Stupid question of the week: SAA firing pin moving?

[1KPerDay]

Is it normal for the fixed firing pin in a Colt SAA hammer to move around a little?

Also sometimes the hammer sort of sticks down like the firing pin is having trouble releasing from the primer. Is this a known issue and is there a fix? Rounding the tip of the firing pin perchance?

 

[DPris]

The pin's supposed to have some wiggle, allows for some leeway in entering the recoil plate without overly wearing the plate or pin.

Can't tell you why the hammer's sticking.
Do the primers show anything odd?
Denis

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

To some extent, it depends on when the gun was made.

The firing pin of a 2nd Gen (and probably 3rd Gen) Colt is mounted in a hole in the hammer. There is a hole in the center of the firing pin and a rivet that holds the firing pin in place. The hole in the hammer is a little bit larger in diameter than the firing pin. This allows the firing pin to move a bit.






However with the 1st Gens the rivet does not go through the center of the firing pin, it rests in a groove that runs around the firing pin. The firing pin on this 1st Gen Bisley Colt does not move at all, it is tight in its hole.





Cannot comment on why your firing pin seems to be sticking. I would be leery of altering the shape of the pin, you might affect how well it sets off primers.

 

[1KPerDay]

It's a new 3rd gen. Primers look very well struck. I wonder if too well. Or if a sharp edge on the firing pin is catching against the dimple in the fired primer. That's what it feels like.

 

[Cump]

Are you reloading? Maybe try a different primer before you shape the pin.

 

[robhof]

It's a new 3rd gen. Primers look very well struck. I wonder if too well. Or if a sharp edge on the firing pin is catching against the dimple in the fired primer. That's what it feels like.

I would try polishing the tip of the firing pin with 4-0 steel wool or 600 emery cloth or if you have a dremmel with polishing wheel. Hand feel for rough or irregular shape, polishing takes off the least material and easiest, and unless you polish for many hours, you can't take off enough material to alter impact to primer.

 

[1KPerDay]

Okeedoke thanks

 

[1KPerDay]

Are you reloading? Maybe try a different primer before you shape the pin.

I am reloading but it does it occasionally with factory ammo also. thanks for the idea.

 

[Cump]

This might help. When I modify a part, igenerally order a spare first:

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/products/179590

 

[DPris]

Before you do anything to the pin, you might get a magnifier & look at the tip closely.
It should be rounded, not flat, with no rough edges or "mushrooming".

Look at the sides for wear marks that might indicate something's out of spec enough for the sides or shaft of the pin to be rubbing against the recoil plate.

Do you see rub marks on either side of the hammer itself?

Do the primers look like they've been pierced?
Denis

 

[1KPerDay]

Primers are not pierced but the craters are deep. No wear marks I can see. I'll take a closer look at the tip... it looks squareish/flat to the naked eye.

 

[1KPerDay]

I took a few careful swipes with an India stone around the edge of the firing pin tip and it seems to have sorted the problem.

 

[Cump]

I love the simple solutions.

 

[DPris]

Glad to see they still allow guns in Provo.
Hope your solution works.
Denis

 

[1KPerDay]

The hell does that mean? You drunk or something?

 

[DPris]

Your location says Happy Valley, Utah.
A colloquial name for the Provo area, known for certain peculiarities.
Denis

 

[Cump]

And a strong gun community and decent laws in the state.