Firing Pin Drag

T

Tinbucket

New member
My Kimber Ultra Carry II has a bit of firing pin drag.
The tip,of the firing pin is leaving just a small ding right, at the edge of the firing pin crater.
Would you send it back or, replace recoil spring or what?
What is the standard on thsi if there is one?
 
"Primer wipe" is a teardrop-shaped firing pin impression, accompanied by a drag mark (scratch or gouge) following the "point" of the teardrop and leading away from the primer, sometimes into the brass. This is because the firing pin does not fully retract after the round has fired and the slide is traveling back during ejection, causing the case to drag across the firing pin as it is thrown clear. It is not in any way harmful, except sometimes to the case if the primer pocket edge is gouged. Kahr will tell you it is a normal condition for their pistols, even saying so in the owner's manual. http://s338.photobucket.com/user/joe1944usa/media/Firearms%20%20and%20%20Reloading/PrimeWipe.jpg.html
 
Were it mine, I would lose no sleep at all over it and would not send it back. What you are seeing is quite common, to a greater or lesser extent depending on a variety of factors, with semi-auto pistols, no matter the manufacturer. It is as explained by 243win. Extra power firing pin springs will alleviate, but normally not completely do away with, the firing pin dragging on the expended primer.
 
because the firing pin does not fully retract after the round has fired and the slide is traveling back during ejection, causing the case to drag across the firing pin as it is thrown clear. It is not in any way harmful,
Click to expand...

The drag comes during the unlocking of the tilt barrel, ejection has nothing to do with it.

For some guns, its normal. I have a Sig that does it. A 1911A1 shouldn't do it, but unless it interferes with function, its not an issue.

Clean the firingpin, and channel. Look at the spring, it should be longer than the firing pin, if not, replace it immediately.
 
Compact guns likely to suffer, due to the light slide and short springs.
I've seen it mostly in 1911s chambered for high(er) pressure cartridges like 10mm and .45 Super.
 
.44 AMP wrote, "Look at the spring, it should be longer than the firing pin,...

Huh? I don't think I have ever seen a 1911 firing pin spring that was longer than the firing pin; are you sure that is what you mean?

Jim
 
Extends beyond the tip of the pin when mounted, probably?
Click to expand...

Yes, this. Sorry Jim, for not being more clear. Of course, I knew what I was talking about. :o

With the spring assembled on the firing pin, the end of the spring must extend past the end of the pin. If it does not, the spring is too short, and should be replaced.

And, I will also add, there is a correct, and incorrect way to assemble the pin & spring.

Both ends of the spring are NOT the same size. The slightly smaller end goes on the pin, to give a friction snug fit. The "wrong" end is too large for the snug fit, so if you put the spring on "backwards" it can slide off the pin.

Not a usually a concern when all is assembled in the pistol, but would be a gig if I were inspecting your assembly. :D

Over time, having the spring on backwards MIGHT lead to a problem, IF the larger end gets flared and slips further back up the firing pin, creating a situation where the spring is now "too short". And, this might even reach a point where the enlarged spring end creates drag in the firing pin tunnel.

While I've never actually seen that happen, I've learned to "never say never" when it comes to things like that happening to someone, somewhere, sometime...;)
 
Firing pin drag

Thanks a bunch. :)
It's been a while since I disassembled my Colt 10mm and a long long time since stripping issue Colt.
No breakdown came with the gun. I had forgotten about a firing pin spring.
I hope I remember how t take apart the slide and not lose a spring.
I need small parts kit for both guns.
Wolf have that or some other supplier.
You would think Kimber offered one, but nothing on their site about one for theirs.
Happy New Year and Merry Christmas.
Still Christmas around here until a week after the first.
Might eat all the turkey and ham andpies by then. :)
 
I would have bet $$ that the spring was shorter. I had to go looks at my 1970's Colt GC 45.
Gold%20Cup%20Series%2070_zpshb1vav7l.jpg
 
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