637-2 sticky firing pin syndrome

[jcat]

Hey all,

Been a member for a while but haven't been on since I sold my M&P years ago. Today I picked up a brand spankin' new 637-2 wyatt deep cover, and I absolutely love it...except for this one issue I'm having.

I dry fired it a couple times a few minutes ago and noticed that the firing pin was sticking forward, and wouldn't return. I was able to get it to return by pushing back on it with some decent force, but I know this isn't right.

I've had the gun apart already, cleaned and lubed it all up and cannot figure out what is going on with it. Here's what I tried:

1.) Firing pin retention pin out, firing pin and firing pin spring in. Pin moves freely unless pressed with more force and further into the channel where it gets stuck. This is remedied by putting a bit of pressure on the front of the pin, which sends the pin back.

2.) Firing pin in, retention pin in, spring out. Pin seems to move freely. However, when pointing the barrel down the pin drops into where I can see it inside the frame as if it was being fired, but turning it muzzle up the pin does not fall freely back into position.

3.) All together, dry firing, pin sticks and requires significant force to send back.

I don't see any rubbing marks on the pin or the retention pin, although it's a snug fit to get the firing pin into the channel. The retention pin slips in and out with little to no effort. The spring is not bent or broken, and appears to seat pretty well on the face of the firing pin.

Is there a possibility there's a burr or something inside the firing pin channel that's binding me up? Or should I look elsewhere? I'd hate to have to send it in as I plan on carrying it but if that's what it takes, I guess I'll have no choice.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

 

[hotrod150]

A brand new warranteed gun? That's a no brainer-- send her back. I'm sure you dont want to though, having just got it.

 

[jcat]

A brand new warranteed gun? That's a no brainer-- send her back. I'm sure you dont want to though, having just got it.

Yeah that's the part I'm bummed about. Literally had it for an hour before discovering the problem and I was planning on starting to carry it right away. Shakes my confidence in the piece as well.

 

[hotrod150]

FWIW I've handled one of those "wyatt" 637's and liked it. I can do without the BS wyatt/gunsmoke embellishments though. I think S&W must have made quite a few of these- I saw one in the case at a small local gun shop not long ago, and saw another one yesterday in the even-smaller gun department at a local Ace Hardware.
Speaking of which, how many hardware stores still have gun departments? That used to be pretty commonplace, at least in rural areas-- unfortunately now it's pretty darned unusal.

 

[jcat]

FWIW I've handled one of those "wyatt" 637's and liked it. I can do without the BS wyatt/gunsmoke embellishments though. I think S&W must have made quite a few of these- I saw one in the case at a small local gun shop not long ago, and saw another one yesterday in the even-smaller gun department at a local Ace Hardware.
Speaking of which, how many hardware stores still have gun departments? That used to be pretty commonplace, at least in rural areas-- unfortunately now it's pretty darned unusal.

Yeah I bought it more because of what it is rather than what's written on it. The gun smoke logo looks to be painted or screened on so might be removable, the 'Wyatt deep cover' seems the same. It has a really sweet trigger although I suppose an apex kit on any j frame would be the same. Ill have to try and look up production numbers. Shame it's probably gonna get canned soon with the issues wyatt is having it may turn into a collectible.

I haven't seen a gun section in a hardware store in my 24?63-4/ of life this far haha.

 

[kaaskop49]

attn: jcat

Hey jcat! Picked up my 'wyatt' a week ago. Like it just fine. No problems with 100+ rounds of ball/burn-up ammo and several types of +P. It shoots MOPP (Minute-Of-Pie-Plate) like all my Js.

Only possible problem, the rebound spring seems weaker than that on 'regular' J frames; it doesn't push the trigger forward with the same 'oomph.' Maybe the PC installed a weaker spring to improve the trigger pull. Will get this changed out ASAP.

 

[jcat]

Hey jcat! Picked up my 'wyatt' a week ago. Like it just fine. No problems with 100+ rounds of ball/burn-up ammo and several types of +P. It shoots MOPP (Minute-Of-Pie-Plate) like all my Js.

Only possible problem, the rebound spring seems weaker than that on 'regular' J frames; it doesn't push the trigger forward with the same 'oomph.' Maybe the PC installed a weaker spring to improve the trigger pull. Will get this changed out ASAP.

See that's odd, I find the rebound spring to be pretty adequate. I don't think that would have much effect on the trigger pull so much as the mainspring does.

I called S&W today and they had me fill out the online warranty form. Anyone have any experience with how long it'll take before I get a shipping label? I'd love to be able to send the thing out on my lunch break today to get the ball rolling.

 

[hotrod150]

I wonder if removing the firing pin and lightly polsihing it with some fine emory cloth might not cure that stickiness. Immaterial if you've already sent it back though.

 

[jcat]

I wonder if removing the firing pin and lightly polsihing it with some fine emory cloth might not cure that stickiness. Immaterial if you've already sent it back though.

I don't think it's the firing pin itself, I think it's actually the channel that it rides in. I noticed some of the machining on the frame didn't really look 100% once I got the side plate off to check it out and clean it, so I'm wondering if it's maybe just machined too tight or burred toward the end. Like I said, it runs fine if you lightly push on it, but once you push it past 80% of it's travel it sticks.

Either way, brand new gun, it's their problem. I'm waiting for the label email now.

 

[jcat]

Well she got to S&W today as confirmed by fedex, signed for by a J.Audette.

Now we wait.

 

[jcat]

shipping notification today that I should be receiving the gun Monday if all goes well maybe even sooner...emailed Fedex to figure out why, on it's way from Springfield, MA back down to me in RI, the tracking info shows it apparently went to Memphis, TN??? Who knows. I'll call and hopefully see what all they did to it.

 

[jcat]

called smith today, warranty repair shows they replaced the firing pin. No wonder the turnaround was so quick. Ah well, with any luck she'll be back in my hands and ready to carry on Monday!