929 light strikes

[Losi b]

For some reason the search function will not work for me today so I will ask this question and in a thread. I bought a brand new 929. I cleaned and lubed the gun prior to shooting it. I am getting light primer strikes with five different types of ammo. I am not a reloader so these are all Factory ammo, Blazer Brass, Federal, Freedom and 2 other brands. I have checked the main spring screw for tightness. ( I am new to revolvers so I'm not positive on the terminology) In my research I found that most people experiencing this problem change the firing pin to a longer pin. Before I order a longer firing pin is there anything else I should check?

 

[Ignatz]

Sorry to ask, but are you using moonclips?

 

[shawn mccarver]

In any gun, light strikes should not be the norm, and on a brand new gun, I am sorry to say that this revolver should go back to S&W.

Assuming you have screwed the mainspring strain screw right down to its seat, then you more than likely have a headspace issue or some other issue that is not right.

I am not sure of after market firing pins, but the S&W performance center firing pin is not exactly longer. It has a slightly longer channel, allowing it to travel further before it meets the end of its travel.

I wish to stress that in a brand new revolver, the chances are high that you have a headspace issue. Send it back to S&W with a note describing the problem just as you did in Post 1, and ask for their Performance Center firing pin after they check everything else out to make sure your revolver is in spec.

It is depressing to see thread after thread regarding light strikes from brand new guns. It is not exactly confidence inspiring.

Oh, if you call, they will email you a shipping label so you are not paying the shipping either way.

I suggest you NOT use email to contact them, as many folks are not happy with the seemingly intolerable delays before emails get answered.

Good luck.

 

[Pizza Bob]

Perhaps a moon clip problem. Thickness of the clip and its fit to the case affect headspace. Check out TK Custom's website.

Good luck.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[Losi b]

Sorry to ask, but are you using moonclips?

Yes sir and may I add that moon clips are tough to work with. I understand that there are tools to help with loading and unloading. Could I ask for some suggestions on where to buy the tools and quality makes and models please?

 

[Pizza Bob]

Don't even bother looking at anything else: Buy a BMT and never look back.

BMT Equipped, Inc.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[Losi b]

In any gun, light strikes should not be the norm, and on a brand new gun, I am sorry to say that this revolver should go back to S&W.

Assuming you have screwed the mainspring strain screw right down to its seat, then you more than likely have a headspace issue or some other issue that is not right.

I am not sure of after market firing pins, but the S&W performance center firing pin is not exactly longer. It has a slightly longer channel, allowing it to travel further before it meets the end of its travel.

I wish to stress that in a brand new revolver, the chances are high that you have a headspace issue. Send it back to S&W with a note describing the problem just as you did in Post 1, and ask for their Performance Center firing pin after they check everything else out to make sure your revolver is in spec.

It is depressing to see thread after thread regarding light strikes from brand new guns. It is not exactly confidence inspiring.

Oh, if you call, they will email you a shipping label so you are not paying the shipping either way.

I suggest you NOT use email to contact them, as many folks are not happy with the seemingly intolerable delays before emails get answered.

Good luck.

Thank you sir. I had planned on calling them on Monday but I figured I should ask for some guidance here first.

Also, figured that with this being a Performance Center gun, I thought that the trigger would be much smoother than it is.

 

[Ignatz]

Yes, it needs to go back. Hopefully they will go over everything perfect.

 

[Losi b]

Perhaps a moon clip problem. Thickness of the clip and its fit to the case affect headspace. Check out TK Custom's website.

Good luck.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

I used all 3 moon clips that S&W supplied with the gun.
I'll take a look a TK Custom for more of them.

 

[AzShooter]

TK is very good. For another location try RevolverSupply.COM You can buy 50 moons for $85 and they are .035 thick. Very reliable. They also make a pocket moon tool for $35 and an advance one for $65. They have the moon extraction tools too.

 

[Losi b]

TK is very good. For another location try RevolverSupply.COM You can buy 50 moons for $85 and they are .035 thick. Very reliable. They also make a pocket moon tool for $35 and an advance one for $65. They have the moon extraction tools too.

Thank you sir. I'll look there too. I don't see specifications for moon clip thickness in the owners manual. Are there various thickness moon clips and if yes, what thickness do I need.

I'm sorry for so many questions and thank you all for all of your answers.

 

[Pizza Bob]

Thank you sir. I'll look there too. I don't see specifications for moon clip thickness in the owners manual. Are there various thickness moon clips and if yes, what thickness do I need

It depends on what brand brass you are using. The clip manufacturer can help you with that. TK, for instance, tells you what brand works best with what thickness clip.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[AzShooter]

Moon clips come in thicknesses from .020 to .040. The most reliable for a really light action are the .040s. I have trouble loading them even with most of the tools available. Getting the brass out is another story itself.

The .020 and .025 moons are the cheapest made. Very thin and flimsy. They don't hold the brass tight and don't add to the possibility of a fast reload when needed.

 

[rbmorse]

TK was the OEM for the clips that S&W put in the box with my model 986. .035. Would have been nice if they could have added a handful more as it went out the door. Alas.

The TK stainless clips are expensive, but they don't bend or break.

Will second the recommendation for the BMT Mooner. S&W ought to put one of them in the box with the gun, too.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

I am not sure of after market firing pins, but the S&W performance center firing pin is not exactly longer. It has a slightly longer channel, allowing it to travel further before it meets the end of its travel.

I thought this initially too but last time I had light strikes I tried widening the firing pin's notch (which it's retaining pin is in) on it.

It does allow more free movement/travel forward, after widening, but made no difference with the light strike since the F/P's overall length is unchanged & still too short (.486").

The firing pin still stops short of it's maximum forward limit/travel once it hits the primer because the hammer can't push it any farther forward past where the hammer hits the frame & the rear of the F/P.

Installing a longer F/P (~.500") is what fixed it. The last Apex XP F/P I got was long (.500") but had a pointed nose. The broad nose I previously got from them worked better.

The C&S extra length F/P is .510" long, has the broad rounded nose & worked better than the pointed APEX. It basically looks like the round nose APEX used to. Don't know why APEX changed them as they never replied to my emails.

Some factory S&W firing pins run .485"-.490" long & are the ones likely to cause a problem. Their others run .495"-.499" & have been fine for me. The two factory S&W F/Ps I just ordered from MidwayUSA were .498" long.

Sure wish S&W would go thru their parts bin & throw out all the .486" F/Ps & stop installing them in new guns.

.

.

 

[Losi b]

I called S&W customer service this morning. The cs rep was very helpful and recommended that I send the gun to them. I received an email immediately and dropped it off at Fed Ex soon after.
Thank you all for the tips and helpful replies. I'll be placing an order for the extras needed to run this revolver soon.
I really appreciate everyone's help.