Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Revolvers > S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980
o

Notices

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


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 08-25-2021, 07:57 PM
Dr.Tramp's Avatar
Dr.Tramp Dr.Tramp is offline
Member
Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy  
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Cheyenne WY
Posts: 24
Likes: 18
Liked 44 Times in 15 Posts
Default Howdy

New member from Cheyenne WY here. I inherited an ex police model 10-10 revolver in 38sp with a +P barrel. Shoots nice but I'm experiencing light strikes on some ammo so I suspect it may need a new firing pin and I've been trying to figure exactly when it was manufactured so that I order the correct part.
The serial number on the frame under the crane is BRR0232 with Mod 10-10 under that and the only number on the crane itself is 201.
S&W 10-10.JPG
Mahalo. Dr.Tramp...........
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #2  
Old 08-25-2021, 08:00 PM
HughD1 HughD1 is offline
Member
Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy  
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: SW Mississippi
Posts: 360
Likes: 2
Liked 925 Times in 225 Posts
Default

Is the strain screw tight?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #3  
Old 08-25-2021, 09:04 PM
Babysitr Babysitr is offline
Member
Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy  
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: southern illinois
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 2,248
Liked 2,389 Times in 1,008 Posts
Default

Welcome from Illinois...HughD1 is correct, pull the grips, ch. strain screw, give it a good cleaning and oiling then performance test again!
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #4  
Old 08-25-2021, 09:38 PM
two-bit cowboy's Avatar
two-bit cowboy two-bit cowboy is offline
US Veteran
Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy  
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: trail's end in ol' Wyo
Posts: 7,204
Likes: 17,361
Liked 18,216 Times in 5,013 Posts
Default

Welcome aboard, Doc, and Semper Fi.

I don't have any BRR serial numbers in my database, but I would guess 1994.

I agree with the others, as Gomer Pyle would have said, "Clean, clean, clean."
__________________
Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 08-25-2021, 09:52 PM
lkabug's Avatar
lkabug lkabug is online now
US Veteran
Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy  
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Piedmont of Virginia
Posts: 3,971
Likes: 4,402
Liked 5,738 Times in 2,220 Posts
Default

Welcome from the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Check that strain screw as noted above, and give it a good cleaning.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 08-25-2021, 10:11 PM
Zarr's Avatar
Zarr Zarr is offline
SWCA Member
Absent Comrade
Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy  
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Western Massachusetts
Posts: 680
Likes: 8,607
Liked 547 Times in 264 Posts
Default

Welcome from Western Massachusetts. You're in the right place for answers.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #7  
Old 08-26-2021, 06:17 AM
stansdds stansdds is offline
Member
Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy  
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Virginia
Posts: 8,713
Likes: 19,282
Liked 11,738 Times in 5,351 Posts
Default

Welcome to the S&W Forums!
Light strikes are most often caused by a strain screw that has either been shortened or has backed out. Check the screw, make sure it is tight. Some people will shorten the strain screw, trying to get a lighter trigger pull. It is also possible that someone replaced the main spring with a lighter spring. Any of these issues will cause light primer strikes and seem to be the most common causes of light strikes.
__________________
VCDL, GOA, NRA
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #8  
Old 08-26-2021, 09:08 AM
bananaman's Avatar
bananaman bananaman is offline
Member
Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy  
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Hillsdale, Mi.
Posts: 7,474
Likes: 6,987
Liked 7,017 Times in 2,928 Posts
Default

Welcome to the FORUM from Michigan! I have purchased K frames that came to me with shortened strain screws. You can usually see sloppy workmanship on them. Changed them and never had an issue again. Are you shooting new loads, or reloads? The reason I say this is hard ammo primers can be a problem for some guns. Bob
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 08-26-2021, 09:43 AM
lppd4 lppd4 is offline
Member
Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy  
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Deer Park, Texas
Posts: 501
Likes: 733
Liked 1,135 Times in 303 Posts
Default

Welcome from the Great State of Texas. I'm already envious of you, because of where you live. My wife and I really enjoy Wyoming in the summertime. We vacation there often to escape this Texas heat. This forum has more knowledge assembled here than you can imagine. Awesome resource for all things S&W
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 08-26-2021, 01:50 PM
OLDSTER's Avatar
OLDSTER OLDSTER is offline
Member
Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy  
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: North Dakota
Posts: 10,146
Likes: 14,187
Liked 12,739 Times in 3,480 Posts
Default

