Warning

 

Close
Confirm Action

Are you sure you wish to do this?

Cancel Confirm
AR15.COM
5/22/2012 10:12:59 PM EDT
My uncles firing pin broke in his SA Operator yesterday. He finished up a flawless session of 400 rounds on Saturday and then today at the range he shot his first round and then the weapon wouldnt fire. checked the casings and there was no strike on the primer. he did a full detail strip and found that his firing pin was broke. All that he did between his session on saturday and the breakage was dry fire about 150-200 times, which he does almost every night. Did dry firing break the firing pin??!!
5/22/2012 10:38:03 PM EDT
[#1]
Yes, when you dry fire the gun 150-200 times every night.  The firing pin needs to have something to strike, if not it batters and extends past the pin hole.  The pin can deform and break.  The pin hole can also get out of spec too through many rounds fired/use or when dry fired excessively.  150-200 times a night is too much.  I am curious, was the firing pin the origin titanium one or steel?  For a replacement part both Wilson (Bulletproof ) or Ed Brown (Hardcore) pins will work great just be sure to double check and get the one made for Springfield Armory.
5/22/2012 10:38:49 PM EDT
[#2]
It couldn't have helped. 150-200 times? I've heard of an itchy trigger finger but damn....

Has he ever heard of snap caps or dummy rounds? They are made to eliminate excessive wear on the weapon when practicing your trigger pull.
5/23/2012 1:45:14 AM EDT
[#3]
I'd say the pin was defective to start with.

My Combat Commander (bought used in 1982 or 83) has been dry fired hundreds/thousands of times over the years.  No issues.  The military used to use dry firing as part of training/practice.

I won't stop dry firing my 1911's.

It may not be good for some types/brands of guns but a gun designed for use by the military would be dry fired almost as much as live fire back in those days.

One of the issues with many guns today is they are not really made to the same specs as the original guns and therefor do not last as long or withstand the hard use the originals did.
5/23/2012 2:44:21 AM EDT
[#4]
The FP spring shouldn't allow the FP to extend far enough to do damage.

Removal of the FP, inspection of it and cleaning the FP channel should be a part of maintenance after a good range session. It's likely one of the easiest pistols to do it on.
5/23/2012 3:01:51 AM EDT
[#5]
NO. it was just that parts time to break.
5/23/2012 4:16:36 AM EDT
[#6]
Invest in "snap caps" if he likes to dry fire a lot, theyre relatively affordable.
I use snap caps after each range time and detailed cleaning.
5/23/2012 4:32:36 AM EDT
[#7]
what exactly are you firing with an empty chamber? Dry practice for the win!
5/23/2012 6:57:55 AM EDT
[#8]
Thanks guys, I dont know what the cause is, maybe it wasnt related. I will be using snap caps from now on...just piece of mind
5/23/2012 6:57:48 PM EDT
[#9]
You mean peace of mind. . . . . now someone who hates grammar nazis will come and give me a piece of his mind.

You can dry fire thousands of times and not hurt a quality centerfire pistol.  But a snap cap will give you pees.
5/23/2012 7:13:21 PM EDT
[#10]
Quoted:
It couldn't have helped. 150-200 times? I've heard of an itchy trigger finger but damn....

Has he ever heard of snap caps or dummy rounds? They are made to eliminate excessive wear on the weapon when practicing your trigger pull.


Really not that much. With a DA/SA pistol to do 10 pulls per the 4 different grip and 2 different trigger pulls you're at 80. Add in drawing and firing, fire reload and fire and it's easy.

I use AZoom snap caps.