smith and wesson 929 9mm won't fire

[jasper929]

After waiting several months I finally got my smith and wesson 929 9mm revolver. Took it to the shooting range today and it does not fire. Leaves small dent in primer but does not fire. tried several different types of ammo and none would work. I used the supplied moon clip and an aftermarket one and neither worked. I did shoot the rounds that would not fire in the 929 but did fire in my semi-auto.

Does anyone know what I should do?

Thanks

 

[Macinaw]

Maybe a loose strain screw on the mainspring? Or, to short of a firing pin.

 

[Kid44]

Do you really have to ask this question?? First thing I would think to do is return it to where I bought it, or directly contact S&W.

 

[Irritant]

Use Federal primers. My 929 is okay with Feds but bounces off most others.

 

[Neumann]

The tension screw is about the only thing you can fix yourself. Take off the grips and make sure the screw holding the main spring is bottomed out and tight. I have found loose tension screws in both new and used revolvers. I suspect amateurs and possibly LCG sales people loosen them to lighten the trigger pull.

Firing pins don't shrink. If it isn't broken, it's long enough. People tend to blame every problem on short firing pins and worn hands, which are rarely at fault. Excessive end play in the cylinder is another possibility, especially if it's a well-used revolver. That can be fixed with shims, as long as the gap is not too great (> 0.010") afterwards. Also, check the firing pin spring. There should be no roughness as the firing pin moves. Springs can break with excessive dry firing.

 

[Nightowl]

Its a brand new gun. Call Smith customer service, they will send you a shipping label and you can send back. It should shoot all ammo you put in it, not just Federal primed stuff. Warranty work is returned pretty fast compared to other work.
You should not have to fiddle with a new gun to get it to fire!!

 

[H Richard]

Has a former owner replaced the mainspring with a "lightened" one? I would just about bet that is the problem.. How does the trigger feel, nice and smooth, or just a little stiff to pull? If it's very pleasant, light and smooth it has probably had a trigger job and a reduced power mainspring installed. Put a factory spring back in it.

 

[vipermd]

+1 to Nightowl & Kid44. Call Smith!! Do not check the strain screw, firing pin, springs, It is a NEW gun, it should work, period. You could consult with the dealer that sold it to you but I doubt he can do anything for you. Do NOT pay for the shipping either way, you can ship it to S&W it does not have to go through a dealer. Be pleasant when you speak to CS, it will make it all smoother. Let us know the outcome. Be Safe,

 

[old&slow]

Use Federal primers. My 929 is okay with Feds but bounces off most others.

to the OP , New firearm,,, I would send it back ASAP.. I've been reading way to many posts about very poor QC from S&W.. The last two S&W 's I purchased new had QC issues.

Irritant, obviously you haven't been reading several posts, past and present, about ALL primers are the Same Hardness.. Discussing primer hardness on this web site is a kin to discussing religion or politics..

FYI, I have several firearms that I use for local competition that haven't read and don't know that All Primers are the same either.. And prefer Federal Primers or Winchester Primers ( their 2nd choice) and don't care for CCI's at all..

 

[Florida Guy]

The gun has a lifetime warranty.
Call S&W to arrange shipping back to them.
They will fix it for sure.
Don't go fiddling with it.

 

[oldgranddad]

jasper929 never says that his 929 is new. Sounds like the Holiday stress is getting to some of us a little early.

 

[Macinaw]

jasper929 never says that his 929 is new. Sounds like the Holiday stress is getting to some of us a little early.

The assumption could be made that it is a new gun. He waited months go get it. The 929 is a brand new model that has only been out for a short time. I know of competition shooters that are still waiting to get one.

 

[shawn mccarver]

If new, the only thing you should do is double check the strain screw. Make sure it is tightened fully down.

If that does not fix it so it is absolutely 100% reliable (anything less is unacceptable), then send it back to S&W.

Most likely, they will replace the standard firing pin with their "super secret Performance Center firing pin."

It could, however, be another more serious problem, such as excessive headspace so that the primer is simply too far away from the firing pin to allow for reliable ignition. In that case, end shake shims are not the answer as S&W fixes that problem using a different method (or at least they always have in the past).

The frequency of ignition problems reported on this forum is quite disturbing.

 

[mwhick]

hi guys,i have the 929 as well and its on its way back to smith.lite primer strikes. it was fine at first but after a 1000 rounds or so i started having problems. this is my first smith and i had no ideal what to do.i took it to the dealer and they were like no problem will send it out monday. its been a few weeks but it is the holidays.i can say i love the gun its probably something minor. or it may be my ammo or moon clips but i wanted to be safe so i sent it back. no regrets on buying it ,its just one of those things that happen.

