Smithing Question Firing pin R&R Smith Model 18 .22lr

vickersmaster303 · Dec 13, 2012

Q: The firing pin on my Smith 18 22lr is frame mounted. The absolute protrusion through the frame is about .030. The thing is the nose is getting a little flat and with the reduced power Wolf mainspring I'm getting a few misfires DA only. Just punch out the roll pin on the frame and remove the bushing and spring to replace the firig pin is this the correct proceedure? Any Smithing input welcome. Thanks vickersmaster303

big brother · Dec 13, 2012

If I were in your shoes I would put the original mainspring back in your M18 and leave the firing pin alone. reduced power mainsprings are well know to produce reliability problems. My K22 has the same firing pin set up and it has had several thousand rounds through it with any noticeable wear. If you want a smoother or lighter trigger get a trigger job from a good smith but don't change the mainspring from the original to something lighter. The light mainspring is almost certain to produce problems.

gboling · Dec 13, 2012

What big brother said, You cannot fix a problem by overlookinng the most likely problem, the mainspring. Replace it with the proper weight spring. If the problem still exists, only then consider the firing pin.

vickersmaster303 · Dec 13, 2012

big brother said:
If I were in your shoes I would put the original mainspring back in your M18 and leave the firing pin alone. reduced power mainsprings are well know to produce reliability problems. My K22 has the same firing pin set up and it has had several thousand rounds through it with any noticeable wear. If you want a smoother or lighter trigger get a trigger job from a good smith but don't change the mainspring from the original to something lighter. The light mainspring is almost certain to produce problems.

Yes, certainly I can do that I have the spring. The question is though, there is some wear on the firing pin the nose is not rounded but a little flat. Changing it would not hurt anything and would give another .001 protrusion or so which can't hurt for ignition. Thanks for your reply.

diamonback68 · Dec 13, 2012

vickersmaster303 said:
Yes, certainly I can do that I have the spring. The question is though, there is some wear on the firing pin the nose is not rounded but a little flat.

All firing pins whether hammer mounted or frame mounted are a little flat. They usually don't wear out unless your gun has 10s of thousands of rounds through it. An extra .001 or so is not going to help. The brass on a rimfire is a little harder than a center fire primer. Your problem is your mainspring.

vickersmaster303 · Dec 13, 2012

diamonback68 said:
All firing pins whether hammer mounted or frame mounted are a little flat. They usually don't wear out unless your gun has 10s of thousands of rounds through it. An extra .001 or so is not going to help. The brass on a rimfire is a little harder than a center fire primer. Your problem is your mainspring.

If I did want to replace it though does the frame pin drift out fairly easy to remove the bushing etc. Appreciate your opinion. Thanks, vickersmaster 303

diamonback68 · Dec 13, 2012

vickersmaster303 said:
If I did want to replace it though does the frame pin drift out fairly easy to remove the bushing etc. Appreciate your opinion. Thanks, vickersmaster 303

They don't drift out easily, they are pressure fit and most non-gunsmiths end up with scratches a gouges on the topstrap.

Do what you will. I'll be willing to bet, even if you change it, you will still have the problem. IMO you are trying to mask a problem you created.

BillyMagg · Dec 13, 2012

vickersmaster303 said:
If I did want to replace it though does the frame pin drift out fairly easy to remove the bushing etc. Appreciate your opinion. Thanks, vickersmaster 303

Ain't nuthin about gunsmithing as easy as it looks, and yes I have a few ugly projects in my past, Dont Touch It! To tell you the truth the factory screwed up the frame on my 629 and had to replace it, and their crane to frame fit was UGLY! Billy

Smithing Question Firing pin R&R Smith Model 18 .22lr

vickersmaster303

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big brother

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gboling

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vickersmaster303

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diamonback68

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vickersmaster303

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diamonback68

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BillyMagg

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