RIA inertia fire

[gasol1ne]

I have a RIA 1911 tactical. Do you guys think it is necessary to change the firing pin and firing pin spring to a titanium firing pin/heavy spring combo? I normally prefer to have my weapons condition 1, and I am worried about a discharge if for some reason the firearm gets dropped.

The RIA passes the California drop test, but im not really sure if this is a real test, or just a rubber stamp scheme that the california government uses to make money.

[OneSevenDeuce]

Is it necessary? Of course not. Thousands of people use their RIA tacticals with no problems and all stock parts. Some guns will indeed fire when dropped, however the California drop test is a solution to a problem that essentially doesn't exist with most guns. Want to know what I'm talking about? Make sure your weapon is clear, load a snap cap, and drop it. Drop it again and again and count how many times that hammer falls. I'm willing to bet that your final number will be 0.

[Matt P]

I for one do not see that standard as being another way for DOJ to make money.
DOJ is the agency that insures certain passed laws go into effect. Its our wonderful state government that in a effort to safe guard all of us, passes what they feel is reasonable gun control.
I understand outside labs actually do the testing, and not Cal DOJ. They are the ones that charge for the testing to the manufacture, and not DOJ. They are certified by DOJ to maintain certain standards.

The above is my questionable grip on the facts.. I am sure there are those here with greater knowledge then I.

[Mute]

Much ado about nothing. Don't worry about it.

[Cokebottle]

Is it necessary? Of course not. Thousands of people use their RIA tacticals with no problems and all stock parts. Some guns will indeed fire when dropped, however the California drop test is a solution to a problem that essentially doesn't exist with most guns. Want to know what I'm talking about? Make sure your weapon is clear, load a snap cap, and drop it. Drop it again and again and count how many times that hammer falls. I'm willing to bet that your final number will be 0.

It's not a matter of the hammer falling, it's a matter of the inertia of the drop causing the firing pin to slide forward and impact the primer.... the hammer will remain locked back when this happens, and it CAN happen even when the gun is on safe.

Load a snap-cap, pull the hammer back, and put it on safe.
Take a ballpoint pen and push on the back of the firing pin. You will be able to push that pin all the way in to the point that it will "mush" into the rubber on the snap cap.

When dropped on the muzzle (or when the muzzle is impacted), it is possible for the pin to do this through it's own mass.

I don't believe it is a problem on modern 1911 pistols.

[civilsnake]

I believe that modern construction 1911s based on the series 70 design typically have a lighter pin for exactly that reason. You should be good to go already.

[supertrooper]

i run a extra power fireing pin spring and stock fireing pin. i dont think its nessesary but it couldnt hurt plus it came with the wolff 18.5 recoil spring. not droping the gun is a better solution.

[Josh]

this design has seen how many jumps, drops, tumbles and falls in countless major conflicts across the globe and you think dropping it on its muzzle will set it off?

They changed the firing pin design due to our sue happy society.

also a standard 1911 firing pin is not long enough to contact the primer if pushed. It must be struck and carried forward by the impact of the hammer.

[gasol1ne]

Thanks for the responses. I will use the firing pin and spring that came with the gun until they wear out and then switch to a higher power spring. It seems its not an issue to not have a those mods, so i wont worry about it until i wear out the spring i have now.