A question for the S&W revolver braintrust: Is the problem gun or ammo?

[PaulD]

I took my 627 Pro to the range today and it had a problem it's never had before. About 1 or 2 rounds out of every 8 wouldn't fire. Sometimes, the dud round would go if I ran it through a second time. A few wouldn't fire at all.

The ammo was all .357. Some were Blazer aluminum and some were some old Federal (probably 20 years old) that was given to me.

I also noticed that the primers on the duds looked like the strike was pretty light compared to the rounds that worked right off. That makes me think it's the gun. It's had about 300 rounds through it and it's never had this problem until now.

Am I going to be sending this back to S&W?

 

[Greg Derr]

Is the "strain" screw tight? That's the screw on the fram that puts tension on the mainspring. If it is loose or you have had a "too light" trigger job may be the cause. Also a hard primer may be the issue. What primers?

 

[PaulD]

Is the "strain" screw tight? That's the screw on the fram that puts tension on the mainspring. If it is loose or you have had a "too light" trigger job may be the cause. Also a hard primer may be the issue. What primers?

Thanks Greg. I'll check that.

I did take the grips off between today and the previous time it was shot. Maybe I messed something up.

 

[Jose]

S&W had to shorten the frame mounted firing pin to pass California drop tests. Some revolvers are affected by it, and some are not. I have two S&Ws with frame mounted firing pins. One has worked reliably 100% in this regard, the other one did not.

Buy a new, longer firing pin from Apex Tactical and swap the stock one out. It's a five minute job without needing tools, once you remove the sideplate.

I swapped the stock pin for an Apex in my Model 65 and the problem went away immediately.

 

[PaulD]

S&W had to shorten the frame mounted firing pin to pass California drop tests. Some revolvers are affected by it, and some are not. I have two S&Ws with frame mounted firing pins. One has worked reliably 100% in this regard, the other one did not.

Buy a new, longer firing pin from Apex Tactical and swap the stock one out. It's a five minute job without needing tools, once you remove the sideplate.

I swapped the stock pin for an Apex in my Model 65 and the problem went away immediately.

Thanks Jose. I like that solution. As Greg suggested, I tightened up the strain screw a bit though I think I'll get that firing pin as well.

Do all modern S&W revolvers use the same firing pin regardless of frame size?

The 627 has become one of my favorites and it bummed me out when it started having problems.

 

[Jose]

Do all modern S&W revolvers use the same firing pin regardless of frame size?

If it is a frame mounted pin on a centerfire revolver, yes.

Don't worry about it. Get the Apex kit and install it. That will end your problem.