Apex J Frame Firing Pins

[ogilvyspecial]

Scott, one other question, does that copper colored "oxide" on your Firing Pins serve any purpose whatsoever?

If it doesn't, could you please advise on why it's left on the Pins??

Thanks

 

[Flork]

If you're dissatisfied with our products, you can send them back for a full product refund as long as the parts have not been modified.

We have gone through one revision of firing pins in the last year since the release of the J-Frame kit, but that change was only to the back end geometry of the pin.

That was post number 22 in this thread.

 

[Flork]

Leaving the pins that color is a good visual verification that they've been properly heat treated. Stainless steel of the variety we use in our firing pins changes color when it's heat treated outside of a vacuum. It always changes and to a consistent color, so leaving the pins in their post heat treated state gives us an easy way to assure they've been heat treated.

 

[ogilvyspecial]

That was post number 22 in this thread.

Got it Scott, so allglock can send his pins with the swedged metal in the notches back, on his dime, so you might be able to determine if there was a quality issue, or not, which, in the long run, might help you put out a better part?

I was just trying to clarify if he was going to be out of pocket any cash to help you with a possible quality issue.
I did read your comment in post #22 and understand the refund aspect, with the conditions you mentioned. A quality issue seems like a different situation than you stated in your previous post (#22), which is in keeping with the context (quality issue) of my comment that you quoted.

Thanks for clearing this up.

Also, thanks for the clarification on why the oxide is left on the parts.

 

[Flork]

If Allglock would like to contact us about shipping pins back to us on our dime, he's certainly welcome to contact us, as are you if you would like the same.

Polishing the pins with Flitz is not something that I would consider modified, if you had ground them down or done something else like bead blast them to remove the coloration of the metal, I would say that they were modified.

My email is in my profile and on our web site if you'd like to get in touch with me about this. In fact, I'm curious as to why you or Allglock didn't contact us personally about this prior to posting on this forum. If you send an email and it's not answered, the shop phone number is published all over the place.

Scott

 

[ogilvyspecial]

If Allglock would like to contact us about shipping pins back to us on our dime, he's certainly welcome to contact us, as are you if you would like the same.

Polishing the pins with Flitz is not something that I would consider modified, if you had ground them down or done something else like bead blast them to remove the coloration of the metal, I would say that they were modified.

My email is in my profile and on our web site if you'd like to get in touch with me about this. In fact, I'm curious as to why you or Allglock didn't contact us personally about this prior to posting on this forum. If you send an email and it's not answered, the shop phone number is published all over the place.

Scott

Thanks Scott, now why didn't you say that in post #22, it would have saved us both a little time.

Nothing wrong, in my opinion, about discussing things out in the open so others can form their own opinions on whatever the topic, or issue, may be.

As long as everybody has a say it's all good.

 

[ogilvyspecial]

As soon as I can find my bit set I will be opening mine for examination and pics. Now if I could just learn to put things back in the same place...

What happened to you Bob? I'm thinking that if you're anything like me you're still looking for your bit set, or maybe trying to figure out how macro works on your camera.

 

[TSQUARED]

I cannot comment on Apex firing pins for J-frames but I have used the extra length Apex FP's in both L and N framed guns. I have shot 15,000 rounds through each of the N framed guns and a bit over 10,000 rouds through the L frames. No problems have been experienced! The Apex firing pns are great products in my book.

 

[allglock]

If Allglock would like to contact us about shipping pins back to us on our dime, he's certainly welcome to contact us, as are you if you would like the same.

Polishing the pins with Flitz is not something that I would consider modified, if you had ground them down or done something else like bead blast them to remove the coloration of the metal, I would say that they were modified.

My email is in my profile and on our web site if you'd like to get in touch with me about this. In fact, I'm curious as to why you or Allglock didn't contact us personally about this prior to posting on this forum. If you send an email and it's not answered, the shop phone number is published all over the place.

Scott

I did try to contact Lee via e-mail a while back, and never got a response...so I solved the problem myself and purchased some old style S&W pins...I don't know why I even saved the Apex pins, but I will send them all back, as they are worthless to me..

 

[ogilvyspecial]

I did try to contact Lee via e-mail a while back, and never got a response...so I solved the problem myself and purchased some old style S&W pins...I don't know why I even saved the Apex pins, but I will send them all back, as they are worthless to me..

I currently have an order thru S&W for a couple different types (part no's) of Firing Pins they list for J Frames, more to measure them and see what I come up with before doing any swapping with my gun's stock pins. If I can find any that are longer than the Pins in my 2008 & 2009 642's, which both measure approx .485", then I'll use them. Eight new S&W Pins, 4 of each part #, as well as 4 pin springs & shipping ran me $30 & change. If I come up with some that measure the same as the Pins in my 2010 & 11 J's, which come in right around .490", I'll run with those.

