MIL-P-23460 covers positive-locking, self-retaining pins that use spring-loaded balls to hold the shank in double shear.
It divides the family into two functional types:
| Type | Actuation | Typical handle drawings |
|---|---|---|
| I – single-acting | Push the button to release balls (spring returns automatically) | MS 17984 (button), 17985 (T-handle), 17986 (L-handle), 17987 (ring) |
| II – double-acting | Pull or push the button to release balls (bi-directional) | MS 17988 (T), 17989 (L), 17990 (ring) |
Handle style is not controlled by the spec itself – it lives in the MS drawing – but MIL-P-23460 defines the common materials, heat-treat and ball-detent mechanism for both types.
What this means for today’s paperwork
| Certificate on hand | Is it still acceptable? | What to cite going forward |
|---|---|---|
| “MIL-P-23460E, QPL-23460-xx, MS 17985G” | Yes. Grandfathered hardware; the spec’s mechanical rules never changed. | Use NASM 23460 plus the NASM or NAS drawing number (e.g., NASM 17985). |
| “NAS 1334A3-C-08-D, tested per NAS 1332” | Acceptable for civil/MRO use, but not a QPL substitute on defence contracts. | Reference NAS 1332 + NAS drawing. |
In conclusion:
MIL-P-23460 (E) is the root performance document for every aerospace ball-lock pin you’ll encounter. The spec is officially cancelled, but its content lives on unchanged inside:
-
NASM 23460 (procurement spec)
-
NASM 17984 → 17990 (single & double acting drawings)
-
NAS 1333 → 1346 (civil-aviation equivalents)
If your contract still quotes MIL-P-23460, you can safely dual-certify the parts to NASM 23460 – just be sure the supplier was formerly QPL-listed or can reproduce the original Table II shear tests.