When I first put together my Franken-Smith using a 639 frame and a 439 slide the firing pin broke for no apparent reason. I figured I was dealing with used parts and replaced it, no big deal. I’ve probably only put five hundred or fewer rounds through it since the change, but apparently it has happened again. I haven’t had time to take it apart to see what is there, but I thought I’d ask, has anyone else had problems with firing pins in their Model 439?

TIA ~ Froggie

I haven't had this specific problem before, but if you haven't done so, I would thoroughly clean the firing pin cavity with a suitable solvent like alcohol, (or acetone) with the assistance of some Q-tips.....and it may help to replace the firing pin spring as well.

Hope you get the issue sorted out.

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

While I’m sure that it happens, I can say with complete honesty that I’ve literally not EVER even heard of it. And you’ve done it twice, that’s plumb nutty.

Where is the break? At the “obvious” place where the thinnest part of the pin meets the fuller diameter of the part?

Definitely compelling, this one.

This should be interesting. I've not broken a firing pin in anything... yet. How about a pic or two of the broken firing pin?

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

I field stripped the slide off the receiver, but when I got to the part where I tried to push the firing pin forward to lock so I could remove the safety. It wouldn’t push forward!! I’m assuming I’ve got something going on with the FP spring, blocking it from full travel. I guess I’ll force it forward, remove the safety, and pull the firing pin. Stay tuned…

Froggie

“Curiouser and curiouser”. When I got the slide into my padded vise so I could manipulate parts with both hands, it appeared that the firing pin was frozen in place and couldn’t be moved far enough to take out the safety. I finally got the bright idea to use a long punch from the muzzle end of the slide and. Gently tap the firing pin back to full retracted position. Once I did that it seemed to free up and I could “capture” the FP to disassemble normally. Surprisingly, the FP spring didn’t want to drop out normally, so I had to fish it out with a hooked end pick. To be honest, I don’t see anything wrong with any of the parts now that they are out, so I’ll probably just clean everything well and look for burrs etc as I put it back together. In the meanwhile, I have a 915 slide on the gun and will probably be putting an Optima base on in place of the rear sight so I can shoot this one with a red dot reflex sight… that’s your fault, Guzzitaco!

Froggie

Umm, dumb question from me but are you depressing the lever before pushing the FP in? Seems I’m not reading that part in your description.

Jim

Well not a lever, I’m so very tired.

Here’s a picture, depress, then push in firing pin to clear. Then release to keep the FP in. Usually you need to push the FP in a bit more to clear the safety/decocker.

Sorry for the confusion.

Jim

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Yeah, that was part of my problem while trying to juggle the slide, push the FP in and depress the retainer plug, I didn’t get everything in the right place, so the plug locked up as well.

I’ve still got to figure out why it quit working though!

Froggie

I would thoroughly clean the firing pin tunnel and also remove the rear sight and thoroughly clean the tunnels beneath the rear sight. Check tunnels for rust and burs. Check the plungers and firing pin for rust and burs. Re-assemble with all new springs.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA