NG329 FTF Problem With .44 Special

[conchmariner]

I had some FTF problems with CCI Blazer 200 grain .44 Special rounds today, but none whatsoever with the CCI Blazer .44 Magnum. The .44 Special rounds fired fine in my NG396, so the ammo didn't seem to be the problem. I've fired Hornady 180 grain .44 Special ammo through the 329 without problems FWIW.

Anybody have any ideas? Thanks.

[conchmariner]

I had some FTF problems with CCI Blazer 200 grain .44 Special rounds today, but none whatsoever with the CCI Blazer .44 Magnum. The .44 Special rounds fired fine in my NG396, so the ammo didn't seem to be the problem. I've fired Hornady 180 grain .44 Special ammo through the 329 without problems FWIW.

Anybody have any ideas? Thanks.

[44forever]

CCI primers have a reputation for being "hard" so if the hammer spring tension is marginal it might explain the problem. Did the firing pin indentation seem light?

[Dale53]

It is difficult to diagnose a revolver long distance.

However, a simple change to a C&S firing pin might be a good solution (and rather inexpensive). It would sure be worth a try.

Just a thought...

Dale53

[Drail]

You could either correct/modify/repair the gun so it will fire any brand of primers/ammunition or modify the ammunition. I really do like the 200 gr Gold Dot bullet and while I have never had a failure to ignite with the Blazer ammunition I pulled the bullets and powder and loaded them into Federal cases with Federal primers. I have considerably more faith in the ammo now. And yes my Smiths have had trigger work done on them. I have seen far too many cases of some guns not being reliable with CCI primers. If you do not reload perhaps you know somebody who does. Bottom line - if it's not 100% reliable don't carry it. Just something for you to think about.

[ENH]

I had allot of FTF with my 396NG as have others here. S&W will send a shipping label and replace your firing pin. This may or may not solve the problem.

I replaced mine with a C&S long pin and it now shoots everything. I have 400+ rounds through it now with no more FTF's.

There is someone here on the forum that sells an aftermarket pin also I believe.

[conchmariner]

Thanks guys. A local gunsmith I talked to thought it might be the CCI primers, but again these rounds had no problem in the 396, just the 329, and the hammer spring tension in both guns is fine. I had no problem with the .44 Magnum Blazers in the 329. I may indeed have to investigate replacing the firing pin if I have similar problems with other .44 Special rounds (so far I haven't) in the 329. Again I really appreciate all your thoughts/suggestions.

[Stainz]

I have been using GA Arms G44SC, $27/50, which has the same #4427 200gr Gold Dot loaded in new Starline brass, for years. I quit buying the Blazer Al-cased version after one split in my 696. All of my 'fun' .44s, both a 4" and 6" 629 and a 3" 696, have lighter Wolff hammer springs - my CCW 296 has full power. All of my homebrew ammo is Federal-primed. The GA Arms G44SC fires 100% - just like my homebrews - in everything! I keep loaded speedloaders for all of my revolvers - the .44s all have the GA Arms ammo. Also, it is a bit cheaper than the local discount house's Blazers - and you get nice reloadable brass, too.

Stainz

[Dale53]

I may indeed have to investigate replacing the firing pin if I have similar problems with other .44 Special rounds (so far I haven't) in the 329.

I might suggest that if one brand of ammo gives problems in your 329 and NOT in your other revolvers that is a "tell". The "tell" is that your 329 is marginal regarding reliability. The next step I would take is to replace the firing pin and see if that increases the reliability with CCI Blazer. If it does that means you HAVE improved a marginal situation. THAT is worthwwhile, in any case.

Just a thought...

Dale53

[Paul105]

The gun should fire all factory ammo all the time. Send it back to S&W for a new firing pin. If that doesn't fix it, keep sending it back until it works everytime. Call S&W and they will tell you how to ship it back and they will pick up the tab.

I drove myself and my gunsmith nuts trying after market solutions on my 329. Finally just sent it to S&W. Now it works fine with all ammo.

FWIW,

Paul

[shawn mccarver]

Originally posted by conchmariner:
I had some FTF problems with CCI Blazer 200 grain .44 Special rounds today, but none whatsoever with the CCI Blazer .44 Magnum. The .44 Special rounds fired fine in my NG396, so the ammo didn't seem to be the problem. I've fired Hornady 180 grain .44 Special ammo through the 329 without problems FWIW.

