SGW Gunsmith
Member
In another thread the subject of Ruger Mark pistol firing pins was mentioned. For many, many years, and at least up until the introduction of the Ruger Mark IV, Ruger used the very same steel, "stamped out" firing pins. I can't say that I ever found any fault with that usage, other than some neglect by the factory to remove the off-side sharp edge caused by the stamping die. But, that's a simple malady to correct.
For some reason there are several aftermarket firing pins offered by a handful of folks who must believe they've come up with that 'better mousetrap'. Here's what I've found:
I've weighed and measured all of the firing pins that I think have been produced by aftermarket folks, if only to see for myself "what makes their's better".
The **NEW** style firing pin introduced along with the Ruger Mark IV pistols had a very short span of use:
That front 'lightening' hole was just a tad bit too close to the firing pin stop pin. After slamming into that pin multiple times, it just could not take the abuse.
I took one of those firing pins from my inventory and fashioned a plug for that front hole, which provided enough support to prevent breakage and that pin is still functioning in a Ruger Mark II pistol.
Ruger no longer offers those two-hole firing pins, and for some reason, known only to them, they've gone to furnishing a titanium firing pin, laser profiled:
A lighter firing pin is supposed to equate with and provide faster lock-time. I wonder if that's really necessary in a .22 rimfire handgun. Maybe the milliseconds saved will help bullseye scores for some. I haven't had very good luck with titanium firing pins though. Seems after getting smacked with a hard hammer time and time again, and the rear end of those type firing pins begin to get brittle and crumble. I much prefer a steel firing pin.
For some reason there are several aftermarket firing pins offered by a handful of folks who must believe they've come up with that 'better mousetrap'. Here's what I've found:
I've weighed and measured all of the firing pins that I think have been produced by aftermarket folks, if only to see for myself "what makes their's better".
The **NEW** style firing pin introduced along with the Ruger Mark IV pistols had a very short span of use:
That front 'lightening' hole was just a tad bit too close to the firing pin stop pin. After slamming into that pin multiple times, it just could not take the abuse.
I took one of those firing pins from my inventory and fashioned a plug for that front hole, which provided enough support to prevent breakage and that pin is still functioning in a Ruger Mark II pistol.
Ruger no longer offers those two-hole firing pins, and for some reason, known only to them, they've gone to furnishing a titanium firing pin, laser profiled:
A lighter firing pin is supposed to equate with and provide faster lock-time. I wonder if that's really necessary in a .22 rimfire handgun. Maybe the milliseconds saved will help bullseye scores for some. I haven't had very good luck with titanium firing pins though. Seems after getting smacked with a hard hammer time and time again, and the rear end of those type firing pins begin to get brittle and crumble. I much prefer a steel firing pin.