.45 ACP 1911s (production, semi-custom or custom) that use a 9mm size firing pin?

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MCMXI

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From Ed Brown's FAQ:

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Why do you use a 9mm size firing pin in your handguns?

This prevents primer flow if hot loads are used and prevents a 45 ACP rim form hanging in the firing pin hole during the feeding cycle.
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I hadn't even realized that my SFC had this "upgrade" until this past weekend when I removed the firing pin, spring and extractor for cleaning. A quick look on Wilson Combat, Les Baer and Nighthawk Custom's websites didn't turn up any information regarding the firing pin size that they prefer. Now I'm curious if this is unique to Ed Brown or a common feature of semi-custom 1911s chambered for .45 ACP.

Kimber slide on the left, Ed Brown slide on the right.

kimber_brown_slides.jpg



Ed Brown .45 ACP firing pin on the left, Ed Brown 9mm firing pin on the right.

kimber_brown_fp.jpg
 
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There's a difference?

I mean I can see it in your pictures, but I never knew there was a difference between firing pin sizes in service autos.

Weird.
 
When shopping for .45acp brass a few months ago, I ran across a few places selling .45acp with small-pistol primer pockets. I thought this was interesting as I could see some advantage in using only one type of primer for all my reloading needs. However, I already had plenty of WLP and decided against it.

I didn't know there were actually 1911s with smaller firing pins though. I don't really do hot loads, especially in .45acp, so I wouldn't personally benefit from this.
 
Springfield Armory doesn't use a "9mm" firing pin, per se, though their titanium .45acp FPs are definitely close to 9mm specs (~.072"). Their 9mm FPs are close to regular 9mm FPs (~.068").
 
Springfield uses a full-size (0.090" dia.) titanium firing pin in their Custom Shop Pro model by direction of their primary customer for this pistol, the FBI. Would like to think that the FBI has a lot of technical savvy, and wouldn't give that direction without good reason.
 
skipsan said:
Springfield uses a full-size (0.090" dia.) titanium firing pin in their Custom Shop Pro model by direction of their primary customer for this pistol, the FBI. Would like to think that the FBI has a lot of technical savvy, and wouldn't give that direction without good reason.

I thought that the FBI were into Glocks and S&Ws chambered for the .40 S&W rather than 1911s chambered for .45 ACP.
 
The SA Pro 1911 .45acp, in plain and railed form, is standard issue for the FBI SWAT teams. I understand that the Pro has also been adopted by other GVMT agencies like the DEA.

I don't know what the standard carry is for non-swat FBI activities , but would assume it's a Glock or something similar.
 
I bought a Dan Wesson Valor a few weeks ago and picked it up from the gun shop yesterday. I discovered that the Valor has a 9mm firing pin which makes me even more convinced that Ed Brown makes the frames and slides for CZ/Dan Wesson.

dw_valor_11.jpg
 
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