Firing Pin Rivets

[GB]

Over the last 40 years or so, I have managed to break 2 or 3 K frame firing pins. Until Smith pretty much stopped making forged internals, I just bought a new hammer and dropped the old one into the parts bin for later repair. New ones weren't all that expensive and changing the firing pin out is (to my way of thinking) a real pain in the rear. Well, the days of easy replacement of the hammer ended a couple of decades ago. I broke the pin on a 10HB a couple of years ago and ended up replacing it with a bobbed hammer that came in a parts kit I bought about ten years ago. Ended up liking it. Made the unit into a really nice DAO gun. So I was looking in my parts box the other day and I find that I have several replacement firing pins but only one rivet. The rivet doesn't seem to be an item that any of the usual suspect carry anymore and I was wondering if anyone has a source?

Thanks in advance! GB

 

[armorer951]

I've got some extra hammer nose rivets. Send me your address in a PM and I'll send you a couple. (free)

 

[chief38]

I believe Power Cutsom still makes and sells them for future reference.

When they were scarce and prior to Power Custom manufacturing them, I got in the habit of removing the old ones very carefully so they can be reused. They are relatively soft and can be re-used at least once if removed carefully. Since there is really no side to side stress on them while in place, I've never had a re-used one fail. If you CAN get a new one (hard to refuse Armorers offer) - probably the way to go!

It helps greatly if you can custom make a rivet forming tool from an old Punch - helps keep them from splitting and not flaring properly


POWER CUSTOM HAMMER NOSE RIVET | Brownells

 

[serger]

Numrich has them:

Hammer Nose Rivet, Blued | Gun Parts Corp.

 

[WR Moore]

I took a small piece of steel plate and made a specially shaped hammer rivet anvil/punch from a drill shank. Drilled a blind hole in the plate, put the anvil in and had a good backer for flaring the rivet. I messed with the hole depth until all I had to do was drop the hammer on the fixture with the anvil on the rivet. You could set it up so that you use a shim under the hammer.

I haven't replaced many, I did the fixture in frustration trying to do the first. Been worth it. Peen both sides with your punch just to make sure.

 

[armorer951]

Wow, I must have cooties or something. Can't even give parts away.

 

[RVRSMITH]

Good man! ����

 

[NYlakesider]

Wow, I must have cooties or something. Can't even give parts away.

A great offer no doubt.

If you can use the word bad here to describe members, its bad that we have so many on here trying to help out their fellow enthusiast.

 

[Marshal Kane]

Armorer951,
Do all S&W hammers use the same rivet?

 

[armorer951]

Yes sir, they do. (K,L,N)

note: J frames rivets are the same diameter, but approx .022" shorter, so the other model rivets (K,L,N) can work in a J frame hammer, but must be shortened prior to installation.

There are different part numbers for blue and stainless variables, but the rivets are dimensionally the same.

 

[GB]

Thanks to all who offered advice and especially armorer951 who offered to make my problem go away!(I haven't check the part of the forum for a couple of days, sorry for the delay in response) I did a little more looking and found two more in the bottom of my Garand parts. So I think I am good for now.


Armorer951: I apologize for not contacting you sooner but I haven't checked the smithing part of the forum for a couple of days (my Bad). Thank you for you kind and generous offer! I posted that a continued search in my parts stash uncovered an additional 2 rivets. Again thank you and my apology for the unintended snub of your generous offer. You and others are what make this forum a great place to hang out! Glen Bowers