Revolver misfires

[hessy]

My S&W 60 revolver misfires all the time with factory .38 special ammo. I sent it to S&W warranty and they replaced firing pin, a few screws and the revo misfires even worse. The hammer falls and leaves no dent on the cartridge. What should I do...
I have never disassembled a revolver. Is it difficult to do?

 

[Old Fuff]

First of all, is this one of the newer models that has the firing pin mounted in the frame, or an older one where the firing pin (called a "hammer nose") is attached to the hammer?

If the hammer is falling, but no dent is left in the primer, the most likely causes are likely related to an issue with the firing pin/hammer nose, or the hammer block that prevents a discharge if the revolver is dropped.

While it is not difficult to remove the side plate, doing it incorrectly can ruin it, and after you got it off you might not be able to diagnose the problem anyway.

What you can do is open the cylinder, hold the cylinder bolt thumbpiece in its most rearward position, and double-action the trigger and hold it fully to the rear. Then while holding it in place look and see if the firing pin is sticking out the breech face. If so, slowly let the trigger move forward and see if the firing pin retracts back into the frame. If all this works as it should the problem probably isn't the firing pin.

Last question for now: Has anyone done a trigger pull/action job on this revolver?

 

[hessy]

Thanks for the reply. Nobody did any action work to the revolver-I got it new 2 years ago, fired occasionally, and sent it back to S&W. They replaced the firing pin, some other pins and all screws in the revo. It is a newer gun, made in 2009. I always had misfire problem with it.

 

[Sunray]

I'd be inclined to replace the springs. Especially the main/hammer spring. Wolff sells 9 lb springs for $4.29 each or a pack of 8, 8.5 and 9 lb springs for $9. You might as well change the rebound spring while you're at it. An assortment pak of 5 runs $9.
http://www.gunsprings.com/home
"...Is it difficult to do?..." Not really, but Smith's require one special tool to remove the rebound spring assembly. You can buy one from Brownell's($20, I think) or if you have lathe skills or know somebody who does, it's not difficult to make. It's just a correctly bent 3/32", as I recall, rod with a wee slot on the end. Keeps the springs out of the Twilight Zone.
"...not difficult to remove the side plate..." Nope. Take out the screws and whack the other side with the side plate down using a plastic mallet. Side plate pops out.

 

[gamestalker]

I have a 66-5 that had the same issue. I replaced the F.P. with an extended one and replaced the main spring wtih a heavier one and it still wasn't reliable. I finally had to have the hammer lapped to increase travel where it contacts the frame and stops. No more mis-fires and the problem was identified as a miscalculation during manufacturing. Mine wasn't the only one I've ever heard of with this probelm and most are more prominent with DA. Is your's doing it more with DA than SA?

 

[Jesse Heywood]

I would start by calling S&W to review what was done. Did the test the spring strength? test fire the gun? Are you holding your mouth right when shooting?

 

[Jim K]

How about the ammo? How old is it and could it have been stored improperly? What are the markings on the box and/or on the base of the cartridge?

I can't believe S&W worked on that gun and didn't test fire it, so it presumably worked for them.

Jim

 

[hessy]

Thanks for the replies gentlemen. S&W did not fire the gun and did not check/change the springs. I have only fired .38special, brand-new factory ammo, about 30% DA and the rest SA. Firing mode does not change the problem with misfire. When I sent the revo to S&W, I described the misfire problem, and they changed the pin. I also complained about the screws, which were very loose. Timing was questionable with such loose screws. They replaced firing pins, cut forcing cone, replaced plate screws and replaced cylinder stop (still very wobbly).

I think trying to repair it myself is out of the question now. S&W should repair it. I will send it in again.

 

[Nomad]

Call S&W and send it back again. They will pay shipping both ways. It's a pain but they need to fix it. They should fire it before sending it back too.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

I'm having a problem as to how S&W would repair a gun with firing issues and not test or replace the springs and test-fire before returning the gun. They should definitely get the gun back. Someone flat didn't do their job! Tell them this time you will expect a test target with the gun.

Hopefully you have gained enough knowledge here to be able to let them know you won't put up with this bs.

 

[Jim K]

Just from curiosity, how do you know S&W did not test fire the gun? Did they actually say that? If so, that is incredible.

Jim