Where to buy an 1891 firing pin

[ItsaDrenalin]

The only place I've been able to find a center-fire firing pin in stock for a model 1891 .32, is from the website
www.gun-parts.com

Has anyone ever purchased through them? They appear a bit fishy.

[marlinman93]

I would call Wisners Gun Parts. They show out of stock, but if you call they may run one for you. They're a small family owned business and work with people. Good people to deal with for decades.

[ItsaDrenalin]

Thank you marlinman93, I'll try to give them a call soon.

[ItsaDrenalin]

I was able to contact Wisner's, but they said they didn't know when they would be able to manufacture anymore .32 1891 centerfire firing pins.
They went on to say they are down to one machinist and sales declined 52% between 2014 and 2021. Coming into 2024, sales had still declined, they wrote 1372 invoices in 2021, and 1180 invoices in 2022, then only 1008 invoices in 2023.
I will continue to check their website, as they suggested I check back from time to time in case they have manufactured more.

[marlinman93]

Sounds like they need to keep more parts in stock. If your sales are low and you don't make parts to sell that usually explains low sales.
I have made a few before Wisners started making them. I gave Wisners some samples of various Marlin firing pins many decades ago when the father owned it so he could copy them. I buy tool steel in the close thickness and then work it down slightly to exact thickness on my belt sander. The spray it with dye chem blue and use a dental pick to trace an existing pin. I hand draw the tips in the location I want for CF or RF and then cut them out roughly. Once cut out I just use files to do the final work to exact copies and then heat the tips and quench them.
You can buy tool steel plate or flat bar at any good metal supply place, or find it online in a search. Most sell it in small quantities.

[ItsaDrenalin]

Thank you marlinman93. That's some good info, if I can't find one elsewhere.

[Road King]

Sounds like they need to keep more parts in stock. If your sales are low and you don't make parts to sell that usually explains low sales.
I have made a few before Wisners started making them. I gave Wisners some samples of various Marlin firing pins many decades ago when the father owned it so he could copy them. I buy tool steel in the close thickness and then work it down slightly to exact thickness on my belt sander. The spray it with dye chem blue and use a dental pick to trace an existing pin. I hand draw the tips in the location I want for CF or RF and then cut them out roughly. Once cut out I just use files to do the final work to exact copies and then heat the tips and quench them.
You can buy tool steel plate or flat bar at any good metal supply place, or find it online in a search. Most sell it in small quantities.

I got the same response from them when I contacted them about a lever latch spring for a Model 1881. You would think that when you specialize in obsolete parts you would be restocking when inventory gets low. We all understand that labour and material costs have risen, but for us gun nuts that when you need a part for old vintage firearm you have to step up. Not collectors can make parts and if you can you soon realize why the costs are what they are. By the way I ended up making my own lever latch spring. Only took me about 2 days of cutting , filing, fitting and heat treating haha.

[marlinman93]

Some years back a friend broke his lever latch spring on his 1881 and told me he used a cartridge guide spring off a Model 39A to make one and he said it works great. Might try that next time?