Hi from North Dakota
__________________
John
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 08-26-2021, 02:07 PM
Dr.Tramp's Avatar
Dr.Tramp Dr.Tramp is offline
Member
Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy  
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Cheyenne WY
Posts: 24
Likes: 18
Liked 44 Times in 15 Posts
Default

Thanks everybody. The strain screw is tight with no signs of modification. It happens most when shooting Magtech ammo but also occurs with other factory ammo and reloads. Least common with reloads.
Thought of firing pin wear because I've had it happen with other older firearms.
The only other S&W I have in the safe is a 422 field model so no comparison there and the only other revolver I have with the same firing pin design is a 1917 Colt service revolver in 45acp.
Will clean everything again and see what happens.
Ride Safe. Dr.Tramp............

Last edited by Dr.Tramp; 08-26-2021 at 02:17 PM.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #12  
Old 08-26-2021, 02:40 PM
mdf9183's Avatar
mdf9183 mdf9183 is offline
US Veteran
Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy  
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Bastrop Texas
Posts: 955
Likes: 260
Liked 965 Times in 378 Posts
Default

Welcome from Bastrop, Texas
__________________
Dogs are better than people.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 08-26-2021, 03:59 PM
steelslaver's Avatar
steelslaver steelslaver is offline
US Veteran
Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy  
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Central Montana
Posts: 13,625
Likes: 12,742
Liked 39,092 Times in 9,967 Posts
Default

A slightly longer strain screw might fix it. Might try spraying brake cleaner around the firing pin channel. I have never had a problem with a firing pin myself. The main spring and screw yes

Last edited by steelslaver; 08-26-2021 at 04:03 PM.
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #14  
Old 08-26-2021, 04:08 PM
bgrafsr's Avatar
bgrafsr bgrafsr is offline
US Veteran
Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy  
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Homerville, Ohio
Posts: 5,394
Likes: 28,584
Liked 9,201 Times in 2,374 Posts
Default

Ahh, Magtech. When I use Magtech SP primers, I get misfires several times out of a batch of reloads. Very frustrating to say the least. I try to stay with Winchester or Federal SP primers.
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #15  
Old 08-27-2021, 07:45 AM
stansdds stansdds is offline
Member
Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy  
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Virginia
Posts: 8,713
Likes: 19,282
Liked 11,738 Times in 5,351 Posts
Default

Some ammo feature easy to ignite primers, Federal being considered the easiest to ignite. Some ammo feature primers that seem to be more military grade, meaning it takes a really good strike to ignite them. I have little experience with Magtech ammo, but I know CCI/Speer ammo and primers require more energy to ignite than Winchester or Federal primers.
__________________
VCDL, GOA, NRA
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #16  
Old 08-27-2021, 11:39 AM
oink oink is offline
Member
Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy  
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Southern FL, East side.
Posts: 2,281
Likes: 2,312
Liked 3,011 Times in 1,251 Posts
Default

Try the old spent primer between the screw and the spring trick. Try one with the anvil removed first.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #17  
Old 08-27-2021, 12:13 PM
Muley Gil Muley Gil is online now
US Veteran
Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: The SW Va Blue Ridge
Posts: 17,473
Likes: 88,961
Liked 24,781 Times in 8,482 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr.Tramp View Post
New member from Cheyenne WY here. I inherited an ex police model 10-10 revolver in 38sp with a +P barrel. Shoots nice but I'm experiencing light strikes on some ammo so I suspect it may need a new firing pin and I've been trying to figure exactly when it was manufactured so that I order the correct part.
The serial number on the frame under the crane is BRR0232 with Mod 10-10 under that and the only number on the crane itself is 201.
Attachment 529068
Mahalo. Dr.Tramp...........
Welcome Doc.

Just what exactly are you referring to as a "+P barrel"? According to S&W, all of their revolvers that are model marked are safe with +P loads.
__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 08-27-2021, 12:16 PM
Dr.Tramp's Avatar
Dr.Tramp Dr.Tramp is offline
Member
Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy  
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Cheyenne WY
Posts: 24
Likes: 18
Liked 44 Times in 15 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Muley Gil View Post
Welcome Doc.