Allglock, based on what I seen in your photos all of my Apex Pins will be pulled and I'll stick with Factory Pins unless I actually have an issue with light primer strikes due to lighter springs. If I do, I'll simple go back to a stock weight Main Spring & see what I can come up with, balance wise, with the choices given for Rebound Slide Springs in the Wolff or Wilson Kits.

Currently I'm just biding my time waiting for the Pins from S&W and a few Wilson Spring Packs before I go back into two of my guns and remove the Apex Pins & Springs. All it took was some easy experimentation with a Wolff Spring Pack, which was done back to back with two of the Apex Carry/ Duty Spring Kits so I was able to get a side by side comparison, to sell me on the advantages offered by the Wolff Kits.

I've found that even after smoothing up the actions that each action has it's own feel so the one size fits all approach, which may work well for others, just wasn't my cup of tea. Now I'm able to match a Rebound Spring weight to a specific action and by doing so get a much better, more positive, feeling Trigger reset.

Before I went with the Apex Kits I had heard numerous reports here, as well as on other sites that the Trigger felt "mushy" with the Apex Springs but I figured that this was simply a case of personal preferences. While that may still be true, it's my preference as well. As always, your mileage may vary......

 

[Flork]

I did try to contact Lee via e-mail a while back, and never got a response...so I solved the problem myself and purchased some old style S&W pins...I don't know why I even saved the Apex pins, but I will send them all back, as they are worthless to me..

I just had an email forwarded to me from Randy (Lee) that is dated Jan 30, it was addressed to Allglock. He responded to you the same day you send your email and it seems that you did not receive it. Perhaps you should check your spam filter.

 

[allglock]

I just had an email forwarded to me from Randy (Lee) that is dated Jan 30, it was addressed to Allglock. He responded to you the same day you send your email and it seems that you did not receive it. Perhaps you should check your spam filter.

No... This was like, at least a year ago, maybe more. Maybe you guys should check your Spam filter, or check your e-mails once and a while.
I dont have time to play games with inferior products anyway.. Especially when you life may depend on it.

GOUGED APEX PIN

 

[ogilvyspecial]

Allglock, quick question.

Has Randy or Scott PM'd you since this thread started? I'm just curious since Scott has placed such a big emphasis on communication. If it weren't for that fact I would'nt have asked at all, or would have done so through a PM. Since it seems ok to discuss such things openly I'm following Scott's lead and using this avenue to do so.

 

[Flork]

I wrote an email nearly an hour ago to the address Allglock used to contact Randy earlier this week.

 

[allglock]

Allglock, quick question.

Has Randy or Scott PM'd you since this thread started? I'm just curious since Scott has placed such a big emphasis on communication. If it weren't for that fact I would'nt have asked at all, or would have done so through a PM. Since it seems ok to discuss such things openly I'm following Scott's lead and using this avenue to do so.

Yes they have contacted me. The only reason I ever even posted in this thread, is because I thought someone else had the same problem I did. Otherwise, like I said, I just move on and use parts that I know are good.. AKA OEM parts. Aftermarket, "usually" is not a good thing. I learned that from working on cars for 30 years. If you want to put a patch on it, use aftermarket parts. If you want it up to specs and to last.... use OEM parts.... JMO

 

[ogilvyspecial]

Yes they have contacted me. The only reason I ever even posted in this thread, is because I thought someone else had the same problem I did. Otherwise, like I said, I just move on and use parts that I know are good.. AKA OEM parts. Aftermarket, "usually" is not a good thing. I learned that from working on cars for 30 years. If you want to put a patch on it, use aftermarket parts. If you want it up to specs and to last.... use OEM parts.... JMO

Glad to hear it!

I'm also of the opinion, especially when it comes to firing pins, is to stick with Factory Pins, that is unless you do actually have a problem that you can't address any other way.

After going back and re-reading all of the threads & posts that made me believe that firing pins were a serious issue, I came to the conclusion that they aren't.

To be honest, I feel, in a way, that I have been led down the proverbial, primrose path, which is entirely my fault since I was so easily led.

From now on I'm not only going to read what was posted, but who posted it as well. If it's many different voices, then it'll carry more weight, if it's a select few saying essentially the same thing whenever the topic comes up, and this thread is no expection, then I'll take a closer look to see what, if any, their motives may be.
Like I said before, live & learn.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Mine still looks almost as new as the day I put it in:

My conclusion from this is that there may have been a bad batch or lot that is bad.

 

[tomcatt51]

Mine still looks almost as new as the day I put it in

I agree, perfectly normal. Same I've seen on mine. But, we have two posters here who apparently consider that appearance to show "galling" and "gouging" of the "coating".

 

[mesinge2]

I agree, perfectly normal. Same I've seen on mine. But, we have two posters here who apparently consider that appearance to show "galling" and "gouging" of the "coating".

So, should I be ticked off about the "coating" coming off of my SIG's barrel

 

[Tyrod]

So, should I be ticked off about the "coating" coming off of my SIG's barrel

You might if it caused your Sig to malfuntion.