Does the PCR's firing pin Retainer pin have a Short, clean 'slot' in the center?

[Laufer]

It's very difficult to see any clear image of the ---CZ factory's 'stock' retainer pin in an original condition--- (often called the slide's Roll pin) on Google - or Youtube.

I've used both a smaller and a 1/8" punch (with tiny ball on the tip) to push the Retainer -most- of the way out of the slide.

This tiny 'slot' might be an original feature of the CZ factory's Retainer pins? The length of this slot is only a fraction of the length of the Retainer pin.

Note: I don't know how to upload images, but can easily text an image to another smartphone.
Facing the left side of my gun, held horizontally, looking directly at the mostly-removed pin, the "slot' is at approx, the 4:30 position. --------

It is similar to this (blurry image at :51)  short "slot", and according to this SP-O1 owner, No similar opening should be there.
----------- -----As a precaution, I  would like to order a few spares from CZ USA (if located on website), because my pin seems to have a visible glitch from 'moderate' dry-firing.

Apparently they are Sold Out -- if the Outer roll pin is the correct nomenclature.

"CZ Custom" has a 75B firing pin retainer pin....must be the exact type used in the PCR (75D) ?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dyE1x8nMwA

[Born2vette]

This?

https://cajungunworks.com/product/61100-tempered-spring-steel-firing-pin-retaining-pin/

[Laufer]

Born2vette: Yes, it has the same nomenclature .... but isn't the Cajun 'firing pin retainer pin' known to be solid, whereas the original CZ (to conform with the warranty) is hollow?

My factory CZ retainer pin is hollow. Everything in this PCR is stock (Czech OEM).

——Also, is the CZ “75B's”  pin (I just referred to/edited) the same pin which is the standard OEM in the PCR?

? ——If CZ Custom uses Czech factory parts,
 And Whether the 75B’s pin is correct for the PCR: that is what many of us need to know—- just to keep it simple.

Thanks, and Merry Christmas.

[Born2vette]

Born2vette: Yes, it has the same nomenclature .... but isn't the Cajun 'firing pin retainer pin' known to be solid, whereas the original CZ (to conform with the warranty) is hollow?

My factory CZ retainer pin is hollow. Everything in this PCR is stock (Czech OEM).

——Also, is the CZ “75B's”  pin (I just referred to/edited) the same pin which is the standard OEM in the PCR?

? ——If CZ Custom uses Czech factory parts,
 And Whether the 75B’s pin is correct for the PCR: that is what many of us need to know—- just to keep it simple.

Thanks, and Merry Christmas.

My CZ guru gunsmith says you cannot reuse the factory roll pins at all and recommends replacement with solid pins whenever working on CZs. My PCR is fully cajunized (pro pack) and the kit comes with the pins. The CZ custom pin is the ‘new style’ and is supposedly different from the stock ‘old style’ pin.  I cannot imagine changing the pin would void the warranty and suspect the roll pin is cheaper than a solid pin thus why CZ uses them. Mine is a dream to shoot! I do not worry about the factory warranty as I modify many of my firearms to suit me.

You need to do with yours what you feel is right.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

[Rmach]

The newer replacement roll pins for the firing pin are hardened and hollow.

[Laufer]

Just ordered two of them from Cajun. Thanks very much for the info.

Y'all have a Safe and Merry Christmas.

---------------Per my original question, finally, after a good while spent on Youtube, the answer is No--

the OEM " firing pin retaining pin " should Never have a very short, oval-shaped 'slot' in the center of the pin.
Such a weird slot appears to be (on Youtube) a typical symptom of whichever type of excessive wear.

I can't yet find out whether a moderate amount of 'dry-firing' causes more stress on that pin than the approx. 800-1,000 rds. used in the gun ?

----How about 1,000 rds. with No 'dry-firing' at all? Possibly similar stress can be evident on the retainer pin?

[M1A4ME]

The design requires a "pin" to retain the firing pin in place in the slide.

The pin works with the notch in the firing pin to allow the firing pin to move forward when the firing pin is struck by the hammer. 

The firing pin may/may not strike the back of the roll pin when moving forward.  I've pulled one brand new CZ slide apart (never dry fired by me) and found the factory roll pin damaged.

Two metal pieces, smacking into each other, is going to result in damage.  What do you want damaged?  The cheap roll pin or the expensive firing pin?  If you neglect best practices (taking steps to stop/minimize the damage by using snap caps or an o-ring in the back of the slide to stop the hammer from hitting the firing pin) the two metal pieces will make contact and damage will occur.  How much damage?  Depends on how the parts fit and how much drying firing is done.  Which part will keep functioning as intended as the damage occurs/increases?  You want the gun to continue to fire even as damage occurs.  So which part allows the pistol to function even as it's being damaged?  The roll pin side being damaged/crushed in?  Or the firing pin taking damage in the notch?  I don't know but I'll be the CZ engineers/technicians have tested/seen enough to know which part needs to be the part that can keep the pistol operating longer as it's condition deteriorates.

CZ pistols are not the only pistols that use a pin (of some kind) to retain the striker/firing pin in place.  XD/XDM pistols have been reported to have damaged/broken pins, too.

Who's to say which type of pin lasts the longest and suffers the least damage or least chance of resulting in a pistol malfunction as the damage increases?  Everyone thinks they have a good/better idea and develop/market/sell that idea/part.

The advantage I see to the factory roll pin (or any roll type pin) is it installs easily, it's cheap, it minimizes damage to the firing pin from repeated strikes, it shouldn't cause any damage to the slide when installed/removed and it compresses when installed (larger OD than the hole in the slide and the slot allows it to compress a bit when driven/pressed into the slide) and the tendency to try to expand locks it into the hole firmly.

It's a non-issue for 99% of the people who own CZs.  Many of the people who complain about repeated issues have repeated issues because they fail to take steps to protect the pin while dry firing.

I haven't broken one yet.  I only seldom dry fire and then only a couple times to function check things after a cleaning session.

Good luck with your CZ pistol.  Many of the members here own/shoot/carry PCRs and really like them a lot.  You've got a good pistol.

[Laufer]

M1A4ME:

 That’s a superb summary.  Very well-done. Merry Christmas.

UPDATE: the new CGW retainer pin was installed, and I will certainly use one of my (9x19) Snap Caps while doing any Dry-Firing.

My nephew bought a nib 75B about two weeks ago, and has just ordered a CGW pin simply to use as a precaution.