Tempering firing pins.

modoc

I broke a pin in my old Baker gun,had one made but wonder about tempering it.Does it need to be tempered,if so how is the best way to achieve it?????

BILL
KEEP YOUR POWDER DRY.BUT NOT HOT.....

v35

I hope the fellow made it out of a hardenable grade of steel. Good material for these parts is grade 8 screws and bolts. You have to first harden then temper the part.
Put a single wrap of steel wire around the pin so you can hold it while you're heating it. Heat it until it is a uniform bright red then plunge it with a stirring action into car oil. Clean off the oil and test it with a file.
If a file can cut it,the part wont do for a durable firing pin.
If the file doesn't cut it, then temper it by dipping the pin in molten lead for about 30 seconds and you're done.