I just bought a new 357PD 41 Mag. have been looking forward to getting to the range with it ,, finaly made it today,

well first cylinder it failed to go off, same with second , getting very light pin strikes to the catridge, after closer examination it appears that the firing pin is encapable of going out far enough to even hit the primer , even with trigger pulled and pushing forward on hammer it is just visable protruding from the frame

soo,,any suggestions?

or should I just send it back to smith ?

really disappointed as this is the first brandnew smith I had bought in awhile

Thanks in advance
Ken

It's starting to be a real trend with the new ones apparently? There's a thread running on several of the new Night Guard series having the same issues. Some think it's related to trying to pass certain state's "drop tests". I don't have an answer, but I know the first thing I'd do? And that would be the .015" longer C&S firing pin. My last experience with a NIB not firing was a 686 (can't remember the dash?) back in 99' doing the same thing. 4 years ago, it was a M-66 late edition (used) that wouldn't. In both cases, the over length pin solved it. I'm not sure if that would still apply though?
If new, I'd make sure the company stood good for it though.

I'd just call S&W. There are firing pins that measure .480-.485" oal that seem to be problematic. The ones that measure .492-.495" (or longer) seem fine. Having them drop a firing pin in an envelope seems easier than shipping the gun back and forth.

ok i will try the phone call first , see what they have to offer

thanks

I am having the same problem on 329PD in 44 mag about, 1 / 100 rds shows light primary strike put it in my 629, works fine. Anyway to tell which revisions have the shorter pins?

Only sure way I know is to measure the pin.

well she is on her way back to smith , I asked about the firing pin , and got the "I really do not know what your talking about " from smith so off it goes,

hope it comes home soon

Did you measure the firing pin before you sent it off? Be interesting to see what it comes back with.

quote:

Originally posted by M1tankgod:
well she is on her way back to smith...

M1 - Way to go, it's the right thing to do.

All too often when someone gets a new gun that doesn't work, they get ticked off and either try to fix it themselves or send it off to a gunsmith, never giving the manufacturer the opportunity to make it right.

My bet is, S&W will fix it and you'll be a happy S&W owner.

Oh and, good call on the 357PD; that's one heckuva platform for the .41 Magnum.

Thanks Kevin

can't wait to actually shoot it!