Finding a firing pin for an old Stevens single shot rifle was unsuccessful. Making one turned out to be a viable alternative.

by Norman E. Johnson

Tasked with repairing an old Stevens single shot, I could not locate a needed firing pin replacement and decided to make one. The diameter of the main firing pin body is 0.227 inches, so I elected to use a section of 15/64 (0.234) inch drill bit shank for the part. The drill bit shank was of ideal hardness without being brittle and was easily machined with carbon steel tool bits. The drill bit was chucked in the lathe as the shank and firing pin end were turned to specification before removing.

Read more in our August 2013 issue. Back issues are available.

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