Frame mounted firing pins on L-frames

[strangelittleman]

I was recently shooting my 686+ Mtn Gun when the firing pin broke....I know I could send it to S&W to repair, but I was curious, How difficult is it to replace on one's own? does one need any special tools or is it a simple straight forward job?

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

It's not hard. It helps to have a set of correct hollow-ground screw drivers, and a rebound-spring tool can be extremely useful - but not absolutely necessary. There are some Youtube videos that show you how to disassemble a S&W revolver. The guns are all about the same. There are also a number of very good web sites with step-by-step photos showing how to do it. Let me know and I can give you some links.

 

[scooter123]

For the firing pin all you have to do is remove the sideplate and then lift out the Firing Pin Retainer Pin with some tweezers. The the firing pin can be tipped out of the frame recess or pushed out with a small drill bit.

Removing the side plate also requires a bit of a "trick". You do NOT try and pry it loose but instead "vibrate" it out of the frame recess by tapping on the frame with a wooden hammer handle or rod. It's actually a bit of magic the first time you do it and see the sideplate rise up when all you are doing is tapping on the grip frame.

There is also a bit of a trick to getting the sideplate back in place with the hammer block in the correct position. I would suggest getting on youtube and looking for a video on how to do this because it will save an hour or two of trying to figure it out on your own.

 

[theoneff]

Are all frame mounted firing pins the same or are the different for each frame size.