Lately I have been going out to start up my X and the key wont want to turn. One time I hit it with the side of my fist in hopes to "reset" or jiggle the pins or whatever is in there to get it to turn. This morning I was in a hurry and knocked the sh** out of it, and eventually took a pair of plyers and cranked it to turn (I was careful). Yes I know I probably just contributed to the problem, but I was in a hurry like I said. Does anyone know anything about or have had this problem? I'm assuming its ultimately going to come down to me having to get a new ignition from nissan.

Did you jiggle your steering wheel? THat usually helps. I have had this problem, but a little patience and it is no longer a problem.

No, but next time it happens I will. thankx

Sounds like your pins are dropping.
If it was a door lock I would rekey it.
Try this:
Go get you some graphite and shot some into the lock.
Also try putting some on the key cuts and work it in and out.
DO NOT use any type of grease, oil or WD40.

I was recently down this road and it wasn't what I thought (pins).

Have you recently engaged 4HI, and especially 4LO? Sometimes going back to 2WD leaves something unengaged and the ignition lock doesn't want to play anymore.

Immediate solution: smack the stick shift forward while in park.

Fix: once you get going, cycle to 4HI, 4LO and back to 2WD, making sure you're firm with the 4WD stick and 2WD stick shift.

Worked for me, no more sticky ignition.

That doesn't entirely make sense to me... but I think your right. Since its that time of year again I've been using the 4x4 on and off. So what your saying is that I need to put it into 2wd before I turn it off in order to not have the key problem?

The Xfer case lever shouldn't make a difference, you might have a sticky "park" interlock.

X2 on what Kiwi said. In my case, going into 4LO seemed to cause the problem with the park, and cycling back and forth seemed to fix it.

Go spend a $1.50 on some graphite.
Then if that does not work, then you know something more is up.
Also warning: Driving with a bunch of keys adding weight to your key ring is very bad for the switch and can cause it to go out.
Older guy tip.