myorke Posted December 29, 2001 Share Posted December 29, 2001 Hi, While sorting my brass today I noticed that my firing pin strikes look just a little shallow. I'm running a 17# main spring which I believe is heavy enough even for duty carry. (That being said, I've been considering trying out a 15# main spring.) I'm also running a titanium firing pin. I'm thinking that because of it's lighter weight, the pin doesn't have the inertia to make the "deeper" dent in the primer. Has anyone else noticed this? I haven't had any problems yet but I'm wondering if I should considered a reduced power firing ping spring. Any thoughts? Thanks! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2alpha Posted January 2, 2002 Share Posted January 2, 2002 Titanium firing pin is probably your problem, proved to cause more problems than they were supposed to fix so they're not used by comp shooters anymore. They seem to have reared their ugly head again though as some manufactuers are putting them in 1911's to pass the CA drop test. Don't even think of putting a reduced power firing pin spring in!!! JJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myorke Posted January 2, 2002 Author Share Posted January 2, 2002 Quote: from 2alpha on 10:13 pm on Jan. 1, 2002 Don't even think of putting a reduced power firing pin spring in!!! JJ Thanks 2alpha! I'm curious, what are the implications of a reduced power firing pin spring? I would think that this wouldn't be a problem. Please "school" me. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2alpha Posted January 3, 2002 Share Posted January 3, 2002 The firing pin spring is a safety device of sorts. It prevents the firing pin from contacting the primer unless driven forward by the hammer. It helps in preventing the pistol from firing if dropped while loaded. Pre 80 series of course. I don't think there is anything to gain by going to a light firing pin spring but some possible liabilities. JJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Detlef Posted January 4, 2002 Share Posted January 4, 2002 hmmm I beg to differ on this subject. Maybe my assumptions are wrong but *assuming* that the hammer hits the firing pin with the same force for the same amount of time for both the steel and Ti pin, *then* the pin will travel with the *same* momentum (mass times velocity) irrespective of its material. The Ti pin now travels faster. *Assuming* that what matters when it hits the primer is its *energy* (mass times velocity^2), then the Ti pin actually impacts with *more* energy than the steel pin, leading to *more reliable* ignition! So, myorke, the exact opposite of what you think is the case! I have used a Ti firing pin with great success for 140k rds in my Para. It had one serious problem in that it is not as strong as the steel pin, and when I initially ran it with the stock mainspring (23 # I think), it got bent over time. After I had figured it out, it ran the next 138k rds with a 17 lb main spring w/o trouble. Does it make a difference? All I can say is that lock time (between pulling trigger and ignition) *is* significant (many ms), and, at least in theory, any reduction in lock time would be beneficial. Would I be able to tell the difference if you were gonna swap my pin against a steel one? Never! --Detlef Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myorke Posted January 4, 2002 Author Share Posted January 4, 2002 Quote: from Detlef on 10:37 am on Jan. 4, 2002 ...then the Ti pin actually impacts with *more* energy than the steel pin, leading to *more reliable* ignition! So, myorke, the exact opposite of what you think is the case! Detlef, I would agree with all that you've said up until the point where the firing pin actually hits the primer. At that instant, the object in motion will start to experience negative acceleration (e.g. deceleration). Titanium may have greater energy just before it hits the primer but this energy, I suspect, is diminished *much* quicker than that of a steel firing pin once it makes contact with the primer. My concern is that I may not have enough inertia/energy to dent the primer and cause ignition. Again, I haven't experienced this yet, but I'm keeping my eyes open. My only concern is that I may run into a problem if I lighten the mainspring further. And to combat this, maybe a lighter firing ping spring might help out. I dunno. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singlestack Posted January 4, 2002 Share Posted January 4, 2002 I never had a light strike using a 18lb mainspring and steel firing pins, but when I switched to a Ti pin I had 3 light strikes in the first mag. This was on Winchester LPPs. I use steel now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benos Posted January 5, 2002 Share Posted January 5, 2002 I was going to stay out of this one, but now it's gettin' too fun. I'm wondering if the "problem" is really one of a combination of all the factors, not just the firing pins calculated energy. Maybe it's like the "soda straw through a telephone pole" analogy. Until the soda straw hits tornado winds type velocity, it will have little effect penetrating the mighty telephone pole. The tough ol' nail, however, will drive into the pole at relatively low velocities. It seems as if the variables of the speed and mass of the straw, and the resistance offered by the pole must be considered? be Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Detlef Posted January 5, 2002 Share Posted January 5, 2002 as I said in my disclaimer, I didn't spend much thought on this. Is it common knowledge that Ti pins lead to poor ignition? I mean three light strikes is not what I call striking evidence... --Detlef Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2alpha Posted January 5, 2002 Share Posted January 5, 2002 Theories are great but I bet if you poll the top smiths the majority would say stay away from the TI firing pin in a 1911. JJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singlestack Posted January 5, 2002 Share Posted January 5, 2002 It was "striking" enough for me when I had never had a problem before. I guess I could have given the ti striker a chanch to screw up a match for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benos Posted January 8, 2002 Share Posted January 8, 2002 After switching to Ti - three light strikes on the first mag, after never having a light hit. That'd be enough for me. be Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Dedmon Posted January 8, 2002 Share Posted January 8, 2002 Quote: from 2alpha on 3:07 am on Jan. 5, 2002 Theories are great but I bet if you poll the top smiths the majority would say stay away from the TI firing pin in a 1911. I agree with you JJ. My gunsmith told me "NO Titanium firing pins". The only titanium parts he uses in his set up is, hammer strut, mainspring cap & STI trigger with titanium bows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sierra136 Posted January 8, 2002 Share Posted January 8, 2002 I guess if it works it works and if not. . . I used a titanium firing pin in my Glock 22 with a stock spring until I wore it out. Afterward, I installed a skeletonized steel pin that is still in use. (Roughly, 20,000 rounds total and zero misfires.) For me, it improved my Glock's trigger more than anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singlestack Posted January 9, 2002 Share Posted January 9, 2002 How does a "skeletonized" striker affect the trigger pull in a Glock? IMO all it will do is reduce lock time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2alpha Posted January 9, 2002 Share Posted January 9, 2002 A Glock is not a 1911!!! Very different firing pin, ti might be ok in a Glock but still not for me. JJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErikW Posted January 9, 2002 Share Posted January 9, 2002 I think the Glock firing pin moves into position as the trigger is pulled. That's how you could get a better pull from a lighter striker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nolan Posted January 12, 2002 Share Posted January 12, 2002 Quote: from benos on 5:05 pm on Jan. 4, 2002 . Maybe it's like the "soda straw through a telephone pole" analogy. Until the soda straw hits tornado winds type velocity, it will have little effect penetrating the mighty telephone pole. The tough ol' nail, however, will drive into the pole at relatively low velocities. It seems as if the variables of the speed and mass of the straw, and the resistance offered by the pole must be considered? be Brian, I grew up in Tornado country (western Kansas). The secret to the soda straw through the telephone pole lies not in the velocity of the straw. It is the cyclonic wind twisting the fibers of the telephone pole opening them up allowing the straw to enter to be trapped when the winds pass on. There's no place like home (click, click) there's no place like home (click, click) there's no place like home (click, click) That's why I live California! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlp40cal Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 use light firing pin spring for ti its so light heaver spring slows it down causes light strike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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