New Baby Eagle 45- Firing pin drag.

[stevemis]

I picked up a NIB brushed chrome Baby Eagle in 45ACP recently and took it to the range this afternoon.

The recoil compared to every other 45 (1911's, officers and micro) was insane. I was shooting Remington UMC 45 hardball. Cases ejected 20+ feet to the right and 1' back. I was able to fire, follow-through, re-acquire the target AND turn my head and watch the brass still in the air.

I noticed almost every ejected case had a drag mark from the firing pin.

All of these things seem to point to a weak recoil spring (it's actually two springs). Is this a fair assessment?

Thanks, you guys rock!

Steve

 

[rcmodel]

I think it's a sign of making guns shorter & shorter.

They are so short they have to start unlocking too soon in order to get everything unlocked and out of the way for the short slide to cycle.
As a result, they unlock before the firing pin can retract and get out of the way.

Primer drag marks seem to be a lot more common then they were before the super short guns came along.

It seems to be a free of charge "design feature" now days!

rc

 

[Jim K]

The firing pin spring may be too light to retract the pin fast enough.

Jim

 

[stevemis]

rcmodel, the Baby Eagle 45 isn't a small gun.. about the same length as a commander 1911, and +- 2.5 pounds.

 

[stevemis]

Jim,

I initially thought the same regarding the firing pin spring. Then I realized recoil was very strong and ejection was insane. I figured a weak recoil spring would cause the slide to move earlier and faster, which would increase felt recoil and cause a more forceful ejection. Also, if the slide is moving earlier than it should, ejection would be taking place earlier... perhaps while the firing pin is retracting?

Certainly no expert on this...

Steve

 

[stevemis]

Ok, I called Magnum Research. The gentleman I spoke with was very unhelpful. He said nothing I mentioned causes him any concern. His only suggestion was to remove the firing pin and look for cosmoline. I asked about springs and he said they were $5 each.

Any other gun manufacturer would have offered to send a set of springs. No, not Magnum Research.

Thumbs down.

I removed the firing pin and spring, found no cosmoline.. just a very light coat of oil. Of course, everything else was clean. I didn't see any burrs in the channel, either.