Titanium fire pin does it help?

sig5005

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Minuteman
Aug 18, 2012
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Ohio, USA
Ive seen titanium firepins for sale and they say that they make a difference and are lighter and faster. Anyone switched to one and did it actually make a difference or is it a scam?
 
Re: Titanium fire pin does it help?

The things I've read have touted shorter lock time, and reduced risk of slam fires.
I have not used one, basic physics indicates they probably do decrease locktime, which is one of those things that probably won't make much difference most shooters. I've had allot of dimpled primers of varying degrees, in fact every one I've ever ejected that an AR chambered, but I've never had a slam fire, so I'm not worried about reducing the risk.
I would worry about mis-fires from the pin not having enough mass, atleast until I ran it long enough without any.
 
Re: Titanium fire pin does it help?

Plus one on the suggestion of a high end two stage trigger like the Geiselle or CG Xtreme whose lock times are in the 4 to 4.5ms range. This is more than twice as good as a standard mil spec trigger whose lock time could be as much as 10 to 12 ms. I could see the possibility of decreased slam fires, but not reduced lock time with an inertia based system like the AR. Also, if you pop a primer say goodbye to the firing pin tip and they don't wear as well if you don't have a shrouded carrier. Slam fires would not be an issue with a spring biased firing pin like the Armalite offers anyway.
 
Re: Titanium fire pin does it help?

Buying one is like buying a gas tube cleaner. Spend your money on a good trigger like everyone else said. I wouldn't waste my money on something that won't change a thing but could become a problem.
 
Re: Titanium fire pin does it help?

Improved locktime can solve a problem, but the problem is not as common as it might seem.

If the rifle is being swung, as in wing shooting, or is unsupported, as in offhand; then a faster locktime <span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">may</span></span> offer a benefit.

If the rifle is being fired from a bipod or rest, or from a relatively steady sling-supported position, it's highly unlikely that any noticeable benefit will result.

Greg
 
Re: Titanium fire pin does it help?

They don't last very long compared to a steel firing pin. The one I tried lasted about 1200 rds before it started puncturing primers, which really caused problems. . . . .

Stick with a normal firing pin. Buy spares with the $ you would have spent on the Ti one. . .
 
Re: Titanium fire pin does it help?

". . . does it help?"

Help just exactly WHAT problem???

Lock time is really a factor only when you have a wobble area that causes you concern, and even then a faster lock time is likely to "help" only for whatever percentage of shots you fire which break as the bullet-launcher is drifting AWAY from the target.

If you're out and drifting TOWARDS the target, then faster lock time doesn't help, it can hurt.

Think it through.

I do not believe that the difference in lock time is enough to make a practical difference.

Solution in search of a problem, as Col. Cooper used to say.
 
Re: Titanium fire pin does it help?

I'm guessing that the same thing that reduces lock time, is the same thing that reduces the chance of slam fires....and also causes the misfires. There just isn't any free lunch, as with prescription drugs, even the best ones have some side effect(s).