Model 19-3 Combat Magnum Firing Pin Problem

fatboy02 · Mar 18, 2015

Hello All,

I need help! My 1977 19-3 is starting to mis-fire almost once per load. The firing pin does not completely strike the case hard enough or deep enough to engage the primer when using double action. If I re-seat the bullet and use single action or often try to re-fire with double action the bullet fires. The gun has less than a 3,000 rounds through it I would guess. I have tried to re-bend the main spring but have yet to test that change. Would I be served by replacing the main spring after almost 40 years? I don't think that my issue is with my reloads.

Fatboy02
-S&W Combat Magnum 6" Barrel
-S&W M&P Shield 9mm
-SA XDm 9mm Compact
-SA 1911 A-1 Range Office
-SA XD MOD.2 .45ACP Sub-Compact

kenjen · Mar 18, 2015

try adding a spent primer cup to the strain screw, might help?

chief38 · Mar 18, 2015

Make sure:

A) the Strain Screw is tightened all the way

B) The Strain Screw has not been improperly shortened - too short to put enough tension on the Main Spring.

series guy · Mar 18, 2015

Also if the front screw on the side plate is loose you will have the problems you describe. Age doesn't seem to affect the main spring much as my Triplelock from 1913 still sets every shot off.

Retired W4 · Mar 18, 2015

I'm wondering if you purchased the gun new in 1977. If there is a previous owner in the history they possibly modified the spring or strain screw as mentioned above. If not, have you changed brand of primers recently?

Seven High · Mar 18, 2015

My suggestion would be to completely disassemble the weapon, then spray carb. cleaner into it. Scrub it out with a toothbrush and swabs. Relube it and try it again. You probably have dried lubricant in it which slows things down.

theoneff · Mar 18, 2015

fatboy, make extra sure all your primers are fully seated. they ALL should be just flush or below the cup rim. If they are not fully seated the first strike will seat them and the second will make it go bang. You may have to spend time reaming/cleaning pockets. Theo

fatboy02 · May 17, 2015

Update on my firing pin issue. Thoroughly cleaned the gun, took it apart and re-bent the main spring a tad. I am the original owner so nothing has been done to the parts. Re-installed the spring tightening the screw down and the same issue continues. It only mis-fires on double action. Never on single action. Never the same chamber or at least no consistency. Other than its age, for a gun it is barely broke in

. Think my next thought is to replace the main spring. Any thing I should know about buying a spring?

toad67 · May 17, 2015

I wonder what S&W would say about the problem, since you're the original owner anyway.

minconrevo · May 17, 2015

The original mainspring should still be good. The factory mainspring is pretty much overkill for most primers. If you are running something like Wolf primers you may experience problems. Try some ammo with factory seated Federal primers on DA and see if you get 100% ignition.

You might have had marginal excessive headspace from the factory that now is excessive. Too much "rattle" back and forth of the cylinder on the crane will result in FTF.

A couple other things are possible beyond what's been mentioned by the other posters but they have mentioned common things to check first.

Model 19-3 Combat Magnum Firing Pin Problem

fatboy02

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kenjen

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chief38

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series guy

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Retired W4

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Seven High

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theoneff

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fatboy02

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toad67

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minconrevo

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