New 360 light strikes - fail to fire

[bbauman]

First time shooting a brand new M&P 360 and some rounds do not go off. Factory rounds I had 2 that went click.

Reloaded .357mag rounds with WSP (Winchester Small Pistol) primers had a very high failure rate, 2 were hit at least 3 times and still won't go off.

Dimples are very slight compared to other guns, even on fired rounds.

Searching it appears this is probably either a trip to S&W for a couple weeks or buying an extended length firing pin. Is this a correct assumption?

Gun is brand new, factory springs.

I have the side plate off, internals are dry as a bone but I'm assuming lubing them will not help. Correct?

 

[rburg]

Try the lube, but I wouldn't be happy if I were you. Yes, you probably have a defective gun. Lets blame the lock.

Its interesting how a gun with a short firing pin can pass QC. If they bother.

Just out of general interest.....look in the envelope under the foam. It'll have your factory fired case. How's that firing pin strike look compared to your results?

 

[bbauman]

Just out of general interest.....look in the envelope under the foam. It'll have your factory fired case. How's that firing pin strike look compared to your results?

Left is the factory fired brass, middle is my fired 357, right is struck 3 times and failed to fire.

So if you have to send it back to S&W do they slick up action or do anything nice for you?

I'm seriously considering getting the extended firing pin so I know my reloads will fire every time and not just factory ammo.

 

[Nframe357]

Sounds like you are going to need a new firing pin not the commiefornia drop test pin that S&W in all it's wisdom keeps putting into ALL new revolvers. I'm sorry but new made Smiths are just junk in my eyes, how many posts have we seen here about this same problem?? Doesn't anyone at S&W come to this site and see what's happening with their product?

 

[davidmcw]

Light Strike

Same thing happened with my new Model 438. Sent it back to S&W. They replaced firing pin and repaired the yoke. Goes bang every time now. (approx. 500 rounds)

 

[pinkymingeo]

I would send it back to S&W. Ask if they can eMail you a label to save time. While they're fixing it, order a new Apex pin. Factory turnaround is usually pretty fast, maybe less than 2 weeks. When the gun is back, put the Apex in and don't worry about it.

 

[bbauman]

I would send it back to S&W. Ask if they can eMail you a label to save time. While they're fixing it, order a new Apex pin. Factory turnaround is usually pretty fast, maybe less than 2 weeks. When the gun is back, put the Apex in and don't worry about it.

What is Apex? I just ordered a Cylinder and Slide extended firing pin from Brownells. Is there something better about the Apex one?

I'm curious, if I have to replace the firing pin anyway why would I send it to S&W?

 

[davemercer]

I just sent a new 442 back to Smith because of light primer strikes. It always went off but some strikes very faint and surprised they went off. Repeated hits with hammer did not deepen strikes so I think firing pin length, not weak spring. It is no lock by the way- Smith has made a run of no locks recently in 642 and 442.

No problem getting mailer. CS guy immediately said we need to look at and offered to send mailer. Got mailer via email the next day for FEDEX.

Bit of advise - Don't mention you use reloads. They will blame it on that and any other problems you have.

I want to keep my warranty so hope Smith can repair. But interested in how hard it is to replace firing pin. I assume take off side plate, remove hammer and tap out roll pin holding hammer. Sounds easy, but is it easy? Again I like having warranty esp with Smith paying postage as it is expensive to ship air.

 

[Spotteddog]

Well once again?
It would appear that size (in this case length) really DOES matter!
This is the how many dozenth story like this, now?

 

[CTM]

Wow, I just took my new 442 "no lock" to the range today. Shot 50 rounds of reloaded range ammo, 50 rounds of WWB, and 50 rounds of Fiocchi, or something like that (cheap stuff the LGS had). NO problems whatsoever...I love this little gun.

Came home and took the side plate off, it was very clean inside, and very well lubricated (lightly oiled everywhere). I wonder how they can have such differing QC on different copies of the same gun.

I didn't check for light strikes, but I did save most of the brass so I will check later.

 

[Gearhead Jim]

What is Apex? I just ordered a Cylinder and Slide extended firing pin from Brownells. Is there something better about the Apex one?

I'm curious, if I have to replace the firing pin anyway why would I send it to S&W?

People have posted here that the C&S firing pins are more prone to breakage than S&W, especially if you dry fire.
No personal experience.
I would prefer to keep S&W parts in the gun and have them fix it properly.

 

[bbauman]

Thanks for the help folks. C&S extended firing pin arrived. The gun fires every time now with factory and reloads.

While I had the side plate off I did an action job, my first. A lot of old threads on this site and others helped make it easy. The trigger is much smoother now.

Sadly I did do a stupid thing. The lanyard pin and the firing pin retaining pin are the same diameter and color and they got switched around. Funny, the lanyard pin is exactly the same depth as the firing pin hole. DRAT! I've tried about everything, it just isn't coming out. There must be a little oil in the hole holding it in.

air, suction, sticky things have all been tried, it isn't magnetic. If I can find a dental pick with a wire end maybe I can get into the hole and push it up that way. At least the gun works now.

 

[Dale53]

davemercer;
It is EASY to replace the firing pin with an Apex or Cylinder&Slide "extra length" firing pin.

Remove the side plate, the retaining pin sticks above the surface and is a slip fit. Just lift the retaining pin out, and remove the firing pin and replace (if you are using a Cylinder & Slide Pin). If you are using an Apex pin, remove the firing pin AND the firing pin spring and replace both with the Apex firing pin AND spring.

Replace retaining pin (push in the firing pin to allow this), replace sideplate, and you're "GOOD TO GO".

Dale53

 

[davemercer]

davemercer;
It is EASY to replace the firing pin with an Apex or Cylinder&Slide "extra length" firing pin.

Remove the side plate, the retaining pin sticks above the surface and is a slip fit. Just lift the retaining pin out, and remove the firing pin and replace (if you are using a Cylinder & Slide Pin). If you are using an Apex pin, remove the firing pin AND the firing pin spring and replace both with the Apex firing pin AND spring.

Replace retaining pin (push in the firing pin to allow this), replace sideplate, and you're "GOOD TO GO".

Dale53

Thank Dale. But hopefully I am now ok. I got my 442 back from Smith. Smith replaced the firing pin and it is noticably longer. Not, however, as long as original firing pin in my 640 purchased new about 13 years ago.

While all strikes on S&B ammo are not real strong, none are super faint as was case with original firing pin.