Concerns?

[1976B.L.Johns.]

As of today, I have only put 36 rounds through this new 5 inch S & W 460.

Notice the strike marks on the primers? Not on center...

There is a bit of rotational play when the cylinder is locked into the frame.

What do you all think?
Should I send it back to Springfield, Mass., Smith and Wesson?

On a side note, I could not hit my target at 15 yards this morning.
Al shots were low.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Is it always the same two cylinders?

Hows the forcing cone? Does it evidence throwing any lead?

 

[cfullgraf]

I have a 460 XVR and I cannot say if the primer hits are centered or not. Mine always goes bang and hits the target about where I aimed it. Frankly, I don’t worry much about off center primme hit if the gun fires when the trigger is pulled.

I have a 38 Super 1911 that the primer strikes are off center and it shoots insanely small groups

Shoot the gun some more to see if you can identify a real problem. If so, then send it to S&W. Otherwise, enjoy the gun.

I have a mid level load with Unique and 255 SWC bullets that make the 460 fun to shoot without the cost.

 

[dfish1247]

Mine does the same thing, no evidence of malfunction at all.

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

Is it always the same two cylinders?

Hows the forcing cone? Does it evidence throwing any lead?

Can not say about the same holes in the cylinder as this was my last set for the day.

No evidence of of the forcing cone throwing lead. or copper.


The next time out I will bring my 8.375 inch 460 with and compare.

Shoot the gun some more to see if you can identify a real problem.

That I will do.

 

[PistoleroWadcutterGANG]

Honestly, you need to shoot more rounds. You've barley even started the break-in round count. Make no judgments till you have around 300+ and the low hits remain constant. On the primer strike position. I have many really great shooting revolvers and semi auto's that behave like that. I wouldn't get hung up on it unless you're getting pierced primers or primers start getting very flat on factory ammo.

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

Honestly, you need to shoot more rounds.

Probably, huh?

If things work out, I'll be putting more downrange soon.

Thanks for the replies, everyone!

 

[J-Bar]

Call S&W. Get your concerns documented. Off-center firing pin strikes deserve attention.

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

Off-center firing pin strikes deserve attention.

That was my initial thought.
A brand new revolver should not have this problem.

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

On a side note, I could not hit my target at 15 yards this morning.
Al shots were low.

Figured that problem out.
New glasses (been six + years) plus I never adjusted the rear sight.
DUH!

 

[JTHunter]

There is a bit of rotational play when the cylinder is locked into the frame.

Are you saying that when the revolver is cocked that there is still some movement of the cylinder? Does it it move for every chamber or just one or two? If so, that would explain your off-center primer strikes.
If your cylinder is not properly aligned, as the bullets pass into the forcing cone, they may be getting slightly deformed as well as slowed down. Damaged bullets may also not engage the rifling in the barrel properly. Damaged bullets won't fly straight and, if they are slowed as well, that may be why they drop.
Good luck on getting this resolved.

 

[StrawHat]

This is a S&W revolver? If so, some rotational play is built in to the revolver when cocked. It allows the bullet to align itself with the bore, so to speak. Unlike the Colt revolver that locks up solid and has no give when the bullet leaves the cartridge case, or at least the old ones were designed that way.

Kevin

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

when the revolver is cocked that there is still some movement of the cylinder?

Yup.
Time to call the mothership..........

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

This is a S&W revolver?

Yes.

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

Now you all got me thinking, as I am not that bright.

I will give S&W a call to see what they say.
Maybe email them with pictures, and that would be better for me as I can not hear that well..........

This all started because I was looking for pressure signs.

Thanks again for the replies!

Hey!, Use care out there!

 

[whatnickname]

May not be exactly perfect, but if your revolver fires when the trigger is pulled I would not worry about it. Like some others have said, fire more rounds. If you don’t have any misfires after several hundred rounds, I wouldn’t lose any sleep over it.

 

[DustyRusty]

Nice photo, Johns.

MHO expecting your S&W to be near perfect for the price is not unreasonable.

My new 686 went back.
I called S&W and received a case number. Then sent them pictures and my concerns. They sent me a label for return.
Off she went and after several weeks she came back the way she should have been. No dimples and polished properly.
Only cost me some time. I am happy I did this. No regrets. S&W needs to earn that reputation if they mean to keep it.
All these marks and more, are gone now.

 

[CraigC]

No big deal, fairly common.

 

[JohnKSa]

Off-center firing pin strikes deserve attention.

They deserve about this much attention--or maybe less: "Hmmm... Some of these primer strikes are not quite centered. Oh well, it's not spitting and it's shooting accurately."

A brand new revolver should not have this problem.

It's not a problem unless you are seeing some other symptom that is causing concern.

 

[ontarget]

You know, I have ALOT of revolvers, and I couldn't tell you if a single one has off center firing pin strikes.
Never payed attention. They don't spit lead and for the most part hit where I'm aiming. The only time I pay attention to primers is when I'm working up a new load and watching for pressure signs.
It's your gun though, and wasn't cheap, so if it's keeping you awake at night, have it looked at by the factory. Can't hurt and might ease your mind.

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

The only time I pay attention to primers is when I'm working up a new load and watching for pressure signs.

That's what started this investigation.
My curiosity got the best of me, but maybe for the better.

 

[jdc1244]

View attachment 1174564

As of today, I have only put 36 rounds through this new 5 inch S & W 460.

Notice the strike marks on the primers? Not on center...

There is a bit of rotational play when the cylinder is locked into the frame.

What do you all think?
Should I send it back to Springfield, Mass., Smith and Wesson?

On a side note, I could not hit my target at 15 yards this morning.
Al shots were low.

Your primer strikes look the same as on my 610, with a few not perfectly centered – I notice when removing spent shells from the moon clips. It functions fine and is accurate and reliable.