7.62x39 firing pin mod?

[jlwilliams]

  I looked through the FAQ and searched a little and did not find the answer to my question.

  Can I modify or replace the firing pin in a factory 7.62x39 Handi to fire the deeper, harder milsurp primers?  If I do that, will it still shoot the softer primers found in better/ hand loaded ammo?

  I know I have heard of something like this, and I imagine I heard it on Graybeard.  Now I just can't seem to find the info now that I have come to own one of the guns.

[trotterlg]

First thing to do if figure out which part of the system is limiting the fireing pin travel so you know what to grind on to fix it.  Could be the sholder on the fireing pin at the base of the small pin, could be the pin that goes through the frame that holds the fireing pin in place, could be the part of the hammer that hits the frame above the transfer bar, or it could be that nothing you do will let you get the pin further out without making a new fireing pin that is longer.  I would measure the protrusion you get and compare it with a rifle that will fire that ammo, I think about .045 is about all you want to have sticking out, less than about .030 probably won't make it.  Check my numbers, I am old and have had a drink or two this afternoon.  Larry

[quickdtoo]

Larry is right on with his numbers, I've measured several, .030" is below normal, .050" is long. IIRC, someone had some pins made of titanium to help with the 7.62 Russian misfires using milsurp ammo.

Tim

[jlwilliams]

  Thanks, Gents.  I should be able to get going with that.

[twocan]

Good luck!!! I played with mine for more than 2 years before working the miss fires out. I now have .060 of firing pin that sticks out but i only started with .035 or .040, it still just barely dings the primers. I replased the spring, that did not work. I only neck sized the brass, that help some. Then i bought 200 rounds of small primer brass and only neck size them, Its a shooter now. But it will not shoot factory ammo