Firing pin differences between "new gen" revolvers

[stantheman86]

Kind of an odd question but figured I would ask........

I have a 64-7 that has a rounded firing pin that protrudes farther out through the bushing hole, than my 64-8 or 10-14. Both my 64-8 and 10-14 have a shorter, more pointed pin that does not protrude as far. The 64-7 was made in about 2003 or so, the 10-14 seems to be from the same time period.

Did S&W change the style of the firing pins over the years, for the pin in frame revolvers?

I also have a 10-14 that I installed a C&S extended firing pin in, and it is not the same as the pin in the 64-7.

 

[scooter123]

S&W has been "fiddling" with the firing pin length somewhat recently. I have a 2008 620 and a 2009 610 and the factory firing pins in both guns measured at 0.480 +/- 0.003 inch for overall length. With my 2011 vintage 625 the firing pin measured at 0.492 inch for overall length and I've seen some reports that the specification is now 0.495 inch. Basically, in my small sampling they've increased the overall length by 0.015 inch. Can't really comment specifically on the specification for your earlier revolvers but I suspect that if you pull them they'll check around 0.480 inch.

I'll also point out that HOW you are checking the protrusion may be the reason why you're seeing a variation. The firing pin rely's partially in inertia to do it's work, so it can protrude a bit farther than the hammer can mechanically position it. I would suggest that you cock your revolvers and push the firing pin fully forward using a toothpick of something similar. If you do that you may find that they are much closer to being equal. If so, the cause for the difference you are seeing is likely due to variations in how the recess for the hammer was machined.

 

[allglock]

The "new" pins are titanium, and are shorter than the "old" pins which are stainless or carbon steel. The old pins are magnetic and the new ones are not. I bought as many "old" ones as I could, to install in any new S&Ws I buy. I had heard that the new ones were being made to a longer spec.... so I ordered one, and it wasnt longer.....