Does Bushing a Firing Pin Hurt Reliability

[Jeremy45]

Does busing the firing pin on say an AI AT hurt the reliability/ruggedness of the rifle. AI's are made to run in harsh conditions is there any difference in getting small firing pin model vs bushing a large firing pin model? Will they both hold up long term in harsh field conditions?

Jeremy

 

[SubOptimal]

If you are running a cartridge with small primers I can't see any disadvantage to it. Large primers and maybe military ammo, I would stick to the large firing pin. Go visit the Gretan site for more information.

 

[MJB13SRT8]

Unless you are having primer flow problems or are piercing primers I wouldn't worry about bushing a large firing pin, and as for large vs small firing pins that's up for debate on if it really helps accuracy.

Montrose

 

[tennturk]

I was having primer problems with my 6mm Creedmoor and even more with 22 Creedmoor. I emailed both AI North America and MileHigh about purchasing a new SFP bolt or having the bolt head swapped out. Both responded with "no, those are not available options at this time. Send the bolt to Stuteville Precision to be bushed"

 

[LawnMM]

Doesn't affect reliability.

 

[Jeremy45]

I have a 6.5x47 barrel on the way and plan to run some 6br also. The rifle I bought already has a bushed firing pin but I didn't want to lose any reliability going that way. Looks like I have nothing to worry about!

Thanks for the help!

 

[Jethro3898]

....... I emailed both AI North America and MileHigh about purchasing a new SFP bolt or having the bolt head swapped out. Both responded with "no, those are not available options at this time. Send the bolt to Stuteville Precision to be bushed"

AINA told you to send the bolt off to be bushed?

 

[tennturk]

AINA told you to send the bolt off to be bushed?

Yes sir. I deleted the email, but it basically said "A couple of our PRS team members have used Stuteville Precision to get their pins bushed down and all have had great results."

 

[Jethro3898]

That's awesome! I had toyed around with the idea of having mine done on my AX. To hear that they floated the idea to you is surprising.

 

[1fliride]

Not until the bushing falls out. Then it can be a problem

 

[Edds]

Not until the bushing falls out. Then it can be a problem

How are the people who are installing bushings attaching them to the bolt? Are they threaded, press fit, welded, a combination of those, or something different?

 

[spife7980]

How are the people who are installing bushings attaching them to the bolt? Are they threaded, press fit, welded, a combination of those, or something different?

Have it done somewhere that knows what they are doing and I dont think falling out is a realistic concern.

Edit: Borden screws the new bushing in, I think gretan does as well https://bordenrifles.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/firing_pin_bush.pdf


Grimstod does a press fit

 

[RRW]

I had my AI AX bolt turned down and bolt face bushed by Wade Stuteville. I have fired approx 1500 rds between 308 and 6.5 CM since I had it done, Bolt face still looks like it did when I got it back. I would venture to say Stuteville has done more AI bolts than anyone and the results speak for themselves

 

[trob_205]

I have primer flow on my LFP 14 AX when I shoot Lapua 6.5cm. Unless it starts to show me any more that I’m not going to send mine off. If I wanted to run a ton of the SRP cartridges I would do it and not think twice about it IF using a reputable smith. Right now I’m only 308 and 6.5CM with no real want for the gamer cartridges. So I guess that’s the long way around saying if you need it, do it lol

 

[ken4570tc in WY]

Have it done somewhere that knows what they are doing and I dont think falling out is a realistic concern.

Edit: Borden screws the new bushing in, I think gretan does as well https://bordenrifles.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/firing_pin_bush.pdf


Grimstod does a press fit

Spife, I hadn't realized Greg Tannel had gotten old till I watched that video. Ten years ago, when I was shooting 1000BR with him at the Colorado Rifle Club, he didn't have any gray hair. Must have been the stress of moving his business up to Rifle, CO. Greg does great work! He put together my Dad's 6.5-284 Broughton barrel & Nesika action for light gun class. I didn't know what a crude job of machining you could find on the inside of a factory bolt. It's an eye opener. I wonder if that could be a contributor to the RPR firing pin breakage I've been reading about?