firing pin

[acf]

I have a G19 and have noticed that I can hear the firing pin rattle when in the "ready to fire" (trigger forward) position. The only time I don't hear the pin rattle is when starting to depress the smaller part of the trigger. When I went to the local gun store and checked the other glocks they did not do this. Is this normal?? Possible part of wear-in??

[Kal El in SLO]

normal. it is just the firing pin contacting the firing pin safety.

[acf]

Thanks a million, I was worried that something might be wrong.

[Glock4Life]

I was going to say the opposite. Seems like in the trigger forward position, the trigger bar extension would be pressing on the FP safety and it's spring which shouldn't make for noise at the interface due to the tension the spring provides. I've personally not heard it anyway. Only time I've heard of FP rattle is with a rearward trigger.

[Kal El in SLO]

I was going to say the opposite. Seems like in the trigger forward position, the trigger bar extension would be pressing on the FP safety and it's spring which shouldn't make for noise at the interface due to the tension the spring provides. I've personally not heard it anyway. Only time I've heard of FP rattle is with a rearward trigger.

Not to be rude, but if you really think about what you just wrote....you'll notice that such a gun would be very dangerous. If the trigger bar extension were to press the firing pin safety with the trigger forward......there wouldn't be a need for a firing pin safety at all, because it wouldn't work. The firing pin safety is designed to disengage ONLY when the trigger is pulled, not when it is forward.

[Bronson7]

It doesn't sound right to me. Call Glock and ask them. I'm thinking there should not be any rattle as the striker is partially loaded and the FPS is spring loaded to the "safe" position. I've tried to duplicate your situation with my G30 but could not. When shaking my gun, I do hear the slide rattle on the frame. I'd have it checked out.
Are you sure it's not something else you're hearing?
Bronson7

[Glock4Life]

Kal,
You're right. I had always thought that the extension touched the FP safety with the slightest bit of tension and the trigger pull just continued to move the safety upward to allow the FP to move forward. After checking it out closer though, it doesn't make contact with the FP safety until partway through the pretravel. Although I don't see how it would be particulary dangerous if it DID so long as it still required a full trigger pull to engage the FP safety to it's "fire" position. Anyway, mine doesn't rattle with the trigger forward like the original poster had menioned due to the gap between the extension and the FP safety. Sorry about the initial error, I've been away from GT for an extended period and it's showing.:rollingeyes:

[acf]

Everyone, I went to a gunstore today and when checking out another 19 heard the same noise. I also talked with Glock and Kal was correct. Normal. Thanks everyone for the post and concern. I really like the forum and look forward to checking out more topics.

[Bronson7]

Well, that's a new one on me. Learn something everyday.
Bronson7

[Kal El in SLO]

i guess i should have mentioned that im a glock armorer. but just because i am one, dont take what i say as the bottom line. i just try to help the best i can and i think you did the right thing by calling glock.

one thing's for sure.....dont under estimate the importance of the firing pin safety. if you ever have a doubt about it's functionality, make sure to run all firing pin safety function tests before using your glock.

[acf]

Thanks Kal, I appreciate it.

[RandySmith]

What are you hearing the firing pin do?

It is normal for it to move back and forth slightly with the trigger in the rearward position. It should not move at all with the trigger in the forward position.

Randy

[acf]

I first noticed the noise when examining the slide and noticed that the firing pin was moving slightly in the channel. I did the firing pin safety check and it showed that the safety was fine. I noticed that after depressing the safety and moving the pin forward as if it had been fired that it didn't rattle. I then placed the slide back on the frame and could hear it rattle when shaking the gun. I posted this forum and talked with Glock and ended up sending it to them. I received a call friday and they said it was normal to move a little in the forward and reverse position. I've checked out other glocks in the store, some rattle, some don't. The G19 that I handled on Saturday made the same noise so after reading the post on this thread, talking with Glock, and hearing the noise in another G19 I'm chalking it up to okay.

Glock also made mention of a good point, some people really grease up a glock so rattle won't be heard as much, but as most people know, less is better when it comes to properly cleaning and lubricating glocks.

[RandySmith]

What you describe above sounds right.

What you originally posted does not:


I have a G19 and have noticed that I can hear the firing pin rattle when in the "ready to fire" (trigger forward) position.


Randy

[acf]

Well, the nice thing about these forums is that you learn all the lingo and terms that are used to describe everything. At first, all I knew was that the pin rattled when examing the slide and rattled when on the frame. Thru these and other postings I've been able to learn more about these interesting contraptions called "Glocks":supergrin:

[Bronson7]

Well, is it normal or not? Initially I was definitely inclined to say no, that is definitely not normal as per the original post. Then I began questioning my own knowledge in view of posts by fellow GT'rs with more experience than myself. In a later post the OP say he was checking the slide OFF the frame in which case it is normal. The last post says it "rattles on the frame". What the heck? Kal, if this is normal, please tell me why and how 'cause this whole thread is ripping apart what I thought I knew about the Glock's Safe Action.
Bronson7

[RandySmith]

Well, is it normal or not? Initially I was definitely inclined to say no, that is definitely not normal as per the original post. Then I began questioning my own knowledge in view of posts by fellow GT'rs with more experience than myself.


