Modify Factory Firing Pin

[Steve Menegon]

I have been wondering about this for some time. The factory FP has that little bump on it that seems to be the cause of the quick demise of the factory firing pin roll pin. The roll pin in my 97 was in bad shape after less than 500 rounds. I installed the Pro package from CGW and saw how bad the roll pin was and the bump fit perfectly in it. Why not modify the factory firing pin and remove the bump? More surface area when contacting the FPRP.

I'm not trying to dissuade anyone from using CGW or CZC stuff, I was just curious if this would work. I put CGW kits in my 3 CZ handguns.

I did a one out of curiosity and polished it up a bit, but never installed it. It may need a stronger return spring due to additional travel, but it may be easier on the roll pin. Thoughts?


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[Tok36]

   If i am reading you correctly, this is in line with part of the design of the CGW Firing Pin. Below are some reference pics that CGW shared long ago. I believe that this alone can slow the cumulative damage to the Factory Firing Pin Retaining Pin, but it may still die at some point. This may be why the improved FPRP came into being.

An interesting project, i look forward to hearing what you find out.

Factory FP.


CGW FP

[SI VIS PACEM PARRABELLUM]

That looks like an interesting idea. If the firing pin is hardened through and through I'd think it would work pretty well. Then if it's only surface hardened removing any material could also remove the surface hardening and create a wear pattern on the firing pin as well.
I'd give CGW a shout and see how their firing pins are hardened and proceed from there.

[DJK11]

So when one removes “that little bump” does that increase the travel of the FP?  If yes will it be enough to pierce the primer?

Tok, thanks for the pictures.

[M1A4ME]

Not just additional firing pin protrusion through the breechface but also more compression of the firing pin returning spring.

It may not be enough to matter but if you get enough compression to cause the coils to make contact with each other on every shot it may weaken/damage the firing pin return spring.  I think they call it coil bind?  It's supposed to be a recipe for spring death in some applications.  Can't say it matters with firing pin return springs.

If I was going to do that I'd measure protrusion (one way or another) before the mod to the rear of that slot and then measure it again after the mod.  At least then you'd start getting some numbers and some idea of what worked, didn't work for that particular gun.

[Steve Menegon]

Thanks for the input guys.  I found that my 97BD worked perfectly with the bump. I found the bump protruding into the firing pin retaining pin when I had torn it apart to install the Cajun gun works kit. I did not install the CGW  kit due to any failure, but rather to improve the gun to what I had achieved with the other two CZ's. The firing pin had to be traveling further than when new. Possibly the same distance as it would with bump removed recalling the indentation in the original pin. I should have looked at primer strikes, but had not thought about doing so with 500 rounds using factory ammo.

Coil bind is bad on valve springs. I am not certain of compressed length on firing pin spring, but I bet I could figure it out and see.

Hardness I have no clue. Probably would be best to contact CGW and see what input they may have.

Tok, pics were great. I remember noting that difference in the CGW firing pin when installing them 👍😁.

[Steve Menegon]

Here is a pic of the original firing pin retaining pin from my 97. That firing pin was traveling into the pin full depth of the bump. I may tear my SP01 apart and swap the firing pins just to see how long it lasts, but I am hesitant because it works so well. If it ain't broke....

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[Steve Menegon]

I forgot, I have one for the SP01 ready to go, same as in first picture. 97 is longer.

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[M1A4ME]

You know, the .45 acp is a much lower pressure cartridge than the 9's/40's so some additional firing pin length may not cause holes in the primers.

Won't know till you try it though.

Good luck.