Pencil test for fireing pin

[Lock-n-load]

Just out of curiosity I did a pencil test on my cz”s like you would on a 1911…. All pistols with Cz custom hammers and Cz extended fireing pin , even with Cajun gunworks extended fireing pin shot pencil out about 2feet. All Cajun gunworks race hammer with extended fireing pin would not move pencil very much, maybe a inch .. All have blue Cajun hammer springs.all shoot ammo without issue…what would cause this? .. Cz custom hammer somehow makes the fireing pin stick out more? …wondering 🤔🤔

[M1A4ME]

I've done the pencil tests some over the years.

More for trouble shooting.  Can't get a real "number" on how hard the firing pin hits the primer from the pencil test.

I know my old Colt 1911 will bounce a pencil off the ceiling.  I know my M&P (striker fired) pistols won't even toss the pencil up above the muzzle with the factory striker springs.  Both go bang when I pull the trigger.

The pencil test will tell me whether the firing pin/striker is actually moving enough to come through the firing pin hole in the slide to hit the primer.  Just not how hard it really hits (numbers).  I've had a couple instances of timing/parts fitting issues resulting in failures to fire.  The pencil test will tell me right away if the firing pin/striker is hung up/not moving like it should.

In order to be useful, over time, you might want to do it with a new pistol (new to you) and record the info/observations for later referral is problems did develop.

[jurek]

Agreed with M1A4ME.
I do not see consistency or any pattern with pencil moving distance.
P-01 with factory firing pin and extended one never shot pencil out of barrel.
P-07 do the same.
2011s do the same.
1911s shoot the pencil 3 - 4 feet away.

All firing pins stick out same way. I'm thinking it has more to do with energy transferred from hammer to pencil so pin's weight and spring's tension play the main roles.

Good advice from M1A4ME:
In order to be useful, over time, you might want to do it with a new pistol (new to you) and record the info/observations for later referral is problems did develop.
With few firearms it's easy to remember. With big collection it would be a great idea to keep records of it.

[M1A4ME]

How far can a non-series 80 (might not be any different but I've never tried my Series 80 under the same conditions) 1911 launch a pencil?

I was sitting at the Chief's desk one night after cleaning my Combat Commander.  I put a pencil in the barrel, held it straight out in front of me, pointed it straight up and pulled the trigger.  The darn pencil stuck in the celotex ceiling.  I was lucky it was one of those textures with all the little holes/partial holes in the panels.

If I recall, the only striker fired pistol I have seen a "good" launch from is my XD 5" Tactical .45. 

Some pistols just make the pencil bounce but stay in the barrel.

Some pistols will launch the pencil a few inches to a foot or so above the muzzle.  If you're ready you can reach out and grab it about the time it begins to fall back.

[eastman]

with some pistols, the extractor makes too much contact with the pencil for a good launch - note how much better a .45 launches the pencil than a 9mm

[dbarn]

If you look closely at the extended firing pins for the firing pin retaining models of CZ 75, for both CZC and CGW, you'll note that the shelf for the firing pin retainer is more elongated on the CZC version.

I've found that no matter the hammer, the CZC version will launch the pencil further than the CGW version. How much this has to do with primer ignition however appears to be debatable. From what I understand the CGW version is designed to work more efficiently with the firing pin block and their firing pin block lifter. Additionally it's slightly longer.

[Joe L]

with some pistols, the extractor makes too much contact with the pencil for a good launch - note how much better a .45 launches the pencil than a 9mm

This.  Try rotating the pistol 90 degrees around the barrel axis so the extractor is up and the pencil is resting 180 degrees down and away from the extractor and try it again.  Or push the extractor down so it isn't extended in to the chamber and try the pencil test again.   For the 9mm CZ's the extractor can mess up an otherwise very scientific and exacting pencil launch.  And use a new clean pencil with an eraser that isn't worn or hard, not a dog toy.

[Lock-n-load]

If you look closely at the extended firing pins for the firing pin retaining models of CZ 75, for both CZC and CGW, you'll note that the shelf for the firing pin retainer is more elongated on the CZC version.

I've found that no matter the hammer, the CZC version will launch the pencil further than the CGW version. How much this has to do with primer ignition however appears to be debatable. From what I understand the CGW version is designed to work more efficiently with the firing pin block and their firing pin block lifter. Additionally it's slightly longer.

My findings exactly I think you solved it!