Winchester 1200 firing pin "new style"

dogfood · April 15, 2014, 07:28 PM

I have a Winchester 1200 (actually a Ranger 120, but the same animal for this discussion) with a broken firing pin. It's what I've learned is the "new style" for shotguns made after s/n 400,00 or so - and mine is in the 3,000,000 range.

As opposed to the old style, this firing pin has a series of deep, narrow grooves machined into it at the hammer-striking end - and for the life of me, I can't figure out why. Perhaps it's a weight reduction concept, but it really doesn't remove that much weight. What it does accomplish, however, is in creating stress riser areas in the bottoms of the grooves, which make the pins prone to cracking ... as mine did.

For reference, here's a picture of what I have:

http://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/...rod/U122302130

Anyone know why Winchester changed to this style of firing pin, why the grooves are there and/or whether I can use the old style firing pin in its place?

Thanks,
dogfood

Dixie Gunsmithing · April 16, 2014, 01:06 PM

It supposed to be self cleaning, in that it will scrape the firing pin bore in the bolt clean. The rings also lessen the mass too.

April 15, 2014, 07:28 PM	#1
dogfood Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2004 Location: Southwestern OH Posts: 239	Winchester 1200 firing pin "new style" I have a Winchester 1200 (actually a Ranger 120, but the same animal for this discussion) with a broken firing pin. It's what I've learned is the "new style" for shotguns made after s/n 400,00 or so - and mine is in the 3,000,000 range. As opposed to the old style, this firing pin has a series of deep, narrow grooves machined into it at the hammer-striking end - and for the life of me, I can't figure out why. Perhaps it's a weight reduction concept, but it really doesn't remove that much weight. What it does accomplish, however, is in creating stress riser areas in the bottoms of the grooves, which make the pins prone to cracking ... as mine did. For reference, here's a picture of what I have: http://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/...rod/U122302130 Anyone know why Winchester changed to this style of firing pin, why the grooves are there and/or whether I can use the old style firing pin in its place? Thanks, dogfood

April 16, 2014, 01:06 PM	#2
Dixie Gunsmithing Moderator Emeritus Join Date: April 27, 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,923	It supposed to be self cleaning, in that it will scrape the firing pin bore in the bolt clean. The rings also lessen the mass too.