Should a .44 revolver sound like this?

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csirre

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Feb 27, 2022
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Hello,
I just got my .44 S&W Model 629 PC yesterday. Everything looks normal except the sound it made when I dry fired it. None of my other revolvers sound like this, they just make 'click' sound. The new 629 makes 'chinkkkk' sound (like a small bell). I generally inspected the gun and everything seems fine, the hammer block works and the trigger and everything are smooth. I lubed it and dry fired it 50 more times and the sound was still the same. What is wrong or is this normal? Thank you.

I uploaded the video of the sound here:


Best,
csirre
 
I hear it. Interesting. I spose it’s “normal” but it’s defiantly not the norm. Try a few empties in the cylinder and see if it does it. Personally I’d research it further as it’s unusual.
 
Welcome to THR csirre! :)
My ears aren't all that great (probably because of too many handgun rounds fired without proper hearing protection) but I don't think there's anything wrong with your revolver. How does it shoot? :)

Thank you for the reply. The thing is, I will not be able to go to the range until next month. But I believe it will shoot fine as the mechanics seem to work properly.
 
I've noticed some revolvers have more of a harmonic ring to them. It can even change with different mainspring weights.

As long as it doesn't sound like that when it's stoked with live ammunition ;), I don't think it's a problem.

To me, the sound comes from hammer mechanisms and I believe it will be so even with live ammo, but I will not be able to hear it because of the boom LOL.
 
I hear it. Interesting. I spose it’s “normal” but it’s defiantly not the norm. Try a few empties in the cylinder and see if it does it. Personally I’d research it further as it’s unusual.

Before posting this thread, I searched many forums and videos for reference, none is with my issue. I will definitely further research this. Thanks.
 
It could be they type of metals used to make it a lighter handgun. Is this one of those guns made to be lighter? I've never heard that when dry firing, but my gut tells me it is fine. Try it with empty shells and fired primers and see if it makes that sound. Regardless, you won't hear that sound when you shoot it.
 
It could be they type of metals used to make it a lighter handgun. Is this one of those guns made to be lighter? I've never heard that when dry firing, but my gut tells me it is fine. Try it with empty shells and fired primers and see if it makes that sound. Regardless, you won't hear that sound when you shoot it.

No, this is not a lighter-weight gun. The more interesting thing is, I also have a S&W Model 627PC, which is the same gun except the 627 shoots .357Mag, but the 627 makes normal 'click' sound. So it feels so weird to hear the 629's.
 
I would send the video then to the manufacturer and ask them? I can definitely hear the ping. I would still dry fire on empty cases just to make sure. Please keep us informed.
 
I would send the video then to the manufacturer and ask them? I can definitely hear the ping. I would still dry fire on empty cases just to make sure. Please keep us informed.

Thank you. However.... I live in Thailand, the land where gun shops import guns themselves. So no Smith & Wesson Inc. here. The best I could do is go back to the shop, which I have not high hope they can help.
 
Then I would suggest that get a small brass hammer and gently tap all over gun to see if you can replicate that sound. If you find it inspect area to see if you visually see defects and bring them to the store owners attention.
 
Wh
I would send the video then to the manufacturer and ask them? I can definitely hear the ping. I would still dry fire on empty cases just to make sure. Please keep us informed.

Wow, I have to admit that the word 'PING' you use here never came across my mind before. I used it to google and got tons of results as many S&W owners experienced the same thing. They describe the sound as "tinny", "ping" or "ringing". And the culprit is the leaf spring which is too weak. Some fix it by inserting a foam piece between the backside of the spring and the frame, some just leave it be. Some describe the sound to be the evidence that the gun parts fit and aligned perfectly (I doubt this as my other guns don't have this sound.) I will check the spring and report back.
 
Definitely a different sound. Things may be just fine though. I rarely, dry fire any of my revolvers but the only stainless DA revolver I have owned was a J frame model 60 Pro and it had a slight ring to it when dry fired. The sound was similar to yours but much quicker and a different tone, probably because it was a smaller gun.
Drop some snap caps in it and try those or better yet, shoot it when you get a chance.
 
I'm just guessing here but when steel pings instead of rings, it's the hardness. Some part in the firing mechanism is harder than in the typical 629. It could be a heat-treat lot or it could be an slightly loose assembly but it sounds to me (deaf guy former machinist, here :thumbup:) like an internal part is fit looser than norm and that part is also harder than norm. Probably in the sliding hammer safety mechanism or the lock since those two systems will not be under tension during dry-fire.
The only downside to a harder steel is it will tend to be more brittle. Shoot it until it breaks, is my advice. Odds are it will outlast you by many lifetimes.
 
I suspect a little bit of oil on the hammer and frame mounted firing pin assembly will quiet the "ping" fairly well and shooting a few boxes of ammo through it to get it good and dirty will remove any remaining ping it still has that a proper lubrication did not damp.

Shoot it!
 
Thank you all for the replies, I really appreciate them all. I just removed the grips and found the leaf spring was tight and looked fine. I brought the gun close to my ear and dry fired, I found that the ringing sound definitely came from the spring. I lightly touched the spring with my finger and dry fired again, the sound was a normal click, no ringing. I shook the gun and nothing seemed loose. I will live with it and remember that my 629 is with 'character'.
 
Thank you all for the replies, I really appreciate them all. I just removed the grips and found the leaf spring was tight and looked fine. I brought the gun close to my ear and dry fired, I found that the ringing sound definitely came from the spring. I lightly touched the spring with my finger and dry fired again, the sound was a normal click, no ringing. I shook the gun and nothing seemed loose. I will live with it and remember that my 629 is with 'character'.
That makes it easier to identify if a thief tries to walk off with it. Your gun's name is "Ping" ... :)
 
I've noticed that Smith and Wesson revolvers that have the hammer mounted firing pin and no lock have a more solid sounding and feeling vibe to them compared to the frame mounted firing firing pin and Built-in lock.
 
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