New 625

[alfsauve]

As I said the first thing I do with a new Smith is put in an extended firing pin.

But I got to thinking.   I always measured the firing pins by their full length.  Stock S&W are ~0.49" while the extended ones are ~0.51".  This morning it occurs to me that may the more important distance is the actual length of the pin rather than the base.  Though now I'm thinking both are important.  Anyway, I go down stairs to measure, when I dropped on and discovered I can't pick it up with my magnetic retrieval tool.  None of the stock S&W pins are steel, it turns out.  Haven't tried the extended one because it's lousy day outside and I don't feel like stripping the gun.  I'll measure it next time I'm inside it. What is the integral firing pin on S&W Revolvers, J/K/L/N, made of?  Don't guess, give  reference.    The guess is titanium.  S&W mentions titanium in reference to their 1911 firing pins, but I couldn't find anything about revolver ones.  APEX, TK Custom and Cylinder and Slide don't say.  Midwest Gun Works says the Apex is steel, but they're a dealer and my have just assumed, as I've done all theses years. 

[alfsauve]

After consulting the all knowing experts on the web, baring finding a reference from S&W, I’m going with the guess of


austenitic stainless steel

[alfsauve]

Okay, just to obsess over firing pins. 

The OEM S&W firing pin is 0.49" and weight 6.2gr +/-

In my collection I found 2 that are outside the box.

The one on the left is shinny, extended, has a larger retention notch further back towards the base, is magnetic and weighs 10.9gr.

​The one on the right is also shinny, standard length, hollowed out and magnetic.  weights 7.8gr.



Oh i could fixate on these suckers.  Maybe after I get bored with my 3D printing I'll get CNC machine and churn out my own pins. 



Wait, just got an email.  "Welcome to the Dull Men's Club."

[Rastus]

So are you heading towards lighter for performance or heavier for longevity or some other reason(s)? 

Also what are your thoughts on being magnetic or not?  I can see how magnetism could have tiny effect.  Or is it more a function of what material are they made of?  I suspect lighter is better and something like titanium would be stronger than steel or stainless steel for the same profile. 

[alfsauve]

These were in my Box o' S&W Revolver Parts.  More than likely I took them out of a used guns I bought.  I tend to go with Apex extended.  Since all my Apex's are currently installed, I'll have to pull one to weigh it and test it's magnetic properties.   

I've never given a lot of thought to all of this minutia involving firing pins.  Just trusted Apex.  But like Newton and the apple, it was me and the retrieval tool that suddenly peaked my interest.  And of course what about the return spring?  Size?  Material? Windings? Temper?

[Sponsor]

[Big Frank]

S&W recently started making revolvers without the infernal lock again. And the S&W Model 940 is available for the first time in 27 years. A new 625 without a lock could possibly be made again.

[alfsauve]

It’s possible but not holding my breath.

[Big Frank]

It’s possible but not holding my breath.

 

[alfsauve]

Ha, was working on the strain screw and weighed the Apex extended pin.  It's steel and 8gr.    So many combinations to try I could spend all day at the range trying different combos.

Saturday is ICORE. I'll shoot the new Big 6 division.  And Sunday is IDPA in which I'll use the 625 with moon clips as opposed to my usual 686 with speed loaders.  All predicated on the upcoming rain events for those two days.

[Rastus]

So you have an 8g in the gun but you have a 7.8 and a 6.2 as well?  So they all work, right?  Now...is there anything weight wise that you think makes a difference.  All I can come up with is that with lower mass the lighter pin gets there quicker so maybe you have a sliver of a sliver quicker ignition time?  But that is predicated on first contact and who knows the lighter pin could be ahead of the hammer and bounce back on a hard primer?  Interesting...