1911 Firing pin sticking forward

[Ian]

I have a Sistema 1911, and it recently starting giving me trouble. If I dry-fire it or push the firing pin in enough to disassemble it, it gets stuck, protruding out the breechface. I have to use a bullet (or similar small metal object) to pop it back. I've cleaned the heck out of it (no oil, though), and that helped only slightly (initially, it required less pressure to get stuck).

Does anyone have an idea what might be causing this, and how I might remedy it? It simply started doing this out of the blue - I've used this pistol for several years, and never seen this before. For the record, I've checked all the dummy solutions I know of - the firing pin spring is in place, and correctly oriented. There are no burrs on the firing pin, and no visible obstructions in the firing pin channel.

Any help would be appreciated...

 

[bountyhunter]

If you remove the FP spring and gently push the FP forward, does it "sieze up" in the hole like a cork in a bottle as it goes forward?

Maybe there is some crud in the FP hole?

If you have jewelers files, you could reach in from the rear down the FP tunnel and just very lightly rotate a fine file in the hole to make sure it is clear of junk.

 

[Old Fuff]

In addition to the above, you might want to replace the firing pin spring with a stronger one. Also when you dry fire, be sure a fired cartridge case or snap-cap is in the chamber.

 

[Ian]

Bountyhunter - Yes, it does bind. I'll find a jewler's file, and see if that helps at all.

Old Fuff - I have a fried with a brand new Springfield 1911, and I tried swapping firing pin springs (his was stronger than mine), but it made no difference. As for dry firing, what is really annoying about this is that after each stage in an IPSC match, you have to drop the hammer to prove your chamber is empty. as it is now, that means I have to find a safe spot on the side somewhere to fix my pistol after each stage.

 

[Otherguy Overby]

Primer?

I had something happen with one of mine that you might check.

I found a piece of primer brass stuck inside the firing pin hole. The pin kinda formed it to the hole and made it difficult to see and then to get out.

If I recall it caused intermittant failure to feed completely and some soft hits on the primer.

 

[1911Tuner]

Stuck

Worn pin or port...or what Overby said. Springfield's firing pins aren't as large in diameter as standard .45 ACP pins, so that test is void. Try to find a
standard-sized pin and try it. Series 80 Colt will work.

Also...like Fuff said...Dry-firing without a snap cap lets the pin travel farther forward in the port. It may work to wear the walls into a taper and lock it up,
especially if the spring is shorter than standard.

 

[bountyhunter]

Bountyhunter - Yes, it does bind. I'll find a jewler's file, and see if that helps at all.

You might also try replacing the FP just in case it is tapered and out of spec.

Bottom line, it ain't rocket science: If the hole gets big enough, the pin will stop binding. Just make sure not to "oversive" the hole to a bad pin.

Here's a trick to try to clean in there: take the FP out. Find a drill bit that just fits in the channel. Use the flat end and some cutting compound to clean down at the end near the breech face and clean it thoroughly with Q-tips. There could be a crud build up on the side you can't see.