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S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 3-Screw PINNED Barrel SWING-OUT Cylinder Hand Ejectors WITH Model Numbers


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  #1  
Old 06-02-2012, 12:36 AM
Doug.38PR Doug.38PR is offline
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Default Model 15 Hammer nose broke :(

Well, I learned the hard way that dryfiring is a BAD idea. The firing pin/hammer nose crystalized and broke off last night.
Gun was made in 1971. I called S&W to try to order another nose but they didn't have anymore rivets.
I tried brownells and numrich but they were out of the particular model number 15-3 I needed.

Soo...I just took it to a local gunsmith to let them handle it for a modest fee.

Too bad, the fact is a REAL nice Jordan Holster made by Don Hume came in for it. Hopefully the gunsmith will have parts on hand and be able to fix it right away without ordering anything.

The old folks who ran the store loved admiring my guns, showed me a few jewels of their own, including a S&W 1917 .45 ACP revolver

Lesson: DO NOT DRYFIRE ANY GUN EVER unless there are snapcaps or live rounds
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  #2  
Old 06-02-2012, 12:39 AM
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Model 15 Hammer nose broke :( Model 15 Hammer nose broke :( Model 15 Hammer nose broke :( Model 15 Hammer nose broke :( Model 15 Hammer nose broke :(  
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Too bad you didn't post this before going to a smith, I have quite a few S&W hammers & triggers.
Cost would have $0.00.....
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Old 06-02-2012, 12:46 AM
Doug.38PR Doug.38PR is offline
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thanks! But it's not the hammer itself that's broke, it's the tip of the nose attached to the hammer. I figured there must be a A LOT of those S&W parts out there since the guns have been manufactured for like 100 years and were only discontinued/changed-to-internal-firing-pin 12 years ago.

I got that M-15 for $400 at a gun show a few years back just to have a knock down drag out beat up gun. But I have REALLY grown to like it....just about as much as my Colt Official Polices
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Old 06-02-2012, 01:04 AM
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Model 15 Hammer nose broke :( Model 15 Hammer nose broke :( Model 15 Hammer nose broke :(  
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The firing pin/hammer nose does break like that sometimes, dry fire or not. It's one of the more common parts on a S&W that actually BREAK, as opposed to wear out. There seems to be no way to predict it. I have had one break on a high mileage Model 14 and a low mileage Model 10.
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Old 06-02-2012, 02:35 AM
lebomm lebomm is offline
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Model 15 Hammer nose broke :( Model 15 Hammer nose broke :(  
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I've been buying & shooting Smith & Wessons since 1972, dry-fired every last one of 'em, and have never broken any part. These things are built to take it, but if i ever did break a hammer nose, I think I'd just put a hammer in it - it's easier.
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Old 06-02-2012, 01:29 PM
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One of my greatest gripes against S&W is their abandonment of parts support for the older guns.
With hundreds of thousands out there, a good percentage of which will wear something out or break something eventually, things like firing pins, triggers, hammers, rivets, etc. will be needed & there will be a market for them.

Denis
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Old 06-02-2012, 01:48 PM
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Model 15 Hammer nose broke :( Model 15 Hammer nose broke :( Model 15 Hammer nose broke :( Model 15 Hammer nose broke :( Model 15 Hammer nose broke :(  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dpris View Post
One of my greatest gripes against S&W is their abandonment of parts support for the older guns.
With hundreds of thousands out there, a good percentage of which will wear something out or break something eventually, things like firing pins, triggers, hammers, rivets, etc. will be needed & there will be a market for them.

Denis
Sounds like a lucrative business for a budding new businessman. Or maybe someone like Apex could step up some production.
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Old 06-02-2012, 02:55 PM
Dpris Dpris is offline
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That's exactly what it'll be, and in my opinion S&W is foolish to ignore it.

Somebody like Jack First will step in, but who knows what the quality levels will be?
Denis
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Old 06-02-2012, 04:58 PM
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Model 15 Hammer nose broke :( Model 15 Hammer nose broke :( Model 15 Hammer nose broke :( Model 15 Hammer nose broke :( Model 15 Hammer nose broke :(  
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Most of the time the rivet can be re-used, if it is removed carefully with the proper punch.
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Old 06-02-2012, 05:52 PM
Dpris Dpris is offline
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And, for those occasions when it can't?
JB Weld!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Denis
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  #11  
Old 06-03-2012, 01:20 AM
Doug.38PR Doug.38PR is offline
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Gun's fixed. I turned it in yesterday afternoon about 4 and their gunsmith wouldn't be in until this morning. They called me early this morning and their gunsmith told me he had the part and everything fell into place. I picked it up within the hour
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  #12  
Old 06-03-2012, 01:53 AM
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Model 15 Hammer nose broke :( Model 15 Hammer nose broke :( Model 15 Hammer nose broke :( Model 15 Hammer nose broke :( Model 15 Hammer nose broke :(  
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Nice!!!!, now treat it well.....
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Old 06-03-2012, 03:28 AM
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That's nice, till the supply of old parts runs out.....

I've acquired spares for Smiths & Colts, Ruger DAs are about impossible. Gotta buy entire spare GUNS there.
Denis
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Old 06-03-2012, 01:52 PM
GerSan69 GerSan69 is offline
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Model 15 Hammer nose broke :( Model 15 Hammer nose broke :( Model 15 Hammer nose broke :( Model 15 Hammer nose broke :( Model 15 Hammer nose broke :(  
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J&G has Model 10, everything but the frame for around $100. I'd venture to guess the individual cost of the parts exceeds that. I got one just to have it. The parts were from a 2" and include the barrel and the complete cylinder assembly.
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Old 06-03-2012, 02:28 PM
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Take-offs don't always fit on other guns, I don't bother with used.
I have several unused NOS parts, including critical new hand & new ratchet, for a Victory model in .38 S&W on the way, and I don't even have a Victory.
Yet.

I buy new triggers & hammers and occasional small parts when I can find 'em.
As it stands, I SHOULD be able to keep my Smiths running for my lifetime with "new" factory parts, independent of the factory.
After that, somebody else's problem.

Doing the same for other makers' key guns in the vault.
Except for Ruger, as noted.
Denis
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Old 06-03-2012, 04:48 PM
Doug.38PR Doug.38PR is offline
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it was the last hammer nose that gunsmith had. Wish S&W would go back to making their hammers that way instead of the internal firing pin. Wish they would bring back the square butt too.
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  #17  
Old 06-03-2012, 05:45 PM
TACC1 TACC1 is offline
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Model 15 Hammer nose broke :( Model 15 Hammer nose broke :( Model 15 Hammer nose broke :( Model 15 Hammer nose broke :( Model 15 Hammer nose broke :(  
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Glad you got your shooter fixed. The beauty of the
S&W brand's popularity shows up in the multitude of
Qualified S&W 'smiths out there. Fixed and running in
no time at all.
STCM gets My award for "nice guy of the day". I don't
know how many times I've seen other such offers here, in my
short membership, and it always warms my heart.
TACC1
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