firing pin material

[sixshooter1948]

Anyone have an idea what steel to use in making a firing pin in a old stagecoach shotgun, and the hardness? Thanks for any info.

 

[shortgrass]

4350HT/4140HT/4150HT works well for most firing pins. Seems to work for most 'old' guns.

 

[jscandale]

I have made some pins for a Winchester Mod 12 out of O1 drill rod. Standard hardening, quenched with oil, then tempered. It worked very well and is still going strong.

JS

 

[Gundoktr]

IMHO, the only thing to use is S7, Drill rod will harden up too brittle and will break.

 

[DOGCAPPER]

I made a firing pin for a 20ga from the top strand of hog wire fence...Outlasted the old gentelman owner..LT

 

[shortgrass]

I made a firing pin for a 20ga from the top strand of hog wire fence...Outlasted the old gentelman owner..LT

Couldn't find the right sized nail?

 

[sixshooter1948]

Thanks guys, Thought I would try shank of an old drill bit,turn harden and temper to about RC 40-42

 

[jscandale]

IMHO, the only thing to use is S7, Drill rod will harden up too brittle and will break.

SHHHHH! Don't tell that to my drill rod! It does not yet know it's too brittle.

JS

 

[butchlambert]

I'm making one now out of S7.

 

[Robert]

I'm making one now out of S7.

Butch,
3-3,25%Cr, 1,5Mo, eh... One of the best impact resistant available, but, for the purpose, care to not harden too much...
R.G.C

 

[butchlambert]

Robert,
Actually the firing pin body will be S7 at about 48RC. The back of the original pin enlarged a few thou from the hammer hitting on it. I will drill and ream and press in a 1.5mm tool steel dowel pin that is 52RC. The main problem is the small size. Turning the .153X.500 body is not a problem, but holding it to machine a slot in the body .153 wide and .051 deep at a 75deg angle will take a little time to set up. It will also have the back of it milled a 60deg.