1937 Smith & Wesson mauls primers.

[Owen Sparks]

I bought a 1937 Smith & Wesson Brazillian contract revolver a while back. It is in sound condition and it is acceptably accurate only it really puts a deep dent in the primers. So much so that it has caused several punctures in low pressure target loads and I am afraid that it will harm the primer pockets of my brass. The firing pin dents are perfectly centered but just really deep. I used original 1917 half moon clips as well as newer full moon clips with the same results. Should I file a few thousandths of an inch off the firing pin and see if that helps?

BTW CCI primers really are harder. They did not dent nearly as deep as the other brands.

 

[MMCSRET]

Possibly your firing pin was replaced and not fitted properly, meaning shortened to proper protrusion length. I purchased a Colt Army Special some years back that pierced the primers when fired, got to looking and it had been replaced and the job had not been finished. Maybe yours just needs to be dressed.