DARN!! My first ever K frame failure...

[shawn mccarver]

Yeah, S&W had trouble with these hammer mounted non-MIM firing pins on the non-lock guns breaking so much that they had (for LE contract guns only) a retrofit to convert the revolvers to all MIM, with internal lock (there was a drilling template supplied with the parts).

For large agencies with an armorer, the deluxe kit could be ordered, which converted the barrel to the non-pinned type and a tool to remove the recesses from the cylinder charge holes.

This LEM (Law Enforcement Modification) made revolvers so converted so reliable that they never broke, ever.

 

[stiab]

Thanks to Noah and all the other posters for sharing their experiences and wisdom on this subject. Maybe I was indeed overdue, looks like it has happened to lots of other folks, much more than I would have expected.

There were interesting observations made comparing frequency of hammer mounted firing pin failures with IL failures, etc., probably a valid point. Of the many semi-auto failures I have had, all that I can recall except one (2nd Gen. Glock 19 Phase 3 failure) could be cleared fairly easily in the field, and the gun would then still function. Not so with this Model 66 failure.

Thanks again to all responders.