Colt Commander Firing Pin Stop

[Smuckatelli]

I did a search, no luck finding info on this.

Last week I had 2 stoppages caused by the firing pin stop sliding down and catching the hammer after the case was ejected which stopped the slide’s forward momentum.

Sliding the firing pin stop back up and it continued to cycle for another 40-50 rounds before it happened a second time. I did a repeat of sliding it up and shot another 40-50 rounds and then secured for the day.

The gun is 17 months from NIB, Series 80, no alterations, and 5250 rounds through it. Visual inspection shows no detectable issues with the firing pin, firing pin spring, firing pin plunger, and plunger spring.

Any thoughts on what the issue is?

[HackerF15E]

@Smuckatelli

I did a search, no luck finding info on this.

Last week I had 2 stoppages caused by the firing pin stop sliding down and catching the hammer after the case was ejected which stopped the slide’s forward momentum.

Sliding the firing pin stop back up and it continued to cycle for another 40-50 rounds before it happened a second time. I did a repeat of sliding it up and shot another 40-50 rounds and then secured for the day.

The gun is 17 months from NIB, Series 80, no alterations, and 5250 rounds through it. Visual inspection shows no detectable issues with the firing pin, firing pin spring, firing pin plunger, and plunger spring.

Any thoughts on what the issue is?

Sounds like just a sloppy fit between the pin stop and the slide.

Good opportunity to buy an EGW oversize firing pin stop with a small radius on the bottom!

The small radius gives a small reduction in recoil, and the oversize should fit in the slot in the slide better than the stock one apparently does.

[3_AE]

For the stop to slide down in its groove, the firing pin has to be forward enough so that it loses contact of the stop. Seems like for that to happen, the firing pin spring has weakened to the point where it no longer keeps the firing pin in its proper place during the entire cycling of the weapon. I would try changing out the firing pin spring first along with a thorough cleaning of the firing pin channel regardless of the visual condition of the spring. Wilson Combat recommends changing out the spring @5000 rounds.

[Timbonez]

@3_AE

For the stop to slide down in its groove, the firing pin has to be forward enough so that it loses contact of the stop. Seems like for that to happen, the firing pin spring has weakened to the point where it no longer keeps the firing pin in its proper place during the entire cycling of the weapon. I would try changing out the firing pin spring first along with a thorough cleaning of the firing pin channel regardless of the visual condition of the spring. Wilson Combat recommends changing out the spring @5000 rounds.

ETA, That was for a 5" gun. For Commanders, I’ve seen the recommended changeout count as low as 2000-2500 rounds.

The size of the firearm shouldn’t have any bearing on how quickly the firing pin spring wears out. Are you sure you aren’t talking about the recoil spring?

[3_AE]

You’re right. The 5000 round changeout was for the firing pin spring as recommended by Wilson. The 2500 round changeout was for the recoil spring for shorter 4"-4 1/4" models. Even though many owners changeout both at the same time. I stand corrected.

[Timbonez]

@3_AE

You’re right. The 5000 round changeout was for the firing pin spring as recommended by Wilson. The 2500 round changeout was for the recoil spring for shorter 4"-4 1/4" models. Even though many owners changeout both at the same time. I stand corrected.

Agreed. In my limited experience, this is sound advice.

[Dave_Berryhill]

The heavy duty firing pin spring sold by Wolff and others is stronger than the stock Colt spring and that should help. As the others have said, fitting an oversized firing pin stop will also help.