort yes but not a weak spring.

I've had guns on my bench that showed signs of the "far fetched" firing pin drag.
Removed the pin cleaned the tunnel in these guns, checked the pin in my lathe for trueness, put the gun back together, fired the gun and still had the tell tell tear drop indentation in the primer that's a sure sign of firing pin drag.

Took the gun back apart, installed an extra power firing pin spring, fired the gun and the primers showed a nice round indentation in the primer, gofigure.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com

polyphemus · May 22, 2013, 02:49 PM

"After reading this thread I have to assume no one here has ever experienced firing pin drag"
Speaking only for myself,I sure haven't but if someone here has then I'm sure
they would be happy to tell you so,that way you could at least cite some
anecdotal evidence.In the interim I will continue to agree with those who
explain that the only purpose of those extra heavy firing pin springs is to make
the gun more drop safe.By the way I have never even dropped any of my pistols
never mind nose first,so no xtra power springs for me.

RickB · May 22, 2013, 06:50 PM

Looking at the primers of the cases I'm handloading, I'd say firing pin drag may not be rampant, but there are clearly people in my area who are experiencing it. I've seen it in my own guns only in my 10mm, and the mods made (listed a few posts back) seem to have cured it.

polyphemus · May 22, 2013, 08:26 PM

" I've seen it in my own guns only in my 10mm,"
I was under the impression that this thread was about M1911 firing pin spring
isues.
Anyway,as I pointed out previously the M1911 firing pin is pushed back by the
cartridge upon firing,as the extractor holds the cartridge,the ejector flips it out
it does not drag it up the breech face.Something may be binding the firing pin
I don't doubt that,but I would like to see a picture of such indentation in a .45
ACP cartridge primer cap fired in an M1911.

RickB · May 23, 2013, 07:16 PM

The unlocking of the barrel drags the case head DOWN the breachface.

polyphemus · May 23, 2013, 09:04 PM

And so it would appear,it would be interesting though to see where this drag
mark exactly is.I am aware of what appears to be a double strike,this is a very
small dimple usually to the edge of the normal indent.A magnifying view of the
primer cap will show an impression of the breech face and this is due to higher
than normal power loads,I don't think this is an issue and definitely not a reason to replace the firing pin spring.Thanks for keeping me on my toes.

May 20, 2013, 11:45 PM	#26
dmazur Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2007 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 1,310	I believe there is another alternative for "drop safe" 1911's, and that is to install a titanium firing pin. I don't know of any disadvantages. The advantage is that the lighter pin has less intertia, and so is less likely to set off a primer if the pistol is dropped on its muzzle (for 70 Series type 1911's without a firing pin block.) And I think this works with the standard firing pin spring. __________________ .30-06 Springfield: 100 yrs + and still going strong

May 21, 2013, 01:25 PM	#27
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Some light firing pins have given ignition problems. A certain amount of momentum is needed to fire a primer and some of the light firing pins didn't have it. Some owners installed heavier mainsprings, but that increased trigger pull or even slowed the slide, etc. I have mentioned this before but when the Poles were working on the Radom, they used a FLGR. Then they found that the gun would fire if dropped on the muzzle, so they made the guide rod two piece with a spring, eliminating the problem. So, in addition to selling us another worthless gadget, the FLGR folks brought on us all those firing pin blocks and extra parts and horrible trigger pulls. Jim

May 22, 2013, 02:49 PM	#29
polyphemus Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2012 Posts: 1,055	"After reading this thread I have to assume no one here has ever experienced firing pin drag" Speaking only for myself,I sure haven't but if someone here has then I'm sure they would be happy to tell you so,that way you could at least cite some anecdotal evidence.In the interim I will continue to agree with those who explain that the only purpose of those extra heavy firing pin springs is to make the gun more drop safe.By the way I have never even dropped any of my pistols never mind nose first,so no xtra power springs for me.

May 22, 2013, 06:50 PM	#30
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	Looking at the primers of the cases I'm handloading, I'd say firing pin drag may not be rampant, but there are clearly people in my area who are experiencing it. I've seen it in my own guns only in my 10mm, and the mods made (listed a few posts back) seem to have cured it.

May 22, 2013, 08:26 PM	#31
polyphemus Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2012 Posts: 1,055	" I've seen it in my own guns only in my 10mm," I was under the impression that this thread was about M1911 firing pin spring isues. Anyway,as I pointed out previously the M1911 firing pin is pushed back by the cartridge upon firing,as the extractor holds the cartridge,the ejector flips it out it does not drag it up the breech face.Something may be binding the firing pin I don't doubt that,but I would like to see a picture of such indentation in a .45 ACP cartridge primer cap fired in an M1911.

May 23, 2013, 07:16 PM	#32
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	The unlocking of the barrel drags the case head DOWN the breachface.

May 23, 2013, 09:04 PM	#33
polyphemus Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2012 Posts: 1,055	And so it would appear,it would be interesting though to see where this drag mark exactly is.I am aware of what appears to be a double strike,this is a very small dimple usually to the edge of the normal indent.A magnifying view of the primer cap will show an impression of the breech face and this is due to higher than normal power loads,I don't think this is an issue and definitely not a reason to replace the firing pin spring.Thanks for keeping me on my toes.