Firing pin block question

[RicVa]

I asked a similar question under a different post, but figured different people might read it if I didn't post it under the title of a particular weapon.

On a DA/SA semi-auto with a firing pin block, imagine the hammer is cocked. While holding the hammer, I squeeze the trigger. Then I let go of the trigger. If I were to slip and let the hammer drop quickly, since the trigger is no longer pulled, wouldn't the firing pin block prevent the chambered round from firing?

I don't plan to make a practice of this procedure, but I figure this (releasing the trigger before staring to lower the hammer) could be an extra safety step that I wasn't currently considering.

Obviously, the gun I am talking about does not have a decocker.

 

[stans]

Once the trigger is released, the firing pin block should lock the firing pin and prevent it from contacting a primer. But if you cock a pistol, hold the hammer with your thumb, pull the trigger, let the hammer down past the cock notch, then release the trigger, the firing pin is locked, but the half cock notch will catch the hammer. So you still will not get the hammer all the way down without holding the trigger to the rear and keeping the firing pin unlocked.

 

[wally]

Why don't you read the replies in the other thread you started, you might find the answer I posted there.

--wally.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

Most firing pin blocks are designed so that unless the trigger is held fully to the rear when the hammer is moving, the firing pin can't go forward.

The firing pin block is generally a spring-loaded "obstacle" that's pushed out of the way by a lever or part of the trigger assembly; unless the trigger is held back, it doesn't lift the "obstacle" enough for the firing pin to go forward. You're NOT releasing a latch, when you pull the trigger, you're lifting an obstacle. If the trigger drops back, the obstacle falls back into its blocking position.

Perhaps there are other systems that work differently...

 

[RicVa]

Thanks for the replies Walt and Stans. I think my original thought were correct.

Wally - not sure why I'm getting this from you. I clearly stated that I posted this under another topic, but because I titled it after a specific firearm, some may not have viewed it, particularly the 1911 crowd. Of course I read the replies on my other post. I found your reply on that post very helpful. I could have done without this one.

 

[1911Tuner]

Pin Block

Howdy Ric. Welcome to The High Road.

If the firing pin block works off the trigger...releasing the trigger will theoretically prevent a discharge if your thumb should slip. If it works
off the grip Safety, such as the system in the Series 2 Kimbers and Smith & Wesson 1911...it won't have anything to do with it. Releasing the
grip safety on these will prevent a discharge.

Releasing the trigger while the hammer is moving will likely cause the
half-cock notch or shelf to stop the hammer, and holding the trigger until
the half-cock is far enough past the sear to allow the hammer to come to
full rest will require keeping the trigger pulled anyway.

Lowering the hammer on an autopistol with a round in the chamber is risky business, even WITH a decocking design... and should be done carefully after much dry practice, and with a suitable bullet trap in front of the gun. A two-foot thick stack of dry newspapers will do.

Luck!

Tuner

 

[RicVa]

Thanks Tuner. I've read several of your posts here and was actually hoping you would respond to this one. As you said, I guess decocking, whether with a decocker or manually, just needs to be done as carefully and safely as possible.