Anybody have any ideas? Thanks.

Often, it is more complicated than just a firing pin with a longer travel, as FTFs can be the result of a tolerance stack up which is the result of a little end shake, a little too much headspace and just a little too much of this and that all adds up to a couple thousandths, which makes the difference. Send it to S&W and let them check everything.

[conchmariner]

I've had both a gunsmith and NRA instructor tell me that it is a sad fact that some guns just don't like some ammunition, and that CCI primers can be suspect. I'll be back at the range this week using different .44 Special rounds. I've fired about 150 rounds through this gun so far, 70 of which were .44 Magnum (Hornady 300 grain JHP and CCI Blazer 240 grain) with no FTF. The rest were .44 Special with one FTF with Magtech 240 grain cowboy action (and 49 successful firings), 20 Hornady 180 grain JHP with no FTF, and 10 CCI Blazer 200 grain, almost all of which were FTF (and those all fired successfully in the NG396).

[conchmariner]

Went to the range today and fired 30 rounds through the NG329. 6 were 240 grain Magtech .44 Magnum which hurt like heck, but fired successfully. Then 18 rounds of Remington 246 grain LRN .44 Special with no FTF, and 6 rounds of Hornady 180 grain JHP/XTP with no FTF. So perhaps it is indeed the CCI Blazer .44 Special that is the problem in this gun.

[Paul105]

I don't think you bought the 329 NG as a range gun -- I'm guessing you bought it for personal protection. My opinion (and that's all it is) is that there is something wrong with your gun. If you are satified that it is ok and are willing to bet your life on it then that's your perogative. However, first read the following post I made almost 2 years ago on a different forum.


"I’m on my second 329 PD, a replacement for the first one which self destructed. I‘ve become totally addicted to these guns. I live in SW Montana, and am out in the woods either with my dog, hunting, or both five plus days a week. The 329 is my primary carry gun when woods bumming. I also have a range close by, so I get to shoot 5 or 6 days a week, weather permitting. During or at the end of each range session, I’ll run at least two cylinders full of 240/250gr at 1,200 fps +- to maintain proficiency with the 329. The Hoque 500s allow me to do this with little or no discomfort. The Hoque’s are rather bulky and not really conducive to concealed carry, but they work for me where comfort and portability are the more important factors.

I think “Murphy” is stalking me, as I’ve had some problems with the “replacement 329”. First, the lock malfunctioned, locking the gun up – I know, I know, another lock story but, it really happened and once removed, has never happened again. Second, I started getting some light firing pin hits. I checked the strain screw, and it was tight. Rather than sending it back to S&W, I had a local smith check it out. He diagnosed “end shake” and the appropriate shim was installed. Worked for 30 rounds or so – misfires (light firing pin hits) cropped up again. Back to the gunsmith. He fixed something else – back to the range – 50 rounds fired and no problems. Took it out the next day, and after a couple of cyls full, more misfires. Took it out again this morning – fired 13 rounds and misfires started in – let it cool down – It fired six rounds no problem and started misfiring again. The firing pin protrusion thru the fame appears to be marginal. It seems that as the gun heats up during firing (temps been 25 to 35 deg F), the dimensions change just enough (along with the marginal firing pin protrusion) to cause very light firing pin hits. I ordered a Cyl & Slide Shop “Long Firing Pin”, and I had my gunsmith install it. This solved the ignition problems (fired every time with great firing pin hits), however, the gun now locks up after two or 3 rounds. The firing pin sticks in the forward position after the round had fired, and can only be reset by tapping a bronze rod thru the barrel and fired case against the primer/firing pin. The after market “long firing pin” has been turned/polished on three separate occasions and still sticks as mentioned above."

This gun was finally sent back to S&W who fixed the ignition problem.

I didn't make this post because I want to be right, but because I think that you might be disappointed if you need your gun and it doesn't work. If a gun has been tuned for competion, it might not function with certain ammunition. Some .22s can be ammo sensitve. However, I would not carry a big bore factory revolver that I was relying on for personal protection that would not function all the time with all factory ammunition.

Sincerely,

Paul

Paul

[conchmariner]

Thank you for that post Paul, and you did indeed nail it. If the problem crops up again I will send the gun back to S&W. I'd rather go that route than try different after market solutions. Thanks again.