Frame mounted firing pins?

[ZTatZAU]

Once again, I'm a little late to the show. Having just recently acquired my first Smith revolver, I am happy to have found this site. I've read a lot of your opinions (pro, con & neutral) on the recently introduced Internal Locks and MIM parts.

I'm wondering now about moving firing pins from the hammer to frame in recent years. I've done some searching but have found little on the subject.

Was the move to frame mounted firing pins readily accepted by the Smith Owner community? Or, was there a similar reluctance by some (or many) to accept this departure from the "traditional"?

ZT

 

[snubbiefan]

You always have...those that like and those that don't like this-or-that. Actually, I prefer the FP frame-mounted. It is easier to replace if the need should arise. It's a shame you can't have both (like in a Model 617 for instance) as in forged parts and frame mounted FP. The MIM parts don't bug me very much, but I do stop at the IL.

 

[deanodog]

I also prefer the frame mounted firing pins. I don't mind the MIM parts and the IL does not bother me at all. I am an old man who usually resists most changes but not these. I love the new guns.

 

[ZTatZAU]

Thanks SnubbieFan and Deanodog! I appreciate your thoughts.

I too prefer the frame mounted firing pins. In fact, (rightly or wrongly), when selecting my first magnum revolver many years ago, I chose a Colt over a Smith because of the exposed and seemingly fragile firing pin on the Smith's hammer.

ZT

 

[stiab]

Frame mounted firing pins are fine and dandy in my opinion, and they can prevent this...

...and this, which happened to me personally...

I've never heard anybody complain about the frame mounted firing pins on their Colt Pythons, so I believe most agree that it's OK.

 

[STCM(SW)]

Like posted, Colt has had that for many years. Only S&W before with the frame fireing pin was the .22LR.

 

[Krogen]

Colt Single actions have had hammer-mounted firing pins for a long, long time. I think the hammer-mounted pin has a very slight advantage in cleaning, but that's all.

 

[GCF]

Was the move to frame mounted firing pins readily accepted by the Smith Owner community?

ZT

Personally, FMFP's = no big deal. They are just fine functionally, but don't have the aesthetic appeal of the hammer mount pins.

 

[TSQUARED]

Aesthetically the lock bothers a number of people. As both a collector and shooter the lock does not bother me and I have put more than 10,000 rounds through several S&W with the lock and MIM parts without incident. The older forged hammer and trigger were aesthetically more appealing but the MIM parts do get the job done. One has to rwemeber that S&W has to constantly show improved profit to it's investors and many shooters are unwilling to pay the price for older hand fitted firearms. The frame mounted firing pin I consider aand advantage as it is easilly changed.

 

[stantheman86]

I like the frame mounted pins....they are easy to change and an extended pin is easily dropped in. A new s&w is easy to tune with drop in parts.

 

[brucev]

Change comes slowly because tradition dies hard. The FMFP is a improvement over the HMFP. But it is not what we have all been used to, so there are objections.

 

[Titegroups]

Surprised at the bias of the responders on this thread. I very much prefer the hammer mounted firing pin if for no other reason looks alone. The disappearance of it was the start of the modern MIM parts and lock era which most disdain.

 

[David Sinko]

Funny, I never heard of a shooter with a hammer mounted firing pin saying he needs an extended version... Maybe that's because they got it right the first time?

Dave Sinko

 

[5Wire]

Like posted, Colt has had that for many years. Only S&W before with the frame fireing pin was the .22LR.

Both Model 547s had them.

 

[Graakall]

Can't get a hammermounted fp stuck in a primer on a tuned gun?
( Happend to me on my 610 with a long replacement pin. )

Spent som time to work it loose.