Firing pin question?

[cjcutter1]

I just cleaned up a new to me model 10 no dash 1960 the firing pin moves freely my other Smiths primarily N frames have spring tension. Is this the norm? Appreciate it just caught my eye as I cleaned her up. Shot like a champ first time out with it since I bought about a month ago! Thank you!

[armorer951]

Yes sir, that movement in the hammer nose is perfectly normal.

[Hondo44]

Some models have firing pin springs and some don't.

[armorer951]

I tried, but I couldn't find a "firing pin" in my antique revolver parts book.......

[Hondo44]

Yes we could have told you that unless you looked up a rimfire model except the M frame rimfire.

It's an antique generic term for S&Ws center fire and M frame rimfire hammer mounted 'hammer nose' term now. And a current term for modern S&Ws with frame mounted firing pins.

And not unlike like the generic 'grips' for stocks that Roy Jinks usually uses in his letters:


Photo credit: long colt frazier


Photo credit: Bill Bates

[armorer951]

Missed my point entirely. In this model, it's not called a "firing pin".

[Pisgah]

At one time I owned three police trade-in Model 10's. The serial number spread between them, as I recall, was less than 200, so one could reasonably assume they were built at roughly the same time. One had the hammer nose spring, two did not. Again assuming, the hammer nose spring -- like the little "trigger stop" rod placed inside the trigger rebound spring in some models -- either was not always put in to revolvers as they were built or was often lost during servicing or repair. Like an appendix or tonsils, while they serve a theoretical purpose they are not really needed.

[McShooty]

In my experience with S&Ws examined and purchased, K-frames and smaller generally do not have hammer nose springs while N-frames generally have them. I haven't examined many old N-frames, however.

I have a .38 top break Perfected Model (small frame action same as first hand ejector) in which the hammer nose would upon firing be in the up (rear) position and would fail to fire because the hammer nose hung up on the frame. If I hold the hammer nose down it will always fire.

I'll just toss this out for consideration. Maybe a hammer nose spring is included on models where there is some possibility of it hanging up on the frame when fired. Just a guess.

[cjcutter1]

Originally Posted by armorer951

Missed my point entirely. In this model, it's not called a "firing pin".

No I got it my terminology was off! Appreciate the help none the less!

[Hondo44]

Originally Posted by armorer951

Missed my point entirely. In this model, it's not called a "firing pin".

No I didn't, you missed my point entirely. We have free speech in America. Including you. We all understand your point just as you meant it. I'm free to make a more informative post about the subject matter for all members, new and longer, w/o implied rebuke.

[armorer951]

There's no rebuke intended. Just would like everyone to understand how important it is to use the correct terminology. Sorry you were offended.

[Hondo44]

No need to apologize, not offended, just that it didn't seem friendly nor seem exlained with tolerance.

Enjoy the day,

[Muley Gil]

Yes, the S&W term for firing pin is indeed "hammer nose." Just like S&Ws have yokes, while Colts have cranes. However, have you ever heard of a burr on a "hammer nose bushing" or someone losing a "hammer nose bushing?" Me either. It is always "firing pin bushing."

I checked Numrich Arms and one schematic lists a firing pin bushing (M10), while the schematic for the M19 does have a hammer nose bushing listed.

Yes, we should use proper terminology, but I prefer to do it like "Some firing pins, or as S&W calls them, hammer noses, have springs while some don't."

And for those that let these things get under their skins-pencil barrel, pencil barrel, pencil barrel!