Firing pin spring problem with my LEM USP40 Compact?

[Tom01]

Hi all,

I bought my first USP40 Compact LEM recently and noticed something odd about the firing pin spring while cleaning it today. When I depress the firing pin block, then push the firing pin forward to protrude from the breech face, the firing remains in the protruded position after I release the firing pin block.

I can push on the nipple of the exposed firing pin and it will reset the firing pin block and it does move back and forth freely when the firing pin block is depressed. I'm an avid SIG collector/shooter and have not noticed this with the SIG line. Is this normal for the USP? My USP was a law enforcement trade-in (used but in excellent condition inside and out).

Thanks for any help!

-Chris

[AWD]

Clean out your firing pin channel, I am not a gunsmith but that does not sound normal.

AWD

[SIGtrarian]

I just tried it with mine. I can feel the firing pin drag on the block, but it retracts completely. How many rounds has your USP fired?

[Tom01]

I just tried it with mine. I can feel the firing pin drag on the block, but it retracts completely. How many rounds has your USP fired?

I bought the gun used. I don't know how many rounds have been through it. I'll test fire it on Tuesday.

[SIGtrarian]

I bought the gun used. I don't know how many rounds have been through it. I'll test fire it on Tuesday.BTW, I clean out the firing pin channel by hosing it out with aerosol Break Free (using the little straw), let soak a few minutes, repeat, then blow out thoroughly with air in a can.

[robert14]

NOT an issue,
The firing pin safety should drag on the firing pin if it's not depressed. Otherwise would indicate a stuck / dragging firing pin safety - a definite hazzard if the pistol was to be dropped. The firing pin safety is held up in the up / off position while firing. Try this, dry fire the pistol, (while EMPTY with no mag in place) rack the slide once to simulate a complete cycle while firing, then lock the slide back & then observe as to if the firing pin is in the forward position or not. If it moves back & forth freely when the firing pin safety is depressed, then it it not a dirty firing pin channel.

[Maurice]

the only major failure with my USP Custom sport was a very dirty firing pin channel,.....it stayed protruding out of the breach face,...would not retract. Clean, replace the spring if you have a spare.

[AWD]

NOT an issue,
The firing pin safety should drag on the firing pin if it's not depressed. Otherwise would indicate a stuck / dragging firing pin safety - a definite hazzard if the pistol was to be dropped. The firing pin safety is held up in the up / off position while firing. Try this, dry fire the pistol, (while EMPTY with no mag in place) rack the slide once to simulate a complete cycle while firing, then lock the slide back & then observe as to if the firing pin is in the forward position or not. If it moves back & forth freely when the firing pin safety is depressed, then it it not a dirty firing pin channel.

OP clearly states the firing pin is not springing back, with the firing pin block held down...

Even if you hold the firing pin block, push in the firing pin, and then release the firing pin block... the firing pin should spring back, though with more resistance.

AWD

[Kochaholic]

Even if you hold the firing pin block, push in the firing pin, and then release the firing pin block... the firing pin should spring back, though with more resistance.

AWD

Not exactly. It is possible to put them in a bind when doing this manually. Some will some won't. Nothing wrong with this. NIB guns do this to.

[AWD]

DUH I absolutely read his post wrong... Just noticed he said it springs back fine IF the FPB was depressed (second paragraph.)

Both my USPc and HK45c Firing pin spring back, no matter if I release the FPB first or not. But yeah, all that matters is it springs back in normal FPB configuration (depressed.)

[Big Ben]

Sorry about the thread jack but I'm new to handguns; I completely field strip and clean my guns after each range session but haven't removed or cleaned the firing pin/spring or channel. Note; all three of my new guns are in the breakin stage; how often should this cleaning step be done? Thanks....

[Big Ben]

Sorry about the thread jack but I'm new to handguns; I completely field strip and clean my guns after each range session but haven't removed or cleaned the firing pin/spring or channel. Note; all three of my new guns are in the breakin stage; how often should this cleaning step be done? Thanks....Anyone? help is appreciated...BB

[Kochaholic]

Clean it after the first 1000 rounds and then adjust the interval based on what you see.

[Big Ben]

Thanks kochaholic; are there any signs that might indicate that's its time to clean this and/or the extractor as well? appreciate the support; just want to take perfect care of my babies!

[Maurice]

Sorry about the thread jack but I'm new to handguns; I completely field strip and clean my guns after each range session but haven't removed or cleaned the firing pin/spring or channel. Note; all three of my new guns are in the breakin stage; how often should this cleaning step be done? Thanks....

I think if I remember correctly,..I was up over 5000rds,..possibly 6000rds without once cleaning the firing pin channel when I had this malfunction. The spring is very light and should be replaced periodically. This problem may or may not have happened if I dryfired less,....as the spring takes a beating from dryfiring as well, (6000+ dryfiring) I dryfired sometimes with out adummy round,..not using one allows the firing pin to come out slightly farther,..further decreasing the life of this firing pin spring.
So,..if you clean it every 4000rds,..replace the spring at the same time, they are cheap springs and gives you peace of mind.

[Kochaholic]

Maurice makes a good point. Individual use will vary, someone dryfiring a lot will take its effect on the spring more then those who don't. Even so, if anything this spring has a reserve of power not usually needed and should hold up well. Someone using light target loads with clean burning powder compared to someone with full powered loads using a dirty burning powder may vary as will leaking primer pockets, but this area does not get hit with a lot of debris. The 5 or 6 K is probably more realistic. Once you do it you will see it stays pretty clean in the channel.