Smith & Wesson Forum

Advertise With Us Search
Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Ammunition-Gunsmithing > S&W-Smithing

S&W-Smithing Maintenance, Repair, and Enhancement of Smith & Wesson and Other Firearms.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-04-2024, 03:31 PM
jtcarm's Avatar
jtcarm jtcarm is offline
Member
Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins  
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,397
Likes: 1,565
Liked 4,290 Times in 1,814 Posts
Default Extended revolver firing pins

I already have an Apex pin installed in my 66-7.

I tried installing the Wolf Type 1 spring kit (or whichever one is “duty” rated.)

I like the trigger pull, but it is not completely reliable with magnum primers. About 17% fail to ignite when shooting double action, even after double-seating the primers. This holds true with factory magnums as well.

Is there a firing pin that’s maybe a hairs-breadth longer than the Apex?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 05-04-2024, 03:49 PM
robertrwalsh robertrwalsh is offline
SWCA Member
Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins  
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Peoples Republic of Calif
Posts: 4,692
Likes: 1,248
Liked 6,142 Times in 2,185 Posts
Default

I know Powers Custom makes long firing pins for "hammer nose" firing systems. I don't know about frame mounted firing pins. I think maybe TDK does.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-04-2024, 06:35 PM
Protocall_Design Protocall_Design is offline
Vendor
Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Kansas City area
Posts: 6,263
Likes: 56,256
Liked 13,876 Times in 4,352 Posts
Default

I like the Power Custom firing pins for both old and new systems. If the current firing pin is over .495, a longer one won't help any unless you have excessive headspace (not too common). You need more spring power. I would try a Wilson mainspring. Those give the best combination of hard hit and light trigger pull of all the aftermarket ones.
__________________
protocalldesign.com
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #4  
Old 05-04-2024, 08:40 PM
walter o walter o is offline
Member
Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins  
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Hammond in U.S.A.
Posts: 2,104
Likes: 1,376
Liked 4,036 Times in 965 Posts
Default

I like wolf springs for the most partbut the ribbed main spring usually needs a longer tension screw .other main springs are flat(no rib)and work with original tension screw. your tension screw is probably setting in the rib of the wolf spring.
__________________
age is just a number
Reply With Quote
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
  #5  
Old 05-05-2024, 08:22 AM
jtcarm's Avatar
jtcarm jtcarm is offline
Member
Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins  
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,397
Likes: 1,565
Liked 4,290 Times in 1,814 Posts
Default

Thanks.

I ordered a pin and extended strain screw from TK.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 05-05-2024, 11:32 AM
steelslaver's Avatar
steelslaver steelslaver is offline
US Veteran
Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins  
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Central Montana
Posts: 13,861
Likes: 13,152
Liked 40,139 Times in 10,194 Posts
Default

I have always used a stock mainspring and adjusted the tension screws length so that when tight it is 100% reliable. I used to get all into polishing and smoothing the spring.

Back off the factory screw until you get miss fires, turn it in 1/4 turn at a time until you have none. Turn it in until tight counting the number of 1/2 turns until tight tight. Measure screws length and then take away .016 per 1/2 turn. Leave 1/2 turn of length. You can always file off more, you can't add any. You can buy all the blue or stainless 8-32 screws with the correct head from an Ace Hardware that has the gun screw trays.

Last edited by steelslaver; 05-05-2024 at 11:39 AM.
Reply With Quote
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
  #7  
Old 05-05-2024, 01:41 PM
shawn mccarver shawn mccarver is offline
SWCA Member
Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins  
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,798
Likes: 3,566
Liked 6,823 Times in 2,658 Posts
Default

Best choice is to use the real S&W mainspring and the real S&W firing pin. Tighten the strain screw all the way down. If you still get misfires, send it back to S&W to check for out-of-spec headspace. Get rid of all aftermarket parts.
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
  #8  
Old 05-05-2024, 01:56 PM
SnidelyWhiplash SnidelyWhiplash is offline
Member
Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins  
Join Date: Nov 2022
Location: Arizona
Posts: 1,673
Likes: 91
Liked 5,893 Times in 1,364 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by steelslaver View Post
I have always used a stock mainspring and adjusted the tension screws length so that when tight it is 100% reliable. I used to get all into polishing and smoothing the spring.
This is the way! That is the proper way to do it. When I attended Smith Armorers School we were taught that. No new parts necessary.
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #9  
Old 05-09-2024, 11:13 PM
Bullseye Smith's Avatar
Bullseye Smith Bullseye Smith is offline
Member
Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mountain State
Posts: 3,608
Likes: 110
Liked 391 Times in 158 Posts
Default

Cheap Ammo wont fire all the time with the springs and firing pin combo. If you shoot Federal primers you won't have any problems. I have a 686 with a 3.5 pound double action trigger pull and it fires every round. Hope this helps.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 05-11-2024, 03:21 PM
jtcarm's Avatar
jtcarm jtcarm is offline
Member
Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins  
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,397
Likes: 1,565
Liked 4,290 Times in 1,814 Posts
Default

FWIW, the TKC pin is shorter than the Apex that’s already in it.

I have a factory spring that I bent very slightly, but it’s not balanced, it has a catch about midway through.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 05-12-2024, 02:28 PM
jtcarm's Avatar
jtcarm jtcarm is offline
Member
Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins Extended revolver firing pins  
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,397
Likes: 1,565
Liked 4,290 Times in 1,814 Posts
Default

Update: I installed a slightly slimmed-down MS and switched back to the original strain screw.

Pull weight averaged 10lbs.

Backed out the screw 1/2 turn and it dropped to an even 9 lbs (my Timney gauge isn’t digital and has 1/4 lb graduations)

I realized the roughness was from the weaker Wolf rebound spring. All is smooth following the adjustment.

Range test coming.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
Reply


Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Extended firing pins, are they all the same? Wilson Custom Guns S&W-Smithing 7 07-22-2023 04:58 PM
Are all late model S&W revolver firing pins interchangeable 8shot S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 7 08-19-2022 04:12 PM
Extended firing pins bad? olympicmotors S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 9 10-27-2020 01:38 PM
extended firing pins for J frame Louie S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 5 11-03-2012 05:46 PM
Source for extended firing pins Seven For Sure S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 8 09-24-2008 11:54 AM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:01 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)