Firing pin keeps breaking

[Larry Koch]

Is the barrel tight? Check head space. 5000 rounds on a .243 sounds like a bunch.

 

[18trapper]

Ok. Good to know but something isn’t right or this wouldn't keep happening and there are only so many possibilities.

Start over from the beginning. As if you just started looking at it.

What did he set your pin protrusion at and don’t Google it for the correct figure.

This isn't rocket science. Something is WAY off somewhere or this wouldn't be happening. Even cheap rifles don't bend firing pins and make gouges like that.

I agree with you and I’ll be surprised if they fixed it. With the new pin in the bolt now I am planning on following the suggestions I’ve gotten and try to diagnose what I can myself.

He didn’t tell me what the pin protrusion is set at and I never asked

 

[18trapper]

Is the barrel tight? Check head space. 5000 rounds on a .243 sounds like a bunch.

I’m on my 3rd barrel. I’ve been getting around 2400 rounds out of my barrels

 

[WSnyder]

He did mention the new cocking piece would give me .005 more protrusion than I had before

Ummm…no. Mby more pin fall but not more protrusion. The firing pin shoulder limits the protrusion. If it’s not, something is definitely wrong with the bolt itself.

Your best bet is to at least send the bolt assembly to someone that knows the system and how it works to get it fixed properly.

 

[Twdmar]

Check it with with cerrosafe inside?

 

[18trapper]

Ok. Good to know but something isn’t right or this wouldn't keep happening and there are only so many possibilities.

Start over from the beginning. As if you just started looking at it.

What did he set your pin protrusion at and don’t Google it for the correct figure.

This isn't rocket science. Something is WAY off somewhere or this wouldn't be happening. Even cheap rifles don't bend firing pins and make gouges like that.

I just measured and I have .065 pin protrusion. Here is a pic of the bolt face if that helps answer any questions. Looking into the firing pin hole, the firing pin looks centered when the bolt is cocked

 

[rijndael]

The pin hole looks like oval, not round.

 

[18trapper]

The pin hole looks like oval, not round.

I saw that too. Don’t notice it until I looked at the picture. Is the very front face of the bolt supposed to show wear where it’s shined up?

 

[rijndael]

Depends if it's just a bad finish or if it's touching the barrel. I would sharpie it and see if it's touching the barrel when the bolt closes.

 

[WSnyder]

I saw that too. Don’t notice it until I looked at the picture. Is the very front face of the bolt supposed to show wear where it’s shined up?

That doesn’t necessarily mean you have a problem but you might. When cycling an action without brass the nose may touch the counterbore but with properly sized brass or ammunition it may not. Remove the firing pin assembly. Close the bolt and verify you have movement fore and aft. It may only be a small amount but .005” or more would be fine.

 

[18trapper]

Just got back from the range and shot 20 rounds. The firing pin tip is bent a little already and I can feel a burr starting to form with my finger nail. Time to send this bolt to someone who can straighten things out

 

[boltfluter]

Just got back from the range and shot 20 rounds. The firing pin tip is bent a little already and I can feel a burr starting to form with my finger nail. Time to send this bolt to someone who can straighten things out

I have never seen it, but I am beginning to wonder if the shroud threads may not be concentric to the bolt body. Unfortunately, with PTG anything is possible. Just a thought.
Paul

 

[Pawnee Bill]

Sounds like a job for Carlsbad!!

 

[Liven The Dream]

1-800-Carlsbad I'll 2nd.

 

[STS]

I have never seen it, but I am beginning to wonder if the shroud threads may not be concentric to the bolt body. Unfortunately, with PTG anything is possible. Just a thought.
Paul

Like you, I've never seen the bolt, but I had the same suspicion as you. That bolt should be put on a concentric threaded mandrel and checked for runout. I've seen some Remington bolts that would run out .100 or more when checked.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

What changed after 5000 rds(first pin break)?

 

[dellet]

What changed after 5000 rds(first pin break)?

Probably the diameter of the firing pin, or something related.

 

[DShortt]

What changed after 5000 rds(first pin break)?

Pin hole wore due to the misalignment. It finally got bad enough to cause what is happening now.
As others have said, something is forcing the pin off center. Without actually examining it, what exactly is up to speculation. But the possibilities don't make for a long list.

 

[WSnyder]

What changed after 5000 rds(first pin break)?

He changed the trigger just prior to it breaking for the first time. How or why or if it’s connected to the problem will have to be determined by who ultimately inspects the thing.

 

[18trapper]

What changed after 5000 rds(first pin break)?

Yea a trigger change somewhere in there and a new barrel. 5000 rounds on my first 2 barrels with no issues, all these issues started with my 3rd (current) barrel come to think of it