I was just perusing Smith's website and under "new products" they list a 1911 with a titanium firing pin. The MSRP, $1264, is slightly higher than for their basic blued 1911. Question: what's the benefit of a titanium firing pin? My 1911, the blued basic model, works superbly with what I suspect is a steel firing pin. So, why would I or anyone be interested in a gun with a titanium pin? Is there some inherent weakness in the steel pin that I'm unaware of?

Hi Steve,
The lighter the moving parts the shorter the lock time is.
A person can get titainium hammers and main spring caps too.
I use them in some of my guns but I don't know if a person can tell much difference but there should be some.
Thanks
Mike

I would NOT use a titanium firing pin in a defensive carry gun. It offers no advantage except in match shooting when the shorter lock time "might" help and is more prone to breakage than steel.

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Steve
NJ State Trooper (rtd)

This is the gun that does not have a "Swarz", Series 80 or whatever you'd like to call it safety system. Springfield Armory has relied on titanium pins for years so they wouldn't have to put a "system" on their 1911s. I have owned and still own a SA Professional and a TRP with the titanium pins and have never had an issue with. Personally, I hope S&W goes this way on all their 1911s to alleviate the "Swarz" type safety. Now if they would just beef up the external extractor as promised!! Don't get me wrong none of my seven S&W 1911s have never failed in this area but it would be nice if they would adopt the same one they put on the PC 1911s like they were talking about!

I had a custom 1911 (.45) built, since this was a costly exercise, I didn’t want to cut any corners. Some gun writer had impressed me that a titanium pin was a great thing and so I wanted one.
My builder, who knows where of, said that IF there is a locktime improvement from the pin alone, it is so little that no one he knows can tell. After all, the steel pin has very little mass and travels an extremely short distance. He uses lightened hammers but would rather rely on steel pins.
(No Swarz system)

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Ipsis Rebus Dictantitbus

This is fascinating stuff to me. I've been a frequent contributor to the revolver threads over the past couple of years. I presently own six Smith revolvers, old and new, and love everything about them. And, up until recently, I knew next to nothing about semiautos. I had convinced myself that they just weren't my thing.

That, as it turns out, is because nearly all of my experiences with semiautos were with my friends' polymer framed striker fired guns, including Glocks, Springfields, Rugers, and Smith M & Ps. Some of them worked quite well for me. For example, I discovered that I could shoot a Ruger SR9 as well as I could shoot any of my revolvers. But, none of them really held much charm.

Then, a few weeks ago, someone introduced me to a 1911. For me it was instant love. So much so that I immediately purchased a Smith 1911. The gun has been more than satisfactory. No offense to my beloved revolvers, but this gun is something else! However, I've begun to discover that, since all 1911s are built on essentially identical designs, manufacturers try to distinguish their products with little things that may or may not add to the utility, the performance, or the accuracy of the gun.

I'm getting the feeling that, perhaps, a titanium firing pin falls into this category. It's something that may or may not enhance the gun's performance but, if it does, it's extremely subjective. Meanwhile, it gives Smith the opportunity to say that it's producing something with bells and whistles that not every manufacturer has.

Btw, now that I've fallen in love with 1911s I'm really anxious to learn more. And, probably, to buy more as well. I'm really intrigued with the idea of getting one in 9mm . . . .

Whether it's the shape of the butt, the position of cocking serration's, their number, spacing and/or angle of same on the slide, it's finish or it's coating or the beavertail of the grip safety, underneath it all beats JMB's design.
I'm sure that at some point in it's now 98 year history someone, somewhere, has likely died due to it not having a Titanium firing pin. But right now at least I can't recall anyone ever having cited it as anyone's COD?

I believe that Springfield Armory uses the titanium firing pins since they allow their guns to pass the drop safety tests mandated by some jurisdictions. Perhaps S&W is doing the same.
S&W has switched to titanium firing pins in their revolvers.

It’s like the cocking serrations on the front of the slide, great innovation no doubt, I didn’t miss them when I didn’t have them, and wouldn’t if they disappeared.

However, if you ever have a chance to handle and shoot a 1911 as they say “purpose built” by one of the masters, you will realize that some 1911’s ARE better. Will you be a better shot, very unlikely. A Ferrari will not get you to the grocery store any quicker either.

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Ipsis Rebus Dictantitbus

Stevieboy,
Welcome to the wonderful world of John Browning and his marvelous pistol. It’s over 100 years old and getting better each day. Tank car loads of ink are spilled over it every year.
In some circles you can start a fight over whether it headspaces on the case rim or not.
If not the pistol you can start a fight about who makes the best magazines.
Like eating just one peanut, no one can get by with just one 1911.
Roger.

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Ipsis Rebus Dictantitbus

About six years ago I bought a nib Glock 20 and the original owner put on some extras, one was a titanium firing pin. I posted it in Glocktalk and one reply said he'd experience erosion of the tip in his.

Steel isn't as hard as titanium. It is more resilient to shock. I haven't fired the g20 that much, so I can't verify anything from experience. I have given thoiught to put a standard steel firing pin in it.

I can't tell the difference from my older g20.

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9tenz