Broken firing pin on H&R Sportsman...need help

[love22s]

Hello all,
I have an H&R sportsman...I'm pretty sure it is a 1st year model (1932) as it has SN #986.

Well the firing pin broke on it, and I can't find a replacement. Apparently there was an early firing pin design, and then H&R changed it significantly. Numrich only has the newer version (trust me...I now own one!)

Does anyone here have an early version and is willing to take the pin out and do some measurements for me?

My broken one has all the rear portion in place, so I can measure this with my calipers, but I can't measure what is missing (the portion forward of the large dia section...all the way to where the pin engages with the .22 casing).

I would appreciate any help you could give...

Thanks,
Todd

 

[Jim K]

IIRC, most of the older H&R .22s had the firing pin made as part of the hammer. Is yours actually a separate part that comes out?

If so, the firing pin can be made from tool steel, then hardened. The remains of the old one will help, then just make the front part over-length and "cut and try" a bit at a time until it is right. The critical areas are that the firing pin NOT touch the cylinder but be long enough to fire the cartridge, and that it not strike the top, bottom or sides of the firing pin hole, yet fit that hole closely.

If the firing pin is part of the hammer, the hammer will have to be slotted and drilled to insert a new firing pin and then use a cross-pin to hold it. Another critical area there is that the firing pin fit back in the hammer slot and be supported by it, not by the crosspin. (A carbide cutter/drill will be needed as those hammers are case hardened.)

I am not sure what a gunsmith would charge for that job, but it could well be more than the gun is worth. I think it is a DIY job for someone who is handy, has some good tools, and is very patient.

Jim

 

[love22s]

Thanks Jim

Yes, the firing pin is separate from the hammer. It is a stepped-cylindrical part that is held in place by a cross pin.

I'm pretty sure I will have to make one myself. The part should be easy to machine (once I know the dimensions), but I'm not sure how to harden it. Do you just raise it to a glowing temp, and then quench it in water?

I sure wish someone could measure the length of the pin-portion (smaller diameter tapered cylinder with the facets on the striking end).

Attached is a picture of my broken pin (on the left) and the one that Numrich sold me...

Todd

 

[Jim K]

That is a frame-mounted firing pin, which leaves me a bit confused as I didn't think H&R used them back that far.

Anyway, a replacement should be easy to make from drill rod (available at any machine shop and most gunsmiths - I do not mean a drill, I mean machinable soft tool steel from which a drill could be made). You have to take it down to the right diameter by lathe or a drill and file, and cut the slot for the pin. For length, the front part doesn't look to be tapered, so just leaving it the same diameter all the way out should be OK. Leave it long enough that you know it is too long, then put it in with the spring and try it (don't pin it, yet). Keep taking off a bit at a time until it is protruding about .10" from the frame. Then take a piece of gummed paper (a computer label will do), and cut out a piece that will fit over the back of the cylinder. Trim the firing pin down until it just touches the paper when pushed all the way forward. You can try trimming the firing pin in the frame, but I recommend taking it out.

Then install the firing pin spring and firing pin, but use a long pin a little smaller in diamete than the original. Fire the gun. If all is well, check again that the firing pin will not touch the cylinder, then you can either cut it off at an angle at the sides until the front is squared off, or you can leave it a full circle, which ever works best.

To harden, heat it cherry red, and oil quench, then polish it and draw until the part is straw color and let cool. Then install with the regular pin.

Jim