The firing pin on this revolver has axial play i.e. it wiggles. Shoots fine. It's my 1st revolver by S&W and was wondering if this is normal. Thanks

Totally normal, no worries. Some actually had a small spring some did not seems no rhyme or reason to the spring but they work great with or without spring.

Totally normal, no worries. Some actually had a small spring some did not seems no rhyme or reason to the spring but they work great with or without spring.

The travel of the hammer follows an arc. The firing pin must strike straight into the center of the primer in order to compress the priming compound against the anvil to ignite the primer. S&W's engineering response was a firing pin that pivots on the hammer nose so it can enter the recess in the recoil shield and be guided straight through to engage the primer.

More recent S&W revolvers feature a frame-mounted firing pin located in the recoil shield area where it is struck by the hammer nose and forced forward to engage the primer.

Totally normal. If it DIDN'T move, it would be time for repair or replacement.

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Mike H