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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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Old 10-28-2011, 10:03 PM
Tyrod Tyrod is offline
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Does anyone have first hand knowledge of new factory loaded .38Special ammo that is prone to misfire in S&W revolvers with lighened mainsprings? TIA
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Old 10-28-2011, 10:14 PM
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Some primers don't ignite as easily as others. Federal primers (also in American Eagle ammo) are well known to ignite easily. I've found Remington to be tougher to ignite, fwtw.
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Old 10-28-2011, 10:40 PM
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Question Odd Question...

How can you quantify "Lightened"?

Any ammo will misfire of you lighten the mainspring enough.

BTW, that would be the fault of the 'doer' not the ammo...
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Old 10-29-2011, 01:06 AM
Tyrod Tyrod is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sebago Son View Post
How can you quantify "Lightened"?

Any ammo will misfire of you lighten the mainspring enough.

BTW, that would be the fault of the 'doer' not the ammo...
Well, I suppose if one was to install a commercially available aftermarket "reduced power" mainpring in the 8lb range, one might want to avoid "known" hard to lite ammo. Rather than waste the money on a box of ammo that will be unreliable.

Now, since you folks are so detail oriented, I'm not asking about high performance or specialty ammo, I'm asking about commercial and readily available brands such that one may find at WalMart, KMart or a pooly stocked gun store for practice.
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Old 10-29-2011, 07:51 AM
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Currently Sellier & Beloit has a reputation for the most recalcitrant primers. Three years ago it was common in my area and I wish I could get my hands on a box or two, I have a 620 with the DA trigger tuned to 8 lbs. I'd like to try out with it.

I've been using the Cylinder & Slide firing pin in my 610-3, 620, and 625 JM and it's proven reliable at 8 lbs. with Winchester, Remington, Speer, and Federal ammo's but I'm curious how it would be with S&B. BTW, I do NOT recomend using this firing pin with any trigger over 9 lbs., it features extended travel in addition to being longer and can pierce a primer and stick. However, it functions perfectly at 8 lbs. with the above ammos.

If you don't want to change out the firing pin, take the DA trigger to 9-9.5 lbs and the factory firing pin will function perfectly.
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Old 10-29-2011, 08:00 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tyrod View Post
Now, since you folks are so detail oriented, I'm not asking about high performance or specialty ammo, I'm asking about commercial and readily available brands such that one may find at WalMart, KMart or a pooly stocked gun store for practice.

The only problem I've ever had (not counting moon clip 625's) was with Winchester Silvertips in my Model 24 that had a lighter main spring. Every gun being so different, I would say you will just have to try different ammo in your gun and see how it goes. If you have a gun that has a light main spring, your best bet is Federal/American Eagle.
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Old 10-29-2011, 10:06 AM
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I have not shot factory ammo through it, but I have a M67 whose double action trigger pull I estimate to be under 7 pounds and it will not reliably ignite Winchester or Wolf primers. This revolver's hammer spur has been removed so I have no idea what the single action trigger pull might be were I able to fire it single action.

I assume that most factory ammo wouldn't work in it either but since it is a "competition gun" and well-seated Federal primers work (which is what I use in it) the fact that factory ammo won't work doesn't matter to me.
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Old 10-29-2011, 12:38 PM
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many guns with lighter springs tend to exhibit this issue- the best advice is if the gun is working to leave it alone!
Most people who reload will tell you cci primers are the hardest while federal are the softest. with this info any ammo by federal would tend to ignite easier while anything cci makes in centerfire would be wise to avoid. Ironically most cci rimfires seem to be more reliable than just about any other 22 in regards to misfires,go figure!
make sure your strain screw is fully tightened to eliminate misfires also.
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Old 10-29-2011, 02:33 PM
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May be difficult do get a good answer because quite a few people who modify their guns also reload and once you load your own your use of factory ammo drops off big time. A thought may be to try to use federal ammo, I would assume they use their own primers in it and they are the same as the ones sold to reloaders. Most reloaders consider them to be the most sensitive.
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Old 10-29-2011, 05:07 PM
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I have also heard that CCI primers are harder in nature and am just as curious as Major is concerning the CCI rim-fires. To my (brain cells dying by the day) memory....I have never had a CCI rim-fire misfire.

Anyway...I have no idea how the commercial ammo I shoot is primed, except like mentioned above....if the ammo-maker also makes primers as well, that's likely how they are primed. I just steer clear of CCI primers. Shooting a 9# Wolff hammer over a 13# Wolff rebound and stock firing-pin....no FTF that I recall. I strictly shoot the small pistol Federal and Remington in my 38-special reloads.
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610, commercial, model 24, model 625, remington, silvertips, winchester

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