Ok, so this is the main reason I even made an account. Basically my dad just got a new gun (mosin nagant m44) so while I was cleaning it I realized that the firing pin looked dirty and I couldn't wipe it off so I assumed that it was rust. My dad being skeptical decided to go and rub it down with some Brasso which I thought was completely stupid but I'm still new to shooting and so ismy dad(8 months). so my main concern is that the firing pin could be weakened and could possibly break while firing the gun and could be a saftey hazard. Please reply, I couldn't find this anywhere on the net!
Can Brasso be used on a firing pin?!?
- Thread starter Woozze
- Start date
Using Brasso for the purpose you described is not going to accomplish anything. It is a polish for soft metals. I would chuck it into a drill and squeeze it with a piece of 320 to 400 grit sandpaper while running the drill at a slow to medium speed. I don't think you are going to weaken it any at all this way but if you have any doubts about ANY of the parts on that gun replace them. They're available. I would also replace every spring on the gun.
Think about it, if Brasso weakened metal, why would they call it a " Metal Polish ", and it doesn't hurt anything if the steel firing pin is darkened. It is carbon steel, As long as it is not rusty / corroded just wipe it down and fly. but if your father wants to use Brasso on it, it will clean it but it is too mild to polish steel. , now go tell your dad that you are sorry for being a duffus and doubting his wisdom.armoredman
New member
Firing pin is a nice hard piece of steel - Brasso won't harm it at all. I think Mothers' Mag polish might do the trick, but generally I wouldn't bother, as long as the shank of the pin is smooth and not hanging up on the spring.
Gary L. Griffiths
New member
Yeah, that too! But the important thing is, you had a safety concern and asked about it. If you ever have another safety concern, don't hesitate to ask someone (this is an excellent place) about it.
Like we used to say in the Army, "The only stupid question is the one you don't ask!"
aarondhgraham
New member
Brasso does weaken Brass though,,,
There have been several threads here where knowledgable people have stated that the ammonia in Brasso can and does weaken brass.
It's no biggie when you're polishing Aunt Josephine's antique lamp,,,
It is a big thing when one adds it to their tumbler to make the brass shiny again.
I talked with a Ph.D. chemist here at my university,,,
Basically he confirmed what people had posted in these threads.
A one time use of Brasso will not do any serious damage to a brass cartridge,,,
But repeated use would weaken the metal enough to cause failure.
He told me it would inhibit the metal's ability to expand and contract quickly,,,
In short the brass would become very brittle as the ammonia goes into the molecular structure.
He strongly advised not to use it to polish cartridges,,,
Also not to use it to polish the frame of brass framed percussion revolvers.
I'm no metallurgist,,,
Nor do I play one on television,,,
But I will take his advise and not use it on my guns or cartridges.
Aarond
.
There have been several threads here where knowledgable people have stated that the ammonia in Brasso can and does weaken brass.
It's no biggie when you're polishing Aunt Josephine's antique lamp,,,
It is a big thing when one adds it to their tumbler to make the brass shiny again.
I talked with a Ph.D. chemist here at my university,,,
Basically he confirmed what people had posted in these threads.
A one time use of Brasso will not do any serious damage to a brass cartridge,,,
But repeated use would weaken the metal enough to cause failure.
He told me it would inhibit the metal's ability to expand and contract quickly,,,
In short the brass would become very brittle as the ammonia goes into the molecular structure.
He strongly advised not to use it to polish cartridges,,,
Also not to use it to polish the frame of brass framed percussion revolvers.
I'm no metallurgist,,,
Nor do I play one on television,,,
But I will take his advise and not use it on my guns or cartridges.
Aarond
.
aarondhgraham
New member
Hello icedog88,,,
He really didn't give me any parameters other than saying "Repeated use".
I just chose to never use it at all,,,
Which is a shame because it sure does work.
Aarond
.
He really didn't give me any parameters other than saying "Repeated use".
I just chose to never use it at all,,,
Which is a shame because it sure does work.
Aarond
.