Firing Pin Springs & Light-weight Assemblies

[Bill Norris]

O K Guys, pardon me if this is re-hash from time past. I realize different stokes for different folks and I'm by no means wanting to put on a pot of something that boils over but was hoping to get some honest opinions here as to whether findings are in line with what I have seen from this product and also the light-weight firing pin assemblies out there. I have no proof whether either of these products actually help or harm but in my applications I can honestly say I have seen nothing that was/is detrimental to accuracy or the function of my rifles but from my experience so far I want to lean towards the side of good & helpful simply because I have seen no issues to the contrary.

 

[watercam]

I use the duo-springs in my Winchester 70 Palma rifles with no issues after thousands of rounds. I found that my bolt handle does not jump up upon firing after installing them. I used to be on the light-weight firing pin Brigade but in the end went back to factory pins (and bushed for use with small rifle primers sans cratering and blanking with Federal thinner wall primers).

 

[dannyjbiggs]

Last century, I sprung for a Tubb "SpeedLock firing pin set". It incorporated a lightweight firing pin and a overly strong firing pin spring...for a pre-64 Model 70, that I used in NRA HP. (I figured that I needed the shorter lock-time, because I wobbled a lot in the offhand position, and wallowed in the sitting position.) I used it in combination with a Jewel trigger. Honestly, it has been the best trigger set-up that I've ever had on a bolt action rifle! Only issue was that it happened to be on an action that I did not want to take into Palma and F-Class competition.

 

[alintx]

I'm freinds with one of the old warehouse shooters. He says they had better luck at the factory 28 lb weight, and standard firing pin. He's 94 now, and still shooting bugholes!

 

[timeout]

O K Guys, pardon me if this is re-hash from time past. I realize different stokes for different folks and I'm by no means wanting to put on a pot of something that boils over but was hoping to get some honest opinions here as to whether findings are in line with what I have seen from this product and also the light-weight firing pin assemblies out there. I have no proof whether either of these products actually help or harm but in my applications I can honestly say I have seen nothing that was/is detrimental to accuracy or the function of my rifles but from my experience so far I want to lean towards the side of good & helpful simply because I have seen no issues to the contrary.
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I have read on here in the past that the light weight firing pins can cause erratic ignition and thus less accuracy. I'm sure that I can't shoot well enough to determine that. I did own a model 788 Remington in my much younger days though. Seems to me one of the selling/advertising points was fast lock time. I wasn't a competition shooter but that rifle shot great groups as in bullet holes touching @ 100 yards. I didn't own any fancy rests or such. Was fast lock times a part of the equation that provided the accuracy? I sure don't know. If the guys on here that can shoot and do the testing say light firing pins can cause erratic ignition, I'll take their word for it.

 

[LarryDScott]

I used some of the Tubbs units in my 700s. If I gained
anything, I couldn't tell it. Your mileage may vary. LDS

 

[LCazador]

I change firing pin springs every 5K rounds. I started doing this back in the early 90's. I shoot both short and long range competition. The price of a spring is miniscule compared to other investments one makes to make a great shooting rifle. As for a light weight firing pin or a "speed lock" I've tried them but couldn't see any difference on target.

 

[BoydAllen]

Given how inexpensive springs are, I suggest that people who have questions do some testing. My experience with an action that has no pin drag, and has a nominal .062 firing pin tip is that it seems somewhat insensitive to spring and firing pin weight. As far as the weight of stock springs goes, I believe that 28 pounds exceeds that specification. On the 788, it has a smaller firing pin tip diameter and lighter spring than the 700. Lock time is mostly an issue for types of shooting where the rifle is held rather than supported by bags. Speedy has recently said that back in the day when the warehouse stuff was being done, that in the middle of a very successful shooting season he tried the methods described with disastrous results, and quickly switched back to what had worked so well.

 

[wkdickinson]

Last century, I sprung for a Tubb "SpeedLock firing pin set". It incorporated a lightweight firing pin and a overly strong firing pin spring...for a pre-64 Model 70, that I used in NRA HP. (I figured that I needed the shorter lock-time, because I wobbled a lot in the offhand position, and wallowed in the sitting position.) I used it in combination with a Jewel trigger. Honestly, it has been the best trigger set-up that I've ever had on a bolt action rifle! Only issue was that it happened to be on an action that I did not want to take into Palma and F-Class competition.

I did exactly the same thing, but with a post-64 M70. I shot HP with it for 10+ years in 308 Win. I am still shooting it, but in 6.5 CM and mostly off the bench. My experience was the same as yours, no issues with the Tubb "SpeedLock" system and love the Jewel trigger!

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Lots of guns have been fixed by replacing gimmicks with the factory spring and especially the pin. Ignition systems need mass not speed

 

[D-4297]

Was having a accuracy issue with my Custom Mosin .308 , Open rifle with a Mosin action . Yup ! That 70 year old Russian junk . Inconsistent trigger pull and side-ways 9's , when the conditions didn't relate . Since the rifle was equipped with a Timney trigger , set at 8 oz. , I knew that wasn't the problem , and a very knowledgeable shooter / Gunsmith suggested to look at the F/P spring , as being to stiff . Very long story shorter . Taking two coils off each end softened up the release , and many of the 9's magically disappeared . And went from low / mid 180's , to mid / high 190's overnight . Sometimes a "softer" touch is all that's required . Matching the F/P pressure to the rifle is just as much a part of it , as any other . Stiffer , harder , stronger is not always the answer . Ask your wife .

 

[adam]

I had one of those spring kits in a hunting rifle. Didn't see any difference accuracy wise, but I would have intermittent failure to fires in cold temps. Swapped it back for the original.

 

[tsyarnall]

Well, the light firing pin and spring (Tubb’s) didn’t seem to hurt his shooting, but then, it was made for a specific type of shooting.

 

[1bamashooter]

Just put a Duo in my baity talon