New 629 broke first time out

[KJM]

Sounds like an ammo problem The primer is either damaged or missing from the round, and it tied up the gun, if there is no damage and the gun dryfires fine, I would get the rest of the box of ammo and call the ammo manufacturer. They will send you a label to send the ammo back for evaluation and they will replace it with ammo or money, and if there is any damage to the gun pay for that as well, if you insist.

What brand of ammo and type was it? Lot number on the box?

He mentioned that it got tied up on the MAGNUM ammo, and said that that was Blazer ( CCI) which was more than likely the Aluminum cased ammo, since he didn't say Blazer BRASS.

I never had a problem when I have used this ammo.

Anyone have thoughts on the aluminum case being a problem??

 

[TheGerk]

The card trick worked or at least helped. I took an old plastic rewards card and tried jamming it in there and between that and working the release the cylinder opened up. So, like the Norwegian I am, once I'd cleared the cylinder I closed it up and dry fired it several times with no problem. Looking at the spent cases, one of the primer pockets looks black like it may have been ruptured so I'll send the three spent cases back with the revolver and see what they say.

If you suspect a primer failure, inspect the area I highlighted below in the photo
If the primer fails it can crack and or damage the firing pin bushing

Additionally, if the FP bushing on your gun is like the one in the photo with a convex or dome profile, this could be the reason the primer failed
When fired, the primer is stressed against the convex shaped bushing and the edges of the primer cup can fail and leak.
If you have this make it a point to mention this in your notes to Smith so they can attend to it

Additionally, ALL revolver firing pins and bushings should be inspected periodically for damage.
Good Luck

 

[mtelkhntr]

Off work for the day and had some time to really look it over. Even though the primer pocket on one of the rounds looks funny, it was number two of the three that were shot. Looking at the round the revolver was stuck on, the case showed a scratch across the face so I looked at the firing pin. The firing pin is sticking out of the hole and if I hold it up to the light and dry fire it while watching the firing pin, it does nothing. Right now, I'm thinking that the firing pin is stuck. BUT, all my other S&W's have hammer mounted firing pins and I have nothing to compare it to. I'll let S&W let me know the cause.

The ammo was the Blazer aluminum case stuff but once I got the cylinder loose they came right out without any effort.

 

[PA Reb]

You got the cylinder open and its unloaded - that's good. I believe its a no brainer from there - back to S&W and stop fidlin' with it !

 

[Muley Gil]

"Remember back when the Mod 19's first came out and the tolerances were too tight for the amount of stretch the stainless did when heated up and they locked up, but when they cooled down worked normally."

That was the early M66s, not the M19s.

 

[Magnumdood]

Smith and Wesson...

...tell him not to ship with the cylinder loaded. Instead, they try to play gunsmith over the phone. What if someone doesn't have access to a board like this, lives 50 miles from any town, and comes across the same result, only a different cause, one S&W can't solve over the phone. Come to think of it, it wouldn't matter if he lived in a gunsmith-rich environment. You guys say not to allow a gunsmith to touch your new S&W revolver, although I'm certain S&W has certified gunsmiths across the country who can do warranty work.

What's he supposed to do? Get a bigger hammer?

 

[mtelkhntr]

Fixed!

Thanks all for the comments but as mentioned I did send it back and I got it back from S&W today and the word is;

Customer Complaint: "Punctured Primer"
Repaired: Replace Firing Pin
Repaired: Replace Bushing

 

[Three44s]

Sure sounds like the ejector rod backed out!!!

You'd be foolish to not try to rectify this localy.

Three 44s

 

[sourdough44]

O.K., I see you got the word on the punctured primer. Good to know your on your way.

 

[c good]

Thanks for the update. Glad it's back in action.

 

[Frank237]

Thanks all for the comments but as mentioned I did send it back and I got it back from S&W today and the word is;

Customer Complaint: "Punctured Primer"
Repaired: Replace Firing Pin
Repaired: Replace Bushing

WHERE are You in Montana?

There are a few of us here very knowledgeable in S&W revolvers...past S&W LE Armorers. Could have probably saved you some typing at minimum.

FN in MT

North of Craig...between Helena & Gt Falls

 

[carlosmojoli]

I have my 629 8 3/8" from circa 1970 and nothing could destroy it, even my ignorance. I shoot all brands of ammo and Federal rifle loads for 44 mag. Reloads with 240 grains bullet and 18 grains of Unique. It seems that actual heat work on metals is not so good than it of gone times. For me sounds almost unbelievable that a SW 29 can be destroyed by any normal use.

 

[sundaz11]

Thanks all for the comments but as mentioned I did send it back and I got it back from S&W today and the word is;

Customer Complaint: "Punctured Primer"
Repaired: Replace Firing Pin
Repaired: Replace Bushing

I had same problem over the weekend with a brand new 686. Used your business card trick to get it opened. Called Smith and they are sending me a return label. This is extremely frustrating. Their quality control seems to have gone out the window. I am now leery of buying another of their products. Is yours working ok now???

 

[turbo38gn]

I had same problem over the weekend with a brand new 686. Used your business card trick to get it opened. Called Smith and they are sending me a return label. This is extremely frustrating. Their quality control seems to have gone out the window. I am now leery of buying another of their products. Is yours working ok now???

Wow, that's too bad, I was thinking just the opposite. My last 10 new S&W's have all been flawless... All purchased the last almost 2 years... Which 686 do you have, I been wanting one of those too a little shorter than my 6" model.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Any chance the specials left enough crud ring build up that fast that the magnum cases didn't seat in all the way causing all this madness? I'm not sure how long it takes for build up to get that bad.

 

[sundaz11]

Wow, that's too bad, I was thinking just the opposite. My last 10 new S&W's have all been flawless... All purchased the last almost 2 years... Which 686 do you have, I been wanting one of those too a little shorter than my 6" model.

I have the 686+ 7 shot Talo model.

 

[mtelkhntr]

I had same problem over the weekend with a brand new 686. Used your business card trick to get it opened. Called Smith and they are sending me a return label. This is extremely frustrating. Their quality control seems to have gone out the window. I am now leery of buying another of their products. Is yours working ok now???

I haven't had a chance to try it out. I had to run to N.D. for a bit and probably won't get a chance to try it out until later next week. I've about convinced myself to keep shooting the ammo that failed to see if it repeats.

 

[sundaz11]

Hopefully they have taken care of it. Mine is on its way back to Smith and they should get it tomorrow. Service rep said he is not aware of any problems like this. Told him he should read this forum. Love to know how it works once you get to try it out. Good luck.