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1911 45 w/9mm firing pin

geeguygeeguy Member Posts: 1,047 ✭
edited April 2004 in Ask the Experts
I have noted that several of the low cost 1911 .45's come with a narrow firing pin set up that appears to be the same as you would use in a 9mm or 38 super. Although they seem to fire OK, the dent in the primer is narrow and light. I have one of these (as a backup target gun) and I was considering drilling out the hole and replacing the pin with the same size that my Clarks have. I'm shooting about 100 rds per week with the backup target gun.

Is it worth the trouble? Should I be concerned about reliability?
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Comments

  • Contender ManContender Man Member Posts: 2,110 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You don't mention the mfg. of the pistol. But, if it is good enough to be a backup target gun for Clarks it must be pretty accurate just the way it is, or you mean backup as in "way back"[:D]

    I don't recommend the you get out the old Black&Decker and go to work on it. Rather take it to a gunsmith and discuss your concerns with them. Take a couple fired cases so they can see the primer impression and go from there. Recommendation from the "smith" may be new spring, or it may be upgrade the whole assembly or it might be shoot it till it presents a problem, since you did not mention that you were presently having any misfires.


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    If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!
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  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Leave it as is " 9 mm type fireing pin is lighter" unless it hits off center.Good pistolsmiths adjust by fitting both upper and lower locking lugs on barrel to center fireing pin hit on primer.Thought was large primers took larger fireing pins but the large pin slightly off center on a small primer such as 9mm might interfear with the side of primer cup causeing misfires.Thus the smaller pin size.45 was never changed because replacement small pins in older large hole whould cause problems.
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  • geeguygeeguy Member Posts: 1,047 ✭
    edited November -1
    Contender: The gun is a Dan Wesson Target model (Assusi) and is very accurate. Have only had a misfire on a high primer. Dent is dead center on the primer, just small and light.

    I'll keep the hand drill away from it (which was where I was going) and see a "smith" if it becomes a problem. I was just concerned that if it "should" be changed.

    Thanks for the input to everyone.
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