Firing pin

[Sverre A.]

I bought a mod. 83 (new) in January - and after 200 shots, the firingpin broke.  Changed it - and now after 6-700 more shots, it broke again.

Can it be something with the firingpin-hole, which cause the breakage?

Living in Norway - and should use the gun in a national championship next week-end, and there are no pins to get 

[MS Hitman]

Are you dry-firing the revolver without snap caps?  That is, I believe, the leading cause of firing pin breakage. 

There are a big group of FA shooters in Germany.  You may be able to get some help from some of those guys.  They are closer than Wyoming.

[Ken ONeill]

Like Ms. Hitman, I can't imagine what's wrong, unless you're dry firing it, which is a problem with FA's. I suggest you e-mail Bob Baker promptly to achieve a remedy. He should also be able to advise you of some contacts in Germany who may be able to help you out with a part quickly as Rob suggests.

[Sverre A.]

"dry firing it"

NOT AT ALL!

What`s Baker`s email-adress?

[Ken ONeill]

Sorry. Something's "bad wrong" then. Bob's at: reb@freedomarms.com

[Sverre A.]

Mailed Corey at FA - and he should send me pins on monday.

[Sverre A.]

"Can it be something with the firingpin-hole, which cause the breakage?"

Or can it be Federal`s soft primers?
I shoot different ammo - and when I shoot ammo with Federal primers - I can see that sometimes - the pin has almost gone through.

(with my 454 - I can`t see the similar)

[Wiking]

Sverre

Have you found out what made the pins brake? Would like to avoid this problem when I get mine

[WL44]

"when I shoot ammo with Federal primers - I can see that sometimes - the pin has almost gone through"

My 353 pierces pistol primers even with moderate ("normal") .357 loads. I only use small rifle primers in my 353 as a result. My firing pin looks a little sharp though, but  I don't want to mess around with it. With the small rifle primers nothing has ever pierced.

[Wiking]

WL44,

So if one wants to shoot heavy .357 loads, you'd recommend using small rifle primers? Any brand in particular?

[WL44]

Wiking,

Other guys tell me it's not necessary, but due to piercing I went to SRP very quickly. It was recommended in the initial articles that I read on the FA353. The argument was that the higher pressure you "can" load it to required harder primer cups. Some guys even recommend SRP's for the 9X23 and .38 Super/comps etc. for IPSC.

We aren't spoilt for choice here. I use what I can get.

I've used Remington and CCI BR (when I could get nothing else) - not necessarily more accurate in my testing, but seemed harder than the std SRP.

I use standard CCI SRP with good success. Several loads have very low SD's and are really accurate.

On heavy loads I would recommend them, but I use them on all loads because of the piercing "issue" my revolver.

[Sverre A.]

I think Birger is one of them who can "tell you" about different loads.

"Have you found out what made the pins brake"

No!

I can`t shoot with it for months now - because of a shouldersurgery - and I hope the second breakage was the last one!!!!

(but I have some extras now)

[Wiking]

Thanks fellas!

Sverre,

I case you run out of firing pins again, let me know. I got a good contact in Germany - the guy I ordered my FA from. He can probably hook us up!

Wiking

[Sverre A.]

Today - my friend who bought his .44 together with my .357 - broke his pin.
He has shot about 600 shots.

My first pin brekage witn my .357 was at 800 shots - and the second after 600 shots.
Can it be Federal primers - which is more softer than others?

What can be the problem?

Bob baker: Do you have an answer?


With my .454 - I have shot thousands of rounds without a breakage - with Federal primers.

[Graybeard]

It would be interesting to hear Bob chime in on this one if he's seen it. I've fired a lot more rounds that that thru each of the three I've worked with and not had a pin break. Hearing from Bob on what might be causing it so we can help folks reduce such problems would be helpful.

[Sverre A.]

Fortunately - the .357 and the .44 are "replaceable pin- models".
If the pin break on my 454 (not replaceable model) - I will get some problems.
Then I have to ship it to FA - from Norway - and after 11th September - it`s not easy to ship guns.