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Firing pin material (Read 3822 times)

jhm Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2035 Location: georgia Joined: Sep 4^th, 2011	Firing pin material Jul 4^th, 2021 at 10:34pm	Print Post
	What is the best material for firing pins that is durable and does not require heat treatment? JMH


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Schuetzendave Frequent Elocutionist Offline Retired Ex-Shooter Posts: 4232 Location: St. Albert, Alberta Joined: Jan 28^th, 2005	Re: Firing pin material Reply #1 - Jul 4^th, 2021 at 11:03pm	Print Post
	The Miller DeHaas action uses Lyman depriming pins as a firing pin. Have seen many firing pins machined from super hard concrete nails.


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oldman46 Senior Forum Member Offline Posts: 424 Joined: Sep 21^st, 2016	Re: Firing pin material Reply #2 - Jul 4^th, 2021 at 11:50pm	Print Post
	S7 makes good firing pins, also grade 8 bolts. Frank


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bpjack Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 3780 Location: East Olympia, WA Joined: May 18^th, 2008	Re: Firing pin material Reply #3 - Jul 4^th, 2021 at 11:57pm	Print Post
	Many moons ago, I bought a paint can full of bolts, washers, rivets, etc. from Boeing surplus when they had a retail store in Kent. Some of the aircraft-grade bolts are the perfect diameter for a Stevens 44 firing pin. I have been using one for a few years with a spare in my toolbox. Jack


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ballardhepburnmich ASSRA Board Member Offline Posts: 598 Location: Scotts,mi. Joined: May 20^th, 2015	Re: Firing pin material Reply #4 - Jul 5^th, 2021 at 12:40am	Print Post
	Drill rod makes wonderful firing pins. Lee Gibbs pres.ASSRA


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gwahir Senior Forum Member Offline Ve gets too soon olt und too late shmart. Posts: 452 Location: montana Joined: Dec 31^st, 2005	Re: Firing pin material Reply #5 - Jul 5^th, 2021 at 2:01am	Print Post
	I use sixteenth inch dowel pins.


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westerner Frequent Elocutionist Offline deleted posts and threads record holder. Posts: 12333 Location: Why, out West of course Joined: May 29^th, 2006	Re: Firing pin material Reply #6 - Jul 5^th, 2021 at 2:07am	Print Post
	Music wire.

	A blind squirrel runs into a tree every once in a while.
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Grumpy gumpy Full Member Offline Posts: 214 Location: australia Joined: Jul 6^th, 2016	Re: Firing pin material Reply #7 - Jul 5^th, 2021 at 2:58am	Print Post
	Just adding a "pin" to an existing one, music wire or decapping pin, making the whole shaped pin a grade 8 bolt (will need hardening) or a piece of drill rod/silver steel( hardening again) Gumpy


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Grumpy gumpy Full Member Offline Posts: 214 Location: australia Joined: Jul 6^th, 2016	Re: Firing pin material Reply #8 - Jul 5^th, 2021 at 2:59am	Print Post
	Should add that general hardening can be done with a cheap butane torch from the hardware store Gumpy


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cuslog Senior Forum Member Offline Posts: 263 Location: Calgary, Alberta Joined: Dec 29^th, 2011	Re: Firing pin material Reply #9 - Jul 5^th, 2021 at 10:44am	Print Post
	I've used an appropriately sized drill bit shank in the body of a highwall firing pin. Grind the broken bit off flush, drill through the remaining body. Don't remember how I secured it - Loctite maybe ? Soft solder, Silver solder ? Been 3 or 4 years now.


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JLouis Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 10625 Joined: Apr 8^th, 2009	Re: Firing pin material Reply #10 - Jul 5^th, 2021 at 10:45am	Print Post
	A Grade 8 bolt and it doesn't need any hardening. If you can find an old engine head bolt all the better. Its been through several heat cycles and should also be stress releaved. Nominal Range Size 1/4" thru 1-1/2" Mechanical Properties Proof Load 120,000 (psi) Min. Yield Strength 130,000 (psi) Min. Tensile Strength 150,000 (psi)

	" It Is Better To Now Have Been A Has Been Than A Never Was Or A Wanna Be "
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JLouis Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 10625 Joined: Apr 8^th, 2009	Re: Firing pin material Reply #11 - Jul 5^th, 2021 at 12:08pm	Print Post
	The number one mistake most people make when making a firing pin is to have it too hard. They break. They need to be TOUGH, not hard. And why one does not want to harden a firing pin unless it is also being drawn back before it is being used.

	" It Is Better To Now Have Been A Has Been Than A Never Was Or A Wanna Be "
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jfeldman ASSRA Board Member Offline Posts: 1120 Location: Imperial Beach, Ca Joined: Nov 5^th, 2005	Re: Firing pin material Reply #12 - Jul 5^th, 2021 at 6:31pm	Print Post
	A friend who does gunsmithing long ago advised me to get a socket head bolt of the right approximate size and turn it down for a firing pin - no heat treat needed. It's been in the rifle for about 20 years now. Regards, Joe


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Grumpy gumpy Full Member Offline Posts: 214 Location: australia Joined: Jul 6^th, 2016	Re: Firing pin material Reply #13 - Jul 5^th, 2021 at 7:15pm	Print Post
	JLouis wrote on Jul 5^th, 2021 at 10:45am: A Grade 8 bolt and it doesn't need any hardening. If you can find an old engine head bolt all the better. Its been through several heat cycles and should also be stress releaved. Nominal Range Size 1/4" thru 1-1/2" Mechanical Properties Proof Load 120,000 (psi) Min. Yield Strength 130,000 (psi) Min. Tensile Strength 150,000 (psi) Harding , to me , also includes tempering, to get a consistent strength throughout the material (unless case hardening), you do what you like, I’ll do what I was taught by people who’s opinions and knowledge I respect Gumpy


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jhm Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2035 Location: georgia Joined: Sep 4^th, 2011	Re: Firing pin material Reply #14 - Jul 5^th, 2021 at 8:32pm	Print Post
	Thanks everyone. I have a friend who has a first model 1873 Win. and the tip is broken. He can't find one and he ask me to make him one. It is a LONG firing pin so wasn't sure what matl. to use. Sounds like a grade 8 bolt is the way to go. JMH


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