Model 60 Hammer Pin SNAPPED!

[Edmo]

My mid 1980s model 60 (no dash) action had a malfunction after hundreds and hundreds of round fired through it over the years I've owned it.

I took the side plate off and the hammer pin has sheared off from the frame! I'm going to contact S&W in the next day or so, but my question is how involved is the pin replacement? Is this something a competent gunsmith can do or is it a factory repair job?

This is my second S&W revolver issue in four months... Not having good luck with the wheel guns!

Edmo

 

[Tired Gunsmith]

Broken Hammer Stud

We had many revolvers come in the shop with broken hammer studs.
They were not an easy repair.
We had jigs to properly drill the frames for the J, K, and N frame revolvers.
However, that is in the past.
Most 'gunsmiths' today haven't the fixtures for this repair.
Would suggest that your revolver be sent back to S&W.
I have sen a number of revolvers that they have repaired, and they use a system similar to that which we used where the new stud is threaded into the frame, not unlike the pre WW2
revolvers.

 

[tomcatt51]

Broken studs are definitely a "send it to S&W" thing.

 

[Edmo]

Thanks for the info guys...

I'll have to call S&W. I did the online form for return and I got an email back from them saying, "The serial number you provided on our Online Warranty Repair Shipping Form, AEC####, is not recognized as valid in our computer system." We'll see what they say when I call.

At least I have a 642 available if I want to do the J frame thing in the meantime.

Edmo

 

[Edmo]

I talked with S&W Customer Service today and found out why they aren't tracking my gun's serial number...

Apparently, the 1984 model 60 which I own is too old to be covered by S&W's warranty. I will NOT suggest "other" gun makers cover their product regardless of age, especially on an internal part which really shouldn't break. Nope, I'm not suggesting that at all.

There aren't any gunsmiths in my area who will tackle swapping out this pin, so I guess I'll be sending it to S&W.

This should prove to be interesting. More to come...

Edmo

 

[Edmo]

UPDATE

FEDEX has the package and $66 later the little model 60 is on the way back to S&W... First time back since 1984.

After talking with the S&W service rep, he said one of their repair guys has the jigs and skills to replace the pin for me. He also said if it were one of the other J frame models (didn't say which) it would likely be scrap.

I still don't know what could shear the hammer stud off. I guess if you dropped it hard enough onto the hammer, but I don't recall that ever happening.

I've got fingers crossed...

Edmo