Need help from the forum on non-firing new pistol

[JackD]

Purchased a brand new S&W model 438, with crimson trace laser grips from the factory, at a gun show on 1/17/15. Gun was purchased for my wife as carry protection. We took it to the range on 1/24/15 for the first practice shots. Bought Winchester, 130 grain, FMJ, to shoot. Out of the first 15 shots 4 did not discharge. The cartridges that discharged had very noticeable primer hits. The cartridges that did not discharge had very noticeable light primer hits. We had the range officer take a few shots and he experienced the same. We tried shooting a couple of the light primer hit cartridges and could only get one to fire. We like the feel of this gun and hope to find the problem. What steps should I take to get a resolution?

 

[kaaskop49]

Jack, any chance the ammo could be at fault? Before sending the gun back, I would try a different brand of ammunition and see if the problem continued. And purchase that new ammunition at a different store, if at all possible. I have known individuals to substitute handloads and package them in factory boxes. Not pointing fingers, but this can and does happen, especially at gun shows. Keep us in the loop.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[howiema]

First of all I would try another brand of ammunition, from what I have experienced winchester could have some hard primers although it is no excuse for an FTF. If that doesnt work send it back.

Pete

Sorry Kaaskop was typing at the same time.

 

[JackD]

The Winchester ammo was purchased at Wal-Mart the day we went to shoot. I'll try another brand and see what happens.

 

[VictorLouis]

If that's truly an 'old' 438, then that's an awful lot of time for a gun to 'sit' since its manufacture. Very easy to imagine than any factory lube/s which may have been applied could very easily be all hardened or laquered up inside the firing-pin channel, around the spring, etc. This would rob the hammer of some of it's energy.

If ammo swapping doesn't work, that's what I would suspect next. I wouldn't go using a blast of carb-cleaner, or the like, either. I think the spring cups for the pin-safety and mag disconnect both were plastic. A proper disassembly and cleaning of the gun would be in order.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Since it's an 5-shot Airweight J-frame with some kind of black finish I wouldn't use Carb Cleaner, as it could really mess up the finish. The M438 was never super popular, but S&W was still making them at least as recently as 2010.

If you comfortable with taking the side plate off, go in and clean it out with a light displacing oil like WD-40 and an old tooth brush. Go to town, scrub it out good. Then lubricate lightly with a proper gun oil and see if the problem is fixed.

Otherwise, it's a free trip back to the Mother Ship for warranty work. They'll probably turn it around in 2 or 3 weeks.

 

[amazingflapjack]

I like brake parts cleaner.