Replacing firing pin

L. Boscoe · February 18, 2022, 10:15 PM

Ok, I got it out, no prob. Putting it back reminds me of the story about sticking a wet noodle up a wildcats rear end.
I saw the videos- looks like video magic. I get the damn pin in but cannot get it to snap back into the retainer.
Any wisdom here?

( on a 1911 A1 Springfield 45.)

BornFighting88 · February 19, 2022, 09:52 AM

Maybe depress. It with a pin punch and wiggle the retainer while slowly letting off of the firing pin to see if you can guide it into place. Pictures help.

I replaced the firing pin on my Kimber a year or two ago and it was very simple. Mind you, I might have a different series than you. But I had no problems.

std7mag · February 19, 2022, 10:10 AM

A good vice that hold it securely allowing you use of both hands helps greatly!

I'll have to get my friend to try the noodle & wildcat trick!
I like my blood on the inside!

L. Boscoe · February 19, 2022, 10:34 AM

thanks guys-the vice I think will work.

**Aguila Blanca** · February 19, 2022, 12:28 PM

If a 1911 firing pin has been depressed enough to allow installing the firing pin retainer, and then the firing pin won't pop back out to engage the retainer -- something is wrong and a vise is likely NOT going to fix it.

Your pistol is a Springfield Armory. Springfield, for their own reasons, uses a proprietary firing pin diameter -- the tip is larger than what the rest of the industry uses for 9mm and .38 Super, and smaller than what the rest of the industry uses for .45 ACP. If you didn't buy the SA-specific firing pin, there's a very high possibility that your firing pin is wedged in the hole in the breech face. Even if you DID buy a firing pin that's supposed to be for Springfields, it may still be a tad too large and might require polishing with emery cloth to reduce the diameter of the tip just a smidge.

Scorch · February 19, 2022, 04:13 PM

Most common reason for a firing pin not popping back into the plate if you have a Series 80 type is the firing pin safety is holding onto it. Push the firing pin safety up and you will hear it click back into place.

If you have a series 70 type without the firing pin block, try moving the plate up and back until the firing pin pops back out.

**Unclenick** · February 20, 2022, 04:57 PM

Unless it has changed since I bought one back about 1990, the SA A-1 will not have the Series 80 type firing pin safety. Also, it sounds like he is replacing, as in putting back together, not as in putting a new part in place. If I have that right, it should go back together.

One question I have is whether you dry-fired the hammer against the slide with the firing pin and firing pin stop removed? Doing so can peen the metal around the mouth of the firing pin tunnel enough to cause problems with either insertion or popping out. If you did that, you will need to use a drill bit or a reamer or a tapered reamer, or a burr remover to clean up the mouth of the tunnel.

Hold the slide so you can confirm that you got the extractor in where it causes no interference with slipping the firing pin stop into place. If in doubt, just pop the extractor out and see if that lets you seat the firing pin properly. If so, you likely had the extractor turned a little counterclockwise.

L. Boscoe · February 21, 2022, 10:19 PM

took it to a gunsmith who builds custom 1911's that sell
in the $3-4K range. He said he would do a complete teardown and if anything was needed he would tell me in addition to replacing the titanium firing pin and spring with what he recommends.
He showed me a 1911 in 9mm that had a 3 inch group at 50 yards, one that he built. I saw the target.
Talk about luck finding him!

February 18, 2022, 10:15 PM	#1
L. Boscoe Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 2021 Posts: 285	Replacing firing pin Ok, I got it out, no prob. Putting it back reminds me of the story about sticking a wet noodle up a wildcats rear end. I saw the videos- looks like video magic. I get the damn pin in but cannot get it to snap back into the retainer. Any wisdom here? ( on a 1911 A1 Springfield 45.)

February 19, 2022, 10:10 AM	#3
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	A good vice that hold it securely allowing you use of both hands helps greatly! I'll have to get my friend to try the noodle & wildcat trick! I like my blood on the inside! __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...

February 19, 2022, 10:34 AM	#4
L. Boscoe Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 2021 Posts: 285	Replacing firing pin thanks guys-the vice I think will work.

February 19, 2022, 12:28 PM	#5
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,460	If a 1911 firing pin has been depressed enough to allow installing the firing pin retainer, and then the firing pin won't pop back out to engage the retainer -- something is wrong and a vise is likely NOT going to fix it. Your pistol is a Springfield Armory. Springfield, for their own reasons, uses a proprietary firing pin diameter -- the tip is larger than what the rest of the industry uses for 9mm and .38 Super, and smaller than what the rest of the industry uses for .45 ACP. If you didn't buy the SA-specific firing pin, there's a very high possibility that your firing pin is wedged in the hole in the breech face. Even if you DID buy a firing pin that's supposed to be for Springfields, it may still be a tad too large and might require polishing with emery cloth to reduce the diameter of the tip just a smidge. __________________ NRA Life Member / Certified Instructor NRA Chief RSO / CMP RSO 1911 Certified Armorer Jeepaholic

February 19, 2022, 04:13 PM	#6
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Most common reason for a firing pin not popping back into the plate if you have a Series 80 type is the firing pin safety is holding onto it. Push the firing pin safety up and you will hear it click back into place. If you have a series 70 type without the firing pin block, try moving the plate up and back until the firing pin pops back out. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

February 19, 2022, 09:52 AM	#2
BornFighting88 Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2021 Posts: 455	Maybe depress. It with a pin punch and wiggle the retainer while slowly letting off of the firing pin to see if you can guide it into place. Pictures help. I replaced the firing pin on my Kimber a year or two ago and it was very simple. Mind you, I might have a different series than you. But I had no problems.

February 20, 2022, 04:57 PM	#7
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,061	Unless it has changed since I bought one back about 1990, the SA A-1 will not have the Series 80 type firing pin safety. Also, it sounds like he is replacing, as in putting back together, not as in putting a new part in place. If I have that right, it should go back together. One question I have is whether you dry-fired the hammer against the slide with the firing pin and firing pin stop removed? Doing so can peen the metal around the mouth of the firing pin tunnel enough to cause problems with either insertion or popping out. If you did that, you will need to use a drill bit or a reamer or a tapered reamer, or a burr remover to clean up the mouth of the tunnel. Hold the slide so you can confirm that you got the extractor in where it causes no interference with slipping the firing pin stop into place. If in doubt, just pop the extractor out and see if that lets you seat the firing pin properly. If so, you likely had the extractor turned a little counterclockwise. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

February 21, 2022, 10:19 PM	#8
L. Boscoe Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 2021 Posts: 285	Replacing firing pin took it to a gunsmith who builds custom 1911's that sell in the $3-4K range. He said he would do a complete teardown and if anything was needed he would tell me in addition to replacing the titanium firing pin and spring with what he recommends. He showed me a 1911 in 9mm that had a 3 inch group at 50 yards, one that he built. I saw the target. Talk about luck finding him!