hammer spring seats against plastic?

[W.E.G.]

I've heard that the hammer spring seats against the plastic (zytel/nylon/whatever) grip-backstrap on some of newer-generation S&W semi-autos.

The issue is that damage to the grip-backstrap could cause a malfunction.

What models seat the hammer spring against plastic?

[18DAI]

The 3rd generation S&W semi autos have the plastic cup (metal cup on early production) that holds the mainspring seated into a depression in the backstrap of the Xenoy grips.

With early production Xenoy grips, there was a risk of cracking the grip - like dropping the pistol - and turning it into a paperweight.

S&W improved the grip material - evidenced by two pin marks IIRC - in the base of the grip, and recalled previous examples.

As I recall, up until fairly recently, if you had an old set of grips without the mark, S&W would send you a free replacement set. Hope this helps! Regards 18DAI.

[Fastbolt]

S&W has been using the plastic main spring plunger (think hammer spring cup) since the middle/late 90's without problems.

Actually, in a way the plastic is an improvement over the metal plungers because the soft edges of the mouth aren't as resistant to some of the spring coils being compressed into the plunger (the coils not hitting and catching against the hard lip of the metal plunger mouth during compression).

The revised grips should have an impressed "dimple" on one side or the other of the cutout on the bottom of the grip through which the grip pin is visible.

Some folks didn't trust the plastic disconnector at first, either, even though under extended factory testing the plastic part actually held up as well, or better, compared to the metal part.

The metal part could sometimes require some careful correction of the tail (long tail disconnector) which is no longer required with the plastic part (or even discussed in more recent armorer classes). Also, the tail of the plastic disconnector seems to more easily run smoothly along the disconnector tab in the drawbar, having less potential friction against the drawbar.

The only disadvantage I've ever heard discussed during armorer classes or conversations with factory folks is that the plastic disconnector is more prone to damage during disassembly/reassembly by inattentive armorers.

A moment's inattention and careless force when using a pin punch to move the tail around the disconnector tab in the drawbar could result in damage/breakage to the plastic tail. Other than that, they seem to be an improvement in some respects over the metal ones.

Sometimes plastic parts can lend themselves to being better in some applications ... or at least, no worse.

Plastic main spring plungers & disconnectors aren't parts that I worry about as an armorer, FWIW.

[W.E.G.]

Very helpful info.

Anybody got pics to illustrate these particular parts?

[Fastbolt]

[W.E.G.]

Wow.... Thanks!!!