firing pin issue?

[w55]

My Model 66 Smith is not striking the primers hard enough to fire them off, out of six shots 1 to 2 rounds will fail to fire. it is no set pattern i can see. Any ideas would b appreciated, thanks.

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

Check the mainspring strain screw. It's the small screw at the front of the grip frame near the bottom. If that screw loosens, the mainspring isn't tensioned fully when the hammer is drawn rearward and light firing pin strikes will result. Please ensure that you use a properly fitting screwdriver so that you don't bugger the head of the screw (it's easy to do that, the screw head is small).

Some people misguidedly loosen the screw themselves to obtain a lighter trigger pull. Some even grind down the tip of the screw for the same purpose. If your strain screw is tight and the light strikes continue, remove the screw and see if the tip has been ground. If so, replace the screw.

If the strain screw is tight and undamaged, the next culprit is usually the mainspring itself.

[goathead]

main spring send it back to Smith

[Beelzy]

First, check the ammo in question to make sure the primers are actually below
flush. If they aren't they could be the cause. The firing pin could be "pushing"
those high primers and not hitting them with enough force.

Second, check for nice even craters on the fired primers, shallow craters is
a good way to discern if the mainspring is the culprit.

Lastly, a good Smith can check all that out if you take him the cases and gun.

[maxicon]

The strain screw/mainspring are the main culprits, like others have suggested.

If you (or a previous owner) have had work done, sometimes a gun with a lightened trigger will fail to touch off ammo reliably, due to lighter springs - Cylinder and Slide sells an extended firing pin that fixes this. It's inexpensive and easy to replace.

http://www.cylinder-slide.com/index.php?app=ccp0&ns=prodshow&ref=124

[john323]

firing pin issue?

As alot of calgunners have said it is the mainspring or the strain screw.If the screw is tight and you are in need of a mainspring I have some.Please do not put red locktight on the screw. A simple thing to do while you wait. John johnsgunsmithing@live.com 323-722-3903

[L-2]

Perhaps, lastly, there's also the possibility of excess cylinder end play, which was the problem on my Model 66.

[maxicon]

Good point!

Do you know what caused the excessive end play? Was it too many extreme loads, a steady diet of magnums, etc?

[w55]

Hey thanks for the replies, been busy at work so just getting back to this. The previous owner said he lightened the trigger pull, so will try what has been suggested next weekend. Thanks again for the replies!