Replacing a firing pin.

Sidetracker · June 16, 2002, 05:36 PM

I have a SA Champion which has a titanium firing pin which I want to replace with a steel one. Is replacing a FP something I can do at home or should I have a gunsmith do this? I am thinking of using a Wilson "Bulletproof" pin and want to know if anyone has any experience with these or would you recommend another brand? Thanks.

George Stringer · June 17, 2002, 07:05 AM

Sidetracker, if you can disassemble and assemble the slide then you can replace the firing pin. Wilson parts are usually top of the line. I haven't used the bullet proof parts yet simply because no one has asked for them. George

Rocklobster · June 19, 2002, 08:21 PM

Want to swap your titanium pin for a new steel one?

Mike Baugh · June 21, 2002, 01:56 PM

I would get the Ed Brown firing pin over the Wilson. Brown makes a pin specifically for the Springfield, the Wilson is too small in tip diameter [IMHO]. Good luck, Mike...

Jim V · June 21, 2002, 07:21 PM

Remove the slide from the pistol, using a small punch depress the firing pin until you can slide the firing pin stop out of the slide, be careful the firing pin does not escape and hit you in the face. Remove the firing pin and its spring from the slide, pull the spring off the FP and replace it on the new FP. Slide the unit back in the FP tunnel, depress the FP so that you can start the stop back into place, slide the stop home, the FP should snap back into place.

SAFETY GLASSES should be worn.

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zot · June 22, 2002, 12:56 AM

wear eye protection.I put a heavy firing pin spring in a 1911, for a .45 Super try out,24 lb. or something near, was having miss fires , so removed firing pin plate and pin shot out into my head,
little damge done ,BUT if it was a eye?

Sidetracker · June 22, 2002, 02:26 AM

Thanks guys for the advice.
Mike Baugh
I looked on Ed Brown's web site and they have a special pin for SA 38 super's and 9mm's but it doesn't show one for .45acp. So I'm assuming their regular .45acp pin will work in a SA. I think I'll get in touch with them to make sure before ordering.
Jim V.
Thanks for the very instructive directions. That is the way I thought the pin was replaced, but having not done it before it's nice to know what I'm doing and that there won't be any surprises.
As far as glasses go, I'm very near sighted so I have no choice but to wear them.

Mike Baugh · June 22, 2002, 06:44 AM

Sidetracker

The Wilson pin measures .064 and the Brown pin for the Springfield measures .075 . The Brown pin you want is the #826, it also fits the 9mm/38s . Springfields use a 9mm/38S pin in their .45's, the Brown .45 pin will be too large as will the Wilson .45 pin, the Wilson 9mm/38s [.064 tip] pin is too small IMHO. Good luck, Mike...

Sidetracker · June 22, 2002, 08:30 AM

Thanks Mike for the explanation.

johnwill · June 22, 2002, 09:23 AM

Mike, good information about the firing pin of the Springfield, if I go to replace mine, that might be handy to know!

June 16, 2002, 05:36 PM	#1
Sidetracker Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2001 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 105	Replacing a firing pin. I have a SA Champion which has a titanium firing pin which I want to replace with a steel one. Is replacing a FP something I can do at home or should I have a gunsmith do this? I am thinking of using a Wilson "Bulletproof" pin and want to know if anyone has any experience with these or would you recommend another brand? Thanks. __________________ Those who don't read are no better off than those who can't.

June 21, 2002, 07:21 PM	#5
Jim V Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 1999 Location: SE Michigan - USA Posts: 4,038	Remove the slide from the pistol, using a small punch depress the firing pin until you can slide the firing pin stop out of the slide, be careful the firing pin does not escape and hit you in the face. Remove the firing pin and its spring from the slide, pull the spring off the FP and replace it on the new FP. Slide the unit back in the FP tunnel, depress the FP so that you can start the stop back into place, slide the stop home, the FP should snap back into place. SAFETY GLASSES should be worn. www.m1911.org www.1911forum.com __________________ *MOLON LABE* If it ain't metal, single stack & single action, it ain't a 1911 no matter what it looks like. 1911 Forum THE TUBBY CURMUDGEON

June 22, 2002, 02:26 AM	#7
Sidetracker Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2001 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 105	Thanks guys. Thanks guys for the advice. Mike Baugh I looked on Ed Brown's web site and they have a special pin for SA 38 super's and 9mm's but it doesn't show one for .45acp. So I'm assuming their regular .45acp pin will work in a SA. I think I'll get in touch with them to make sure before ordering. Jim V. Thanks for the very instructive directions. That is the way I thought the pin was replaced, but having not done it before it's nice to know what I'm doing and that there won't be any surprises. As far as glasses go, I'm very near sighted so I have no choice but to wear them. __________________ Those who don't read are no better off than those who can't.

June 22, 2002, 08:30 AM	#9
Sidetracker Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2001 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 105	Thanks Mike for the explanation. __________________ Those who don't read are no better off than those who can't.

June 22, 2002, 09:23 AM	#10
johnwill Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2000 Location: PA Posts: 3,451	Mike, good information about the firing pin of the Springfield, if I go to replace mine, that might be handy to know! __________________ I collect old pistols, got any?

June 17, 2002, 07:05 AM	#2
George Stringer Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Earlington KY Posts: 2,299	Sidetracker, if you can disassemble and assemble the slide then you can replace the firing pin. Wilson parts are usually top of the line. I haven't used the bullet proof parts yet simply because no one has asked for them. George

June 19, 2002, 08:21 PM	#3
Rocklobster Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2001 Location: Georgia Posts: 188	Want to swap your titanium pin for a new steel one?

June 21, 2002, 01:56 PM	#4
Mike Baugh Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 1998 Location: Indiana Posts: 405	I would get the Ed Brown firing pin over the Wilson. Brown makes a pin specifically for the Springfield, the Wilson is too small in tip diameter [IMHO]. Good luck, Mike...

June 22, 2002, 12:56 AM	#6
zot Senior Member Join Date: April 2, 1999 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 566	wear eye protection.I put a heavy firing pin spring in a 1911, for a .45 Super try out,24 lb. or something near, was having miss fires , so removed firing pin plate and pin shot out into my head, little damge done ,BUT if it was a eye?

June 22, 2002, 06:44 AM	#8
Mike Baugh Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 1998 Location: Indiana Posts: 405	Sidetracker The Wilson pin measures .064 and the Brown pin for the Springfield measures .075 . The Brown pin you want is the #826, it also fits the 9mm/38s . Springfields use a 9mm/38S pin in their .45's, the Brown .45 pin will be too large as will the Wilson .45 pin, the Wilson 9mm/38s [.064 tip] pin is too small IMHO. Good luck, Mike...