what steel for firingpins?

[Swede 45]

I plan to make extended firingpins for my Ruger Gp100 and my S&W 686 as I get light strikes during DA .. SA no problems..Yeah.. I got the triggerpull set low as these are competition guns..
My friend with a lathe that will help me make them, asked me what steel ? I have no clue on different steel ?
Suggestions?
Thanks.

[labradigger1]

I use grade 8 bolts, turn to size, tested for function then case hardened with kasenit.

[skeettx]

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1004090783/cylinder-and-slide-extra-length-firing-pin-new-style-s-and-w-j-k-l-n-frame-revolvers

[Skipper]

S7 Shock-Resisting Tool Steel

https://www.hudsontoolsteel.com/technical-data/steelS7
https://www.speedymetals.com/information/material12.html

[Swede 45]

Thanks.. will forward the info to my friend.

Skeetex: thank you, but Midway doesn´t ship to Sweden.. brownells got a rep in Europe.. but the price is x2 and the shipping of the pin is 30$ :cry: true postage is about 1 $
And its fun to make things.. :razz:

[Texas by God]

A little heavier DA trigger pull is better than pierced primers IMO.

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[yeahbub]

Years ago, I read an article written by a gunsmith who extolled the virtues of using old stainless 120" whip antennas which were once the rage for mobile CB radio. He wrote that it's not that hard, but very tough and would take a beating without breakage and were his choice for use in Win '94's the state police used to have in their cruisers - which is also who he got the antennas from. Another possibility is S7, which is a forming die steel used to make parts which will be subjected to heavy blows without fracturing. CPM10-V is also used for this, but is expensive. Isn't there a place called Metals Warehouse or something for those needing small rather than industrial quantities of metal for small projects?

[John Taylor]

If it works fine when single action then the firing pin is fine the way it is. You need to correct the hammer spring for double action.

[uscra112]

Will McMaster-Carr ship outside the USA? (www.mcmaster.com)

[john.k]

I have made many from Unbrako socket screws......the german made screws,not the current subcontinent rubbish.The old Unbrako screws were Gr 11.9 or better,and machine easily ,and are tough enough to not mark under hammer impact.....Beware of current HT screws which are mostly Chinese or Indian,and are very hard med. carbon steel.......beware Unbrako and many famous brands are now oriental rubbish.

[JMtoolman]

I have used allen wrenches to machine such parts, very tough tool steel! The toolman.

[KCSO]

#2 on the whip antenna I got a bunch when we switched over to high band and have used them now for a while and they work great, have yet to have one break.

[Buckshot Bill]

I have used hex wrenches and drill bits to good effect

[55fairlane]

My choices, are either drill rod (silver steel in th EU) or 4140 prehard, but any good tool steel should be ok....

[Reverend Recoil]

Engine cylinder head bolt are tough stock material for firing pins.

[Texas by God]

If it works fine when single action then the firing pin is fine the way it is. You need to correct the hammer spring for double action.Thank you.

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[Buckshot]

..............I use S7 tool steel.

...........Buckshot

[KCSO]

Just a nte as I do Muzzleloaders and antique restoration...I have seen a lot of pins made from old nails and some from old square nails that are in shotgun 150 years old and they still work after a fashion. They are still unbroken anyway not what I would choose but they worked for a long time. I think the reason a lot of the old ones broke was too hard the case went all the way through the pin.

[abunaitoo]

I use old drill bits.
Cheap and easy to work with

[W.R.Buchanan]

S7 is the right answer and Buckshot and Skipper got it right.

Randy

[bstone5]

I use Grade 8 bolts, after finished machining, case harden. Have made a few for old break open shotguns purchased in pawn shops.

[H&R Nut]

s7 or d2 with heat treat following machining

[LMB]

AISI 1144 Steel also known as Fatigueproof steel. I buy from McMaster Carr 3' length is less than $10. No need to heat treat after Machining.