 

[Pizza Bob]

The frequency of ignition problems reported on this forum is quite disturbing.

And probably about 90%, or more, of them can be fixed with a screwdriver in a matter of minutes (if you have to remove the grip) or seconds (if you don't).

I can't believe the number of folks on here telling people to send it back immediately, when in most cases, tightening the strain screw fixes the problem.

As shawn said - check the strain screw first, if that doesn't work, THEN send it back. For those that find the strain screw backed-off - and it doesn't have to be by much - use some thread locker and then tighten it down - I prefer purple Loc-tite, but you could use blue - never use red.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[vipermd]

probably about 90%, I can't believe the number of folks on here telling people to send it back immediately, when in most cases, tightening the strain screw fixes the problem.

No- I believe the 929 are from the performance center ( tuned by PC), If they can not get it right, or there is a problem that the strain screw is "backing" out, or some other as yet unknown reason--Send it back. If I am buying a new PC gun ( PC Tuned) then it should be right. It will cost you nothing but a little time, fedex picks it up, fedex brings it back, S&W picks up the tab. That is important because a "New" product keeps coming back, hopefully someone at S&W would notice a trend and look for a reason, and solve the problem. If no one tells them/shows them they have no reason to change and the problem perpetuates. When my mechanic did a "Supertune" on my car and I took it across the river to make some money, I did not tighten/loosen screws on the Holley, it was tuned for the salt air,that's why he got paid, that is why the PC gets paid. Be Safe,

 

[Pizza Bob]

@vipermd - If you want to deprive yourself of your new gun for a couple weeks minimum, after laying out $1K+, for the sake of tightening a screw, you go right ahead. I may not be a mechanical genius, but I'm pretty handy with a screwdriver and I'd rather shoot my gun than pi$$ and moan about a loose screw.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[varmint243]

A friend of mine let me shoot his the other day and it was perfect !!!
I haven't had that big a smile on my face since the last time I was in The Wet Kitty in Guam.

 

[S&W357]

My new 929 is back at S&W. The wheel doesn't open or close easy. I waited months and now waiting again. These are PC guns!!!!!! This should not be. My next gun is Ruger!!!!

 

[Pizza Bob]

My new 929 is back at S&W. The wheel doesn't open or close easy. I waited months and now waiting again. These are PC guns!!!!!! This should not be. My next gun is Ruger!!!!

I'm assuming that you mean the cylinder. Just how hard was it? Guns with a ball detent lock-up on the crane are harder to open than Smiths with a conventional cylinder closure. It requires just a little extra oomph to push the cylinder out of the frame.

The other thing that occurs is the ejector rod may back-off slightly, which can bind the cylinder or lock it up completely. It is reverse threaded, for future reference.

Curious as to what S&W finds with your gun.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[vipermd]

@vipermd - If you want to deprive yourself of your new gun for a couple weeks minimum, after laying out $1K+, for the sake of tightening a screw, you go right ahead. I may not be a mechanical genius, but I'm pretty handy with a screwdriver and I'd rather shoot my gun than pi$$ and moan about a loose screw.Adios,Pizza Bob

I agree it is a screw and most times I can manage to do that without scratching/marring finish. But as you said I put out $1K+, I believe it should work correctly. We have seen a few people report it on forum,2-3? We do not know how many guns that have had problems, is it just the strain screw was not adjusted when it was ( PC Tuned)??, or another problem. I guess I believe S&W needs to be informed at the least, simply because for 1K$ I expect better QC. Be Safe,

 

[Pizza Bob]

I guess I believe S&W needs to be informed at the least, simply because for 1K$ I expect better QC. Be Safe,

If it IS a problem, then I agree. However, we don't have all the information. For all we know the gun passed QC and test fire with no problem. A couple scenarios: 1)The test firing caused the strain screw to back off - I know that it supposedly is only three rounds, but that can be enough. Or perhaps there was rework to be done and it was test fired again. 2)Perhaps it was tested with Federal ammo and fired fine during the test fire. Then the OP used Wolf or some other ammo with hard primers, ergo: no bang.

Every gun cannot be tested with all brands of ammo. The gun can be set-up to reliably fire all brands, at the expense of a 12#-14# trigger pull. Then there would be complaints that this is supposed to be a competition revolver, what's it doing with a 14# trigger?

