Revo/Semiauto Firing Pins

[doctorj]

Why are semiauto firing pins more fragile than revolver FPs? Seems like revolver FPs take more of a beating. I say this because I asked on this forum, "Why do I have light strikes on my primers 'sometimes'? Most of the times the cases are heavily dented." I was told that ALL my primer strikes are probably too light, but once a revo cartiridge is fired, it's slammed back against the firing pin which is still sticking out. Once it's fired, you can't tell by inspection how hard the initial primer strike was. This being the case, I almost never hear of a revo FP needing to be replaced-- but anybody who owns a semiauto is advised to have an extra firing pin or two on hand.

Incidentally, THANKS to those who answered my post about "Light Primer Strikes". If it's true that 1/2 turn of the strain screw might lead to light primer strikes, it's a wonder my gun fired at all! As it was, it only misfired once or twice in 50 rnds. Now it's fine.

 

[Boats]

One factor would have to be length. On my Ruger, with its transfer bar mechanism, the firing pin is more like a "primer striking nub." I imagine that the newer S&Ws are similar.

Even the shortest auto pistol firing pins I have seen on comparable power handguns are still about a half inch long at the minimum creating more of an opportunity for material failure.