No - it is not normal for the firing pin to rattle with the slide on the frame while the trigger is in the forward position. That was my reason for trying to clarify the first post.


In a later post the OP say he was checking the slide OFF the frame in which case it is normal.


The firing pin can rattle a little when the slide is off the frame once the firing pin has been pulled out of engagement with the firing pin safety.

If you press the firing pin safety and shake the slide, the firing pin will rattle more (it can move farther in the slide at this point).


The last post says it "rattles on the frame". What the heck? Kal, if this is normal, please tell me why and how 'cause this whole thread is ripping apart what I thought I knew about the Glock's Safe Action.


The firing pin can rattle when the slide is on the frame and the trigger is to the rear. The trigger bar depresses the firing pin safety in this condition.

Randy

[Bronson7]

Originally posted by RandySmith
No - it is not normal for the firing pin to rattle with the slide on the frame while the trigger is in the forward position. That was my reason for trying to clarify the first post.



The firing pin can rattle a little when the slide is off the frame once the firing pin has been pulled out of engagement with the firing pin safety.

If you press the firing pin safety and shake the slide, the firing pin will rattle more (it can move farther in the slide at this point).

[b]

The firing pin can rattle when the slide is on the frame and the trigger is to the rear. The trigger bar depresses the firing pin safety in this condition.


Randy
I hear that Randy! So I'm not crazy after all. Had me wondering there for a moment.
Bronson7

[Kal El in SLO]

Originally posted by RandySmith
No - it is not normal for the firing pin to rattle with the slide on the frame while the trigger is in the forward position. That was my reason for trying to clarify the first post.



The firing pin can rattle a little when the slide is off the frame once the firing pin has been pulled out of engagement with the firing pin safety.

If you press the firing pin safety and shake the slide, the firing pin will rattle more (it can move farther in the slide at this point).

[b]

The firing pin can rattle when the slide is on the frame and the trigger is to the rear. The trigger bar depresses the firing pin safety in this condition.

Randy

Are you under the impression that the firing pin safety holds the firing pin secure?....because this is not the case. The firing pin safety just blocks the path of the firing pin. That is why the firing pin can slightly rattle against the firing pin safety.

I dont know what to tell you guys. GLOCK instructors will tell you that it's normal. The original poster called GLOCK and they said it was normal. I personally have handled MANY GLOCKs, and can tell you with confidence that it is normal.

I want to clarify one thing though; when the trigger is fully forward and the gun is shaken....there should only be SLIGHT rattle. If the rattle you hear when the trigger is pulled and when the trigger is fully forward are the same....then there is a problem. It should be very obvious when the firing pin safety is not engaged.

[Bronson7]

Originally posted by Kal El in SLO
Are you under the impression that the firing pin safety holds the firing pin secure?....because this is not the case. The firing pin safety just blocks the path of the firing pin. That is why the firing pin can slightly rattle against the firing pin safety.

I dont know what to tell you guys. GLOCK instructors will tell you that it's normal. The original poster called GLOCK and they said it was normal. I personally have handled MANY GLOCKs, and can tell you with confidence that it is normal.

I want to clarify one thing though; when the trigger is fully forward and the gun is shaken....there should only be SLIGHT rattle. If the rattle you hear when the trigger is pulled and when the trigger is fully forward are the same....then there is a problem. It should be very obvious when the firing pin safety is not engaged.

Kal, how can the striker move if it's partially under load? The FPS is spring loaded also. I'm not being a smart a@#, just trying to get this down as I'm just not seeing it. I just went through this whole thing again with my G30 and I was able to hear faintly what sounded like the firing pin, but for the life of me, I couldn't figure out how. Edited to make sense and not to look like a total goober.
Bronson7

[RandySmith]

Are you under the impression that the firing pin safety holds the firing pin secure?


Secure? No, not at all. The firing pin *could* be in a position where it is pinched between the firing pin safety and firing pin channel. That depends upon how the slide was taken off of the frame - pointed up or pointed down. It won't 'rattle' in this condition.

I guess we are going to have to come up with a definition for 'rattle' now. The sound you hear when the firing pin is not impeded by the firing pin safety and the slide is shaken fore and aft is the sound generally described with the word 'rattle'. If there is some other faint noise to be heard when you shake the gun (trigger in the forward position), you will have to hold the slide in place to hear it. It makes a heck of a racket.

Guess we need to define that one now...