Just what exactly are you referring to as a "+P barrel"? According to S&W, all of their revolvers that are model marked are safe with +P loads.
The barrel is stamped "38 S&W SPL. +P"

Last edited by Dr.Tramp; 08-27-2021 at 12:18 PM.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #19  
Old 08-27-2021, 12:25 PM
Dr.Tramp's Avatar
Dr.Tramp Dr.Tramp is offline
Member
Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy  
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Cheyenne WY
Posts: 24
Likes: 18
Liked 44 Times in 15 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by oink View Post
Try the old spent primer between the screw and the spring trick. Try one with the anvil removed first.
Thanks. I'll give that a try. Does anybody have a length dimension for the screw and is it suppose to have a flat or round face?
This one has a flat face but doesn't look like it's been ground down.
Ride Safe. Dr.Tramp............
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 08-27-2021, 02:31 PM
Dr.Tramp's Avatar
Dr.Tramp Dr.Tramp is offline
Member
Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy  
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Cheyenne WY
Posts: 24
Likes: 18
Liked 44 Times in 15 Posts
Default

I found a number of pics of the strain screw online and it appears that it is suppose to have a round face so I ordered a new OEM one from Numrich.
When it gets here I'll measure it against the one I have to see if there's any difference in overall length.
Ride Safe. Dr.Tramp.............
BTW. If anybody plans on visiting the Cheyenne area you might be interested to know that the shooting range I have a membership at, Otto Road, sponsors a cowboy action competition every 4th of July. Great fun even if you're just a spectator.
Cowboy Action Clubs - Otto Road Shooting Range

Last edited by Dr.Tramp; 08-28-2021 at 11:29 PM.
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #21  
Old 08-28-2021, 08:35 AM
stansdds stansdds is offline
Member
Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy  
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Virginia
Posts: 8,713
Likes: 19,282
Liked 11,738 Times in 5,351 Posts
Default

I think the marking on the barrel specifying 38 Special +P started in the late 1980's or in the 1990's. I know the current production Classic Model 10 has that same marking.
__________________
VCDL, GOA, NRA
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #22  
Old 08-28-2021, 11:17 AM
Dr.Tramp's Avatar
Dr.Tramp Dr.Tramp is offline
Member
Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy  
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Cheyenne WY
Posts: 24
Likes: 18
Liked 44 Times in 15 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by stansdds View Post
I think the marking on the barrel specifying 38 Special +P started in the late 1980's or in the 1990's. I know the current production Classic Model 10 has that same marking.
You may be correct. A friend of mine has an earlier heavy barrel model, a 10-6 I think, and it's not stamped +P.
He got it when he was an LEO and kept it as his back up gun when his department went to 9mm auto loaders. Then when he retired it became his nightstand piece.
Ride Safe. Dr.Tramp..........
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #23  
Old 08-28-2021, 08:31 PM
Rustyt1953's Avatar
Rustyt1953 Rustyt1953 is online now
US Veteran
Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy  
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Hamilton, Ohio
Posts: 44,116
Likes: 61,587
Liked 188,346 Times in 36,193 Posts
Default

__________________
Music/Sports/Beer fan
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 09-02-2021, 12:10 PM
Dr.Tramp's Avatar
Dr.Tramp Dr.Tramp is offline
Member
Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy Howdy  
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Cheyenne WY
Posts: 24
Likes: 18
Liked 44 Times in 15 Posts
Default

The new strain screw from Numrich arrived this morning so I checked its length against the one that was in the revolver and found that the old one was .022" shorter than the new one. Installed the new one and it does appear to increase the trigger pull in DA mode but not a great deal.
I think my father intended for my mother to use this 38 so he may have shortened the screw in an attempt to decrease the trigger pull for her.
Next step; out to the range with the same ammo I was having problems with to see if anything changed.
Ride Safe. Dr.Tramp...............

Update: I tried all the Magtech stuff that didn't fired the first time again and this time about a third of it fired which left 17 out of 50 rounds as duds.
I also shot 50 rounds of Federal and reloaded ammo and all of it fired with no problem.
The Magtech ammo (150 rounds) was something I got real cheap from a guy, and now I know why, and it's not a biggie because I can always use the brass.
So I'm going to take the remaining 100 rounds out to the range and what doesn't work I'll just pull the bullets, dump the powder, de-prime the brass, clean and reload it.

Last edited by Dr.Tramp; 09-02-2021 at 10:13 PM.
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Howdy from Ma Charlton Heston New Members Introduction 20 08-31-2014 07:08 PM
Howdy from PA eatmydust New Members Introduction 19 08-21-2014 10:46 PM
Howdy Habeas17 New Members Introduction 8 09-26-2011 05:15 PM
Howdy 22rimfire New Members Introduction 8 05-05-2011 09:28 PM
Howdy, all! Poco New Members Introduction 8 04-28-2011 06:49 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:26 PM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)