Firing pin snapped in half

[Jongie123]

Hi guys, newb in the AR world here. About a month ago I bought a PSA lower and a PSA upper with a nickel boron BCG made by Toolcraft acordong to the description. I went to the range and shot 150 rounds no problem. When I went home I cleaned it and then proceeded to function check. I dry fire it like 20 times and no problem. Ive always read that is safe to dry fire with the upper on. Read that the military do it thousands of times no problem. The next day when I pick it up I noticed something rattling inside, that's when I noticed the firing pin was broken. I Google broken firing pins and all I seen is the tip breaking but didn't foumd any firing pin breaking like this. The cotter pin was intact and installed correctly through both holes. Do anyone has any idea why this happened? Was prob a MIM defect, or maybe the steel or alloy of wasn't heat treated properly? Maybe bolt out of spec? Should I buy just the firing pin or I should buy a new bolt or bcg from a reputable company? Thank you

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[Wake27]

I believe Nickel Boron has lead to some serious issues, which have been discussed here. Consensus seems that the best coatings other than phosphate are Ion Bond (BCM), NP3 (tons of manufacturers), or whatever chrome KAC uses. That said, I‘m not sure if that BCG has everything coated in Nickel Boron or just the bolt and carrier. If you can swing the price, I’d swap the entire thing for a phosphate BCG. The PSA premium one would probably even be an improvement if you don’t want to pay the $150ish for a better one. If that’s too much, go to BCM’s site and buy as many of their BCG components as you’re willing to spend money on. Obviously firing pin first, but the SOPMOD rebuild kit is probably a good idea too, even a bolt if you’re up for the $70 tag. Your use should not have caused that to happen if all of the parts were in spec, dry fire or not.


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[Stickman]

Hi guys, newb in the AR world here. About a month ago I bought a PSA lower and a PSA upper with a nickel boron BCG made by Toolcraft acordong to the description.

Your problem appears at the start of your info, and is quoted above. PSA runs into more returns, defective, broken parts, and customer issues than every other manufacturer put together it seems.



ETA- Don't worry, some apologist will come out and say its a normal occurrence, and the retailer has nothing to do with it because they don't make the parts. It is correct, the parts are made to the specs of the retailer, and stated above, it comes up over and over with the same company having issues.

[Jongie123]

I believe Nickel Boron has lead to some serious issues, which have been discussed here. Consensus seems that the best coatings other than phosphate are Ion Bond (BCM), NP3 (tons of manufacturers), or whatever chrome KAC uses. That said, I‘m not sure if that BCG has everything coated in Nickel Boron or just the bolt and carrier. If you can swing the price, I’d swap the entire thing for a phosphate BCG. The PSA premium one would probably even be an improvement if you don’t want to pay the $150ish for a better one. If that’s too much, go to BCM’s site and buy as many of their BCG components as you’re willing to spend money on. Obviously firing pin first, but the SOPMOD rebuild kit is probably a good idea too, even a bolt if you’re up for the $70 tag. Your use should not have caused that to happen if all of the parts were in spec, dry fire or not.


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I've been reading alot since I bought it. I see bcg and barrel are the 2 things I should get good quality. I'll prob order the BCM ion bond. Thank you.

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[Jongie123]

Your problem appears at the start of your info, and is quoted above. PSA runs into more returns, defective, broken parts, and customer issues than every other manufacturer put together it seems.



ETA- Don't worry, some apologist will come out and say its a normal occurrence, and the retailer has nothing to do with it because they don't make the parts. It is correct, the parts are made to the specs of the retailer, and stated above, it comes up over and over with the same company having issues.

For sure. It was my first rifle and the price was right. I thought I was getting a good value. I've sent PSA 2 emails four days ago with no reply yet.I Don't think they will. Oh well, lesson learned.

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[TomMcC]

I've been reading alot since I bought it. I see bcg and barrel are the 2 things I should get good quality. I'll prob order the BCM ion bond. Thank you.

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Actually you should get good quality everything. But you have what you have...so buy 2 quality FP's from someone mentioned here. One being a spare.

[kirkland]

I would ditch the NiB BCG in favor of a Milspec phosphate one, like a BCM or a Colt. NiB is nothing but trouble and really any fancy coating on a BCG is just not needed.

[boss_hawg]

Unless this is a duty rifle then I wouldn’t ditch anything other than the broken firing pin. You can replace those for pretty cheap from a reputable manufacturer.

[prepare]

Wonder if it was a titanium firing pin? I have read that titanium pins are prone to break in half.

[P2000]

Is it possible that after shooting, prior to dry firing session you assembled the bolt incorrectly, with the firing pin not fully inserted in the bcg? Then the hammer would smack the firing pin at an angle and break it.