Just wondering if there has been problems with the titanium firing pins used in the Bushmaster XM-15, full auto. 16in hbar bbl, with flaoting handguard. An impressive model of a carbine, but not too happy with the plastic retracting stock nad the plastic trigger guard. Was impressed with the adjustable trigger, and long Picatinny rail, etc.

Today, had to replace the titanium ones with standard M16 ones and I was not told why? As no one new, just following a directive. Rumour net was saying pierced primers? What has anyone else heard. These carbines are all NIB

Any input here would most certainly be appreciated.


Cheers,
1feral1

www.fulton-armory.com/QMI.htm might be helpful.

-hanko

The titanium pins are nice for target/competition, as they really complement a good trigger/hammer set.  However, unlike steel, if you pierce just one primer, the hot gases from the case will "flame cut" the tip of the firing pin into a jagged mess (or clean off).  If the pin is left sharp and jagged, it might pierce more and more primers until there's nothing left.  I learned that with my Ti pin, and now it's strictly GI for me.

Ti pins are not nice for competition.  For plinking, if it makes you feel cool, do it, but for competition, you don't want anything that can render the rifle useless after a pierced primer.

As a general rule, failure during competition is bad, but not life-threatening.  Failure during combat is catastrophic.  Many people with match-tuned rifles have the ability to check and replace Ti firing pins at regular intervals.  That's not the option for soldiers.

If you drive for 3 hours or three days to get to a match, the last thing you want is the T1 pin to disintegrate on you.  You can't tell when one is going to let go, because it could be fine and jsut one primer pierces. Then part of the pin is melted and maybe its sharper, so then the next shot pierces the next primer and then your pin tip is gone.  In IPSC, you'dbe screwed, in HP, if you're shooting a slow fire portion, you'd have enough time to change, if in a rapid portion, you're done.

Serious competitive shooters treat their rifles as if they were putting their life on the line.  The rifle must work.

Bottom line, the Ti pin is a liability.

David Tub makes a Ti pin with a hardened tip to circumvent the problem, BTW.  If its that important to you, get that.

Thanks,
1feral1