I considered my self lucky recently when I found an opportunity. I decided to be rid of a foreign 44 spec snubby because of scarcity of repair parts. While searching the pawn shops I found a 13-3 RB, 3" in nice to my eyes cond. I made the deal including trade and walked out happy..It ate some 18 or so 158 lead swc's over 5.5 Unique very well. I broke it down, cleaned lubed and since the smallest perseptable endshake appeared, ( between .004 to .008 air gap) I put in a .002 shim. We happy so far. Then out to the yard and feeding some 158 LSWC over 4.4g 231 It started not wanting to rotate. Apparently the "thing", the disk in the recoil shield where the fp sticks thru has become dislodged and sunk in some. The fired primers back out a tad and fill the gap. I had known about this problem in the no dash 586's. Pics to follow if I find my memory chip adapter. Does S&W fix this or have I outsmarted myself again?

Attached Images

DSCN0860.jpg (33.2 KB, 450 views)

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"Don't Give Up the Ship"

I think the"thing" you are describing may be the firing pin bushing.

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Send lawyers, guns & money...

Yes, the factory can replace the "hammer nose bushing", just as they do with the early 580/680 series guns. Give customer service a call and arrange a trip back for it.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

So just wonderin; How often must Hammer Nose Bushings be changed? This is a low round count gun. I did not push it hard. My 586 back in the 90's was broke so bad S&W replaced the entire frame, put on my old parts. The finish coloring was different.

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"Don't Give Up the Ship"

In my observations it is unusual for a lightly used gun to need this replaced. Hopefully there is not a problem with the frame that caused the problem.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Try it without the shim.

Normally, the hammer nose bushing is good for the life of the gun. As with any mass produced item, there will be variations in the parts and a few will not be made right. If they are manufactured and installed correctly to begin with, they will go a long time.

Over the course of many hammer strikes sometimes a burr will form around the firing pin hole. This can be stoned flat. After 2 or 3 stonings, the burr will not occur any more.

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protocalldesign.com

I had that exact thing on my 357 Mtn Gun. The bushing had backed out so when the round was fired, the primer would back out, filling the hole and would actually jam the gun. I think that is why the guy I purchased it from sold me the gun in the first place! I sent it in to S&W and had it repaired. I later traded it to a friend for a 696 ND .44sp. The gun was fine after repair.

Is the new Hammer Nose Bushing installed from the front? Is there supposed to be a ledge to seat it to? If no adequate ledge, is that poor work on original assembly and the frame useless?

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"Don't Give Up the Ship"

“Air gap”

First time I’ve heard of that. I’ve always heard it called “barrel cylinder” gap or “B/C” gap.

The damaged bushing is driven out of the breechface from the rear. The new bushing will then be staked in place using a special tool that is inserted down the barrel. The tool has a spring loaded plunger that centers it on the hammer nose hole in the bushing, and places the peening ring around the perimeter of the bushing.

It's possible that the wrong bushing was originally used, or it was improperly installed. If you look carefully, the staking ring around the bushing cavity is not uniform. Very heavy at the bottom, almost absent at the top.

Judging by the photo of your current bushing, there appears to be significant damage to the hole provided for the hammer nose. Consequently, for safety's sake, I wouldn't shoot the gun until it is properly serviced. When you send it back to be repaired, if it doesn't already have one, addition of a hammer nose spring would help mitigate the damage to the bushing hole in the long term.



Hammer nose bushing staking tool......

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

Never had a problem with one, but yours is toast . Not only is it low, but, like observed by Armorer951 it has been worn to the point the hole is elongated. Something not quite right.

Now that we have a photo...

Yes, that is definitely not the normal appearance of the bushing. Back to the factory it should go to sort out several potential issues.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

On the phone S&W said they have no parts for this year of product, then offered a shipping label. Rather than have them offer a MIM IL replacement at exorbitant cost, I got rid of it at original dealer for a minimal loss. Only now do I see why people buy new product, but only if it can be examined by independent competent gunsmith. It looks as of late, consumers are to act as unpaid quality control agents, but to be over ruled by corporate tolerances.

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"Don't Give Up the Ship"

Caveat emptor for the next potential owner?

Perhaps S&W could contact MidwayUSA for the bushing. They have some in stock. With the proper tools, the bushing repair and replacement would take 30 minutes.

Glad you were able to get a portion of your money back. Still, it's sad to see manufacturers like S&W abandon these older firearms and turn their backs on the owners. Perhaps we need to start a bona fide "rehab" facility for old, abandoned but repairable revolvers.

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

Armorer951, would it be possible to get the dimensions of that staking tool from you? I would like to see if I could have one made.
Thanks in advance.
KAC

"Only now do I see why people buy new product, but only if it can be examined by independent competent gunsmith. It looks as of late, consumers are to act as unpaid quality control agents, but to be over ruled by corporate tolerances."
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How does that statement relate to your gun made over 30 years ago?

Have yo not seen the posts on this board of new S&W buyers being jerked around by CS? I have.

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"Don't Give Up the Ship"

Thanks, I think I understand you now.

Thanks for the innuendo. Just glad I don't need a ladder to get off my horse.

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"Don't Give Up the Ship"

The hammer nose bushing hole is way too large, the two 3” 13s that I have owned and the 4” that I own all have a smaller hole. Very much like early L frames that needed the mod, smaller hammer nose hole, hammer nose diameter and hammer nose spring.

In regards to the availability of parts for all previous models available,. Can you imagine the size of the warehouse and the amount of dollars tied up in inventory that it would take to maintain a "lifetime" supply of all parts to repair all models? They have to have a cut off point sometime and with profitability to keep in business I'm surprised lots of models having parts available beyond 5 years.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244