Snap Caps Spark

[grege33]

Just curious:

I noticed when I dry fire w/ my A-Zoom snap caps (w/ my 442), there are sparks where the pin strikes the caps. It doesn't spark if I dry fire without them.

Is this normal? Should I be concerned that pin is hitting the caps wrong? The reason I'm concerned, is that I recently changed the cylinder out w/ the titanium, and I haven't fired it w/ the new cylinder. The timing appears to be perfect, but I haven't shot it w/ ammo.

I would like to say that I noticed this w/ the old cylinder, but I just got the snap caps, and this is the first time I've dry fired w/ them.

I've never noticed problems at the range, but I was shooting the stainless original cylinder.

 

[Flint Ridge]

Something odd going on... