So I'm done firing my 586. I dry fire it and it goes massively out of time, then back in time. I try test firing after back in time, nothing. Check primers, no dimple. Firing pin is now gone!

Hypothesis: Somehow firing pin stays extended after hammer drops, and next cycle gets swatted by the cylinder coming around? Maybe it was a small piece of dirt or something that got lodged and froze the firing pin out in the extended position.

More detail: When it first seemed to go out of time, after the trigger was squeezed in DA, the trigger would stay back against the rear of the trigger guard. The trigger would instantly go to it's proper position by simply nudging the cylinder. This happened repeatedly. When it finally stopped, the gun functioned normally in DA, but the firing pin was now gone.

Thank you for your diagnoses.

It went out of time & the trigger stuck. Is the gun stock or has the action been messed with? Sounds like a job for S&W CS.

Maybe it is still out of time a little (maybe from dirt in / around the cylinder stop) and the trigger is hanging up on the cylinder stop. Nudging the cylinder moved it into position and allowed the trigger to release.

Maybe firing pin was hanging up and dragging on the cylinder causing the same issue, pretty much what you hypothesised here.

It needs a function check by someone who knows what to look for, and possibly disassembly as well. No doubt it needs disassembly to check and replace the broken firing pin (and sounds maybe like its spring too).

Do you have pics?

Should've taken pics, I'm in Columbus, GA on business.

The action has had a basic defensive action job by TK Custom back when gun was first bought, and they've done great work on four guns for me going way back.

Attached Images

IMG_2287.jpg (69.3 KB, 94 views)

It's been a month so is there a follow up on your 586 & if so what went wrong & who covered the repair S&W or the shop that modified it?

The only theory I can postulate is: The side plate was previously removed and the firing pin retention pin was left out during reassembly? This should be checked.

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Dave Brown
SWCA #3279

Ah, the many advantages of floating firing pins!

I say that, with tongue firmly planted in cheek, after spending way too much time and money trying to get reliable ignition - and a decent DA trigger pull - out of two late production S&Ws.

The traditional hammer mounted firing pins were not a design flaw that needed fixing. New and "improved" often isn't.

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

Have you tried the Jerry Miculek springs? I have adjusted DA pull down to below 7.5# and still had reliable ignition.

We would like to know--did you get her fixed?

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JAREDSHS
LEO(retired)

Every revolver in my safe has a hammer mounted firing pin.

If the OP's gun firing pin tip was sheared off by the cylinder turning I would think there would be a mark on a cylinder hole and or the star and it took great force on the trigger to do it..

Engineering changes are sometimes done to improve the product but other changes are to lower production cost for increased profits.

The dash number of the 586 was not mentioned in the 1st post.

I came close to buying a 3" 586 V-Comp once.

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

It's possible that the firing pin fell inside the revolver, jamming the mechanism. The firing pin is removed from the hammer side once the retaining pin is removed. Excessive dry firing may have broken that pin, which also serves as a stop when not cushioned by a primer, and possibly the spring which retracts the firing pin.

Dry firing is an essential part of practice, but best done with snap caps (and at a location cleaned of live ammunition).

An extended firing pin will put a lot of drag on the cylinder, but I doubt you have enough leverage with the trigger to break it.

Frame mounted firing pins are here to stay. They are harder to damage, and provide a lot of protection against a perforated primer. Hammer mounted firing pins usually need fitting when replaced. Mostly though, they haven't been used on Smith revolvers for over 30 years.

Dwever there is a guy at the range I shoot at & he has a 586 L Comp & his has been giving him a few light strikes & sometimes binding a little. I mentioned the strain screw & keeping the underneath of the ejector star clean & I remembered what your 586 L Comp suddenly did & he asked about how your gun was repaired in case he has a problem so how was your problem remedied?

S&W didn't do the work. Replaced firing pin, timing checked. Runs fine. No idea what happened other than the guesses postulated above.

Thank you for your reply any firing pin can break.