K- Frame Hammer Firing Pin Spring

[wheelgun28]

My friend has a 19-5 that the firing pin spring is broken or missing. The result is the pin is loose in the hammer. If you cock the gun it just flops around. So my questions for the experts are, leave it alone or fix it? To repair it can the pin be removed and a small piece of spring stock be put it, or just buy a new spring. Does it need a new hammer?

TIA
Tom

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

I asked this same question about a year ago on a 19-5
The firing pin even rubbed the top of the hammer window & made a ridge, I was told that S&W had discontinued the use of the spring in the hammer & that all was fine..
The search engine here "Just Doesn't Work" so I couldn't pull up the old thread to lead you to the answers..
Gary/HK

 

[roosterk]

I wonder if it is the same on an N frame. I have a pre 27 with the same problem, and was told it would cause serious problems with the plate where the pin passes through, that primers would leak through and make the gun unsafe to shoot.
Anyone?
roosterk

 

[alwslate]

The Gun Digest book of exploded handgun views shows this spring to
be a feature of N frame guns and not used in the K frames. Why...who
knows.