smith and wesson 929 9mm won't fire

[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........