FIRING PIN- FLOATING OR SPRING LOADED

[LAARS]

How can I tell the difference between a floating firing pin and a spring loaded one. Is it obvious which is which.The next question is how do I get the pin out.

[SELECT-FIRE]

Laars, a floating firing pin will remain in the forward position if you push it forward while the bolt is removed from the gun. The spring-loaded ones, if working properly, will return to the recessed position when pressure is released. To remove the firing pin, get a small pin punch (can't remember exactly what size), mount the bolt in a non-marring vice, and CAREFULLY drive out the retaining pin that holds the firing pin in the bolt. Some come out without too much trouble, but others can be a real bear. I would not recommend that you do this unless the firing pin is broken, bent, or not functioning for some reason. It is not necessary to remove the firing pin for routine cleaning in most guns (AR-15's being the exception).

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They're Coming......

[LAARS]

thanks select-fire, I thought it was that simple to tell but I wanted to make sure before I ordered a few pins. I was told that if my bolt was for the spring loaded pin I could use either one but if the bolt was for a floating pin I could only replace it with a floating firing pin. Im not sure which bolt I have so I will just get a free floating which is what is installed now. I'm glad you dont have to remove the pin for cleaning since that looks like a real pain removing the set pin. Thanks again for the info.

[This message has been edited by LAARS (edited 02-08-2000).]

[grenadier]

Buy yourself one of the chinese buttstock cleaning kits. They are cheap, cheap, and contain everything you need to field-strip an AK. The pin punch on the combination wrench is the right size for disassembling the bolt( no guesswork!), the combo tool also functions as a wrench for adjusting the front sight for elevation. The cap on the kit is a muzzle protector to be slipped over the cleaning rod to prevent damage to the muzzle crown while running the rod through the bore. The body of the tool kit case is perforated at various points for use as a wrench on certain parts, like the gas tube release lever. it can also be used as a handle for the original cleaning rod on the weapon. And it all fits right in the buttstock trap with a little room to spare. Nifty, huh?

[Coder21]

AK-47 are free floating..I read if you reload to be sure to use a primer thick enough or hard enough to prevent a slamfire when you close the bolt. Originally posted by LAARS:
How can I tell the difference between a floating firing pin and a spring loaded one. Is it obvious which is which.The next question is how do I get the pin out.

[heavymetal]

Most Poly Tech's have spring loaded firing pins. It was something they advertised about that their AK's were safer by preventing slamfires. I think it's a good idea but not worried either way.

[56s-1]

Hello.
I have a couple of new Chinese buttstock cleaning kits for sale if anyone wants one.
Drop me an E-mail for a price.
Thanks and OUT

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56s

[7th Fleet]

Every Polytech that I have seen has the spring loaded firing pins and the Norincos can have both. But Norincos usually have floating firing pins. The exception in my collection is my BWK-92 .223 Norinco which has the spring loaded firing pin.

...7th

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