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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 13,234
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 13,234 |
Well, that explains ... something.
Anyway, the story told to me by the gunsmith who did my action job was that the factory installed frame-mounted firing pin was generally fine out of the box and especially when using factory ammo.
But he was installing a lighter (by a little) hammer spring and he knew I was a handloader who favored Federal primers. His belief was that Federals were a little harder than primers used in most factory ammo.
Was he right? Dunno for sure. I didn't do the testing.
Anyway, with the lightened hammer spring and the new firing pin sticking out of the frame just a little bit more than the original - but not far enough to pierce the primers - it goes bang every time.
I trusted him, rest his soul. He's gone now.
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,890
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,890 |
Well, that explains ... something.
Anyway, the story told to me by the gunsmith who did my action job was that the factory installed frame-mounted firing pin was generally fine out of the box and especially when using factory ammo.
But he was installing a lighter (by a little) hammer spring and he knew I was a handloader who favored Federal primers. His belief was that Federals were a little harder than primers used in most factory ammo.
Was he right? Dunno for sure. I didn't do the testing.
Anyway, with the lightened hammer spring and the new firing pin sticking out of the frame just a little bit more than the original - but not far enough to pierce the primers - it goes bang every time.
I trusted him, rest his soul. He's gone now.
Actually, Federal primers are a little more sensitive than others.
"...why, land is the only thing in the world worth working for, worth fighting for, worth dying for,... because it is the only thing that lasts."
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 18,300
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 18,300 |
10 years ago I could never have said "Taurus can't be any worse". I imagine SW profit margin and volume in the semiauto pistols is so great the revolvers have become a red haired step child, we may see them phased out entirely in the future.
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 131,556
Campfire Sage
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Campfire Sage
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 131,556 |
10 years ago I could never have said "Taurus can't be any worse". I imagine SW profit margin and volume in the semiauto pistols is so great the revolvers have become a red haired step child, we may see them phased out entirely in the future. Their 442, and the stainless version of it, sell like hotcakes. I doubt they will ever drop those.
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,081
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,081 |
10 years ago I could never have said "Taurus can't be any worse". I imagine SW profit margin and volume in the semiauto pistols is so great the revolvers have become a red haired step child, we may see them phased out entirely in the future. Their 442, and the stainless version of it, sell like hotcakes. I doubt they will ever drop those. Pretty much this. The last Smith I bought not made before the end of Reagans first term would be a 642. It runs well, shoots to the sights, and is fairly well finished.
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 131,556
Campfire Sage
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Campfire Sage
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 131,556 |
They pretty well fill a particular concealed carry niche.
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 18,300
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 18,300 |
taurus makes a lw 5 shot revolver as well, given the price of about $300-400 for most tauri, the decidedly difficult task of hair splitting accuracy with any 2 inch barreled, 10 pound trigger pull revolver, the $5-600 general price category of the smith, their current poor quality then it becomes more difficult to choose between the two.
I just want to add, the accuracy comment was for normal people, most people on the campfire can shoot thrown aspirins out of the air with a DAO 38 special.
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,808
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,808 |
We own mostly older S&W pre lock pre MIM revolvers. I have a newer 442 (no lock) that is fitted up nicely, no issues.
The problem I encounter with the older ones is parts (scarce to non existent). Hands are getting really hard to find, hammer noses and rivets more so.
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,192
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,192 |
Does anyone know if they have one anymore? I don't think they test fire their guns at the factory. They used to because with a new revolver you would get a spent cartridge you could register with your county sheriff if you live in California, but apparently that's gone by the wayside.
I've had some issues with the newer S&W revolvers in the past few years, but this last one takes the cake. I bought a new 5" model 629 around the first of May. The cylinder jammed on about the third round, and every few rounds after that. Before taking it to a gunsmith I tried a factory round because I knew he would ask about that. The very first one jammed.
He said that the firing pin bushing was just slightly recessed and I could see that the rounds I fired had the primers protruding just enough to lock up the cylinder. Sometimes it was hard to even force the cylinder open. If they had test fired just a round or two at the factory they would have discovered this flaw.
I was lucky that the store I bought it from agreed to ship it back to S&W since I took it back to them the day after buying it. And it came back to me repaired this past week. I guess I should feel lucky, but really disappointed with Smith and Wesson. Their revolvers have been my favorite class of gun, but I doubt I'll ever buy another new one.
Anyone else have an experience like this? I have shot Alfa-Proj 9x19 extensively. The only minus was that after 300 rounds the gun had to be cleaned (especially cylinder chambers) because it was difficult to insert cartridges or extract cases. Other then that no problemos. If one wants steel revolver this Czech brand is worth a look.
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,408
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,408 |
i bought two of the 642's for my wife and daughter. the one labeled "ladysmith" worked fine out of the box. the other one would lock up if you squeezed the trigger slow (like a girl). i dry fired it a couple thousand times and it cleared up. my 29-8 mountain gun is a really nice gun in form and function. sad to hear about the issues people had with the 69's. if i buy another centerfire revolver, that was going to be the one.
My diploma is a DD214
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