A loose screw is not a defect and certainly not cause to send the gun back to the mothership, when it is something so easily checked and remedied. Strain screws loosening up have been with is for as long as S&W has used them.

We are faced with generations that just are not familiar with revolvers and their idiosyncrasies. For people that grew up with revolvers, and competed with them or just shot the heck out of them, it would be the first thing checked.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[JonnyB686]

Please read and follow Pizza Bobs advice

Hi All
As a relatively new 929 owner I have experienced the tight cylinder release and light primer strikes. As Pizza Bob says the ball detent lock will be somewhat tighter as will the rear lock until it wears in which mine now has done. After about a 1000 rounds my 929 is almost as easy to open as my 1990 686-3. With regard to the light primer strikes you just need to make sure that the strain screw is fully screwed in and a drop of Loc Tite applied. This cured my light primer strikes instantly ....... Sooooo simple and obvious when you know !
The fact that living in NZ means I can't instantly
return guns to S&W means I have to deal with these issues myself or resort to a gunsmith. IMHO the issues being debated are just part of the process of "running in" a new gun and not serious enough to warrant a return to the manufacturer.
In short I would say follow Pizza Bobs advice (it is good) and maybe be guided by my experience ?
Happy New Year to all.
Regards

Jonathan

 

[S&W357]

I had the same problem with me new sw 29 _44 mag. Sent it back and they did a great job. Polish the gun also. I really don't mind sending it back because they will go over the hole gun and polish it.

 

[MTKTM]

I had a similar experience about 5 years back with a brand new 625PC, it would fire about 2 rounds out of 6, would dent the primers minimally. Returned it to S&W and they returned it in a week with paperwork indicating that they'd replaced the firing pin, presumably with a longer one. It has worked flawlessly ever since.

 

[Pizza Bob]

I had a similar experience about 5 years back with a brand new 625PC, it would fire about 2 rounds out of 6, would dent the primers minimally. Returned it to S&W and they returned it in a week with paperwork indicating that they'd replaced the firing pin, presumably with a longer one. It has worked flawlessly ever since.

That was a known problem with the 625PC's. S&W remedied the problem and one would hope learned from the experience, not repeat it across multiple models going forward. Installing a longer FP is common on competition guns, but so are sub-seven pound triggers and primers seated below flush.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[mwhick]

hey every one i got my 929 back and as most are saying it was the strain screw. they said they replaced it.have not got to shoot it yet but hoping to this weekend. the knowledge you guys have on here is unreal.got it back in about 3 weeks and being the holidays and all i think that was a fast turn around. its been a positive experience for me. if i would of know it was that easy of a fix i would have gave it a try myself. thanks everyone

 

[xring2954]

S&W 929 won't fire

I'm also have issues with my NEW 929. As a retired Indiana State Police armorer I examined my new prized revolver very closely. After a thorough examination it appeared the revolver was ready to go. I very proudly escorted my new best friend along with a couple of real live Trooper friends to the range to let my date show off. I pulled the trigger 8 times it barked twice. My Trooper buddies looked at me like " what the h*#~ was that. I opened the cylinder to find all 8 Federal cartridges had been struck but only 2 discharged. I closed the cylinder and pulled the trigger 8 times again with the previously unfired 6 cartridges going off this time. I put a second full moon clip loaded with NEW Winchester ammo and received basically the same result as the first time (3 went off). Needless to say my Trooper buddies were less than impressed with my new revolver. Upon returning home I completely disassembled the revolver and checked everything I could without finding anything amiss. It is going back to S&W. I only wish Fran Longton was still there. Shameful that S&W is sending out guns from the Performance Center that won't work. I'll update this when I get it back.

 

[Lou_the_welder]

Sorry to hear that. I've just got my 929 and have truly fallen in love. The first range trip i loaded 100 rounds on moon clips. The moon clips i purchased on Amazon.com. i forget the brand. And from the get go, i loaded 115gr 9mms on cci #500 primers. These primers are the hardest to strike btw. Bullseye powder. All of them popped and with amazin accuracy!

2nd range trip. Loaded 150 rounds on those aftermarket moonclips. Using mixed brass, winchester, remington etc., loaded more with (again!) Bullseye powder and cci primers! All rounds fired! Even offered a fellow range dweller to pop a few rounds after i could see him heavily salivating at the gun.

I think its hit and miss (pardon the pun) with SAW. Sometimes you get a jewel and sometimes it needs to be polished. I do think this to be unusual. They may be light primer strikes? I would be curious as to what they tell you it was........