The original poster called GLOCK and they said it was normal.


The original poster also posted that the trigger was in the forward position then posted that it was in the rearward position. I can see how the person answering the phone at glock would have easily been confused.

Randy

[RandySmith]

So the striker is not partially sprung with the trigger full forward.


No, it is under tension in that condition.

Here are some videos (http://www.dt-concepts.com/ca/ca.html) which show the parts in question.

Randy

[acf]

Hello gentlemen, I see that I have opened up an ongoing dialogue about this situation that seems to be continuing. After reading your post I feel that I do need to clarify that I heard, and still hear, the firing pin rattle when off the frame with the pin having not gone forward as if it has not been fired, another words as if it where in the "forward" position. When I press the firing pin safety and push the pin forward it does not rattle.

When I put the slide back on the frame, and work the slide, the gun is now in the "forward" or "ready to fire" position, when I shake the gun in a side to side fashion it does make a slight rattle, and it is not that noticable. When depressing the trigger, it does not rattle because the pin is now receiving pressure(I guess that it why, all I know is that it does not rattle in process of working trigger) once the pin is fired then it rattles with the trigger fully depressed, or in the "rear position".

So to again clarify, it rattles off the frame and on the frame.

In the process of the post I felt necessary to go ahead and send in the gun to glock, they called back and did clarify that this was normal, they went over it, test fired it, cleaned it, and confirmed that it was "normal"

Also, as stated in one of my earlier post, I picked up another G19 in the gunstore on Saturday and noticed the same noise. While other glocks did not have the same noice in all cases this could very well be because they haven't been shot more the the 2x at Glock and are also more lubricated.

In summary, I do have complete confidence in my G19.

I appreciate all of you and the concern, study, and comments you have made to reassure me that this is okay.

thanks,

af

[acf]

Randy,

After just posting another reply I took some time to look at the videos you had posted.

If I was confusing, it was of no intention, I felt that I clarified that hey, "I'm hearing the pin rattle when off the frame and when on the frame." I also took care to hold the slide still to isolate and check if the noise is indeed the firing pin when listening for a rattle.

The direction I was checking for a rattle is in a hand twisting motion, not in the direction you check for firing pin safety.

In the video that illustrates how the end of the trigger bar or "kick up" it illustrated how the "kick up" pulls the lug of the firing pin to the rear then releasing the firing pin to strike the primer.

It is my 95% belief after seeing this video that the "kick up" isn't putting any rear pressure on the firing lug until I begin to start pulling the trigger. From the checking that I have done before writing this post, I hear the rattle, and when barely, and I mean slightly touching the smaller part of the trigger the rattling noise stops which indicates that the "kick up" is now making contact with the lug.

If this is normal, which I now assumes it is for some Glocks (it is a man made piece of equipment)then I'm okay with that.

Personally it still annoys the perfectionist part of me but I can deal with it, being that I have now heard another G19 as I earlier posted rattle in the same fashion.

Sorry to write a book but I really am trying to be thorough.

af

[RandySmith]

Explaining complex ideas with only the written word is difficult at best, at least for me. I appreciate that you are taking the time to clarify things for me. Maybe we'll get to the bottom of this.

The trigger bar has to be compressing the firing pin spring when it is in the forward position. The mechanism simply isn't long enough to work any other way.

I am trying the wrist twisting motion you describe and I have to press the end of the slide pretty hard with my thumb to prevent it from making a noise. Once I do that, I hear a faint rattle that goes away when I lightly touch the trigger safety.

It is the trigger safety moving in a side to side direction (with a pivot in the middle) and contacting the inside section of the trigger that is making the rattle you are hearing.

The firing pin is making no noise that I can detect.

Randy

[acf]

Randy,

After reading your post and being really careful on what I'm listening too I realized that you are SO RIGHT!!!! Thanks a MILLION, MILLION!!! It was messing with my mind to hear the rattle of the firing pin and hearing what I thought was the same thing when on the frame.

Thanks, Thanks, Thanks,

After going thru this thread and everything else I almost feel like I could be a Glock Armorer, well maybe not.

Thanks again.:thumbsup: :banana: :wavey:

[RandySmith]

Glad I could be of help sir!

Randy

[Kal El in SLO]

after really thinking about what you guys were saying...i must say that i am wrong. i finally pulled one of my GLOCKs out to test (which i should have done from the beginning) and it's pretty obvious.

back to armorer's school for me. :)

After is all is said and done......i swear that i can still hear my glock instructor telling the class, " oh that's normal, just the firing pin contacting the fps." something i never REALLY thought about till now and just took his word for it.

The nail in the coffin for me was what Bronson7 said...the firing pin is under tension. duh.

sorry to waste everyone's time.

[Bronson7]

Kal, you have to admit, it was a great discussion and had everyone thinking. You're a good guy.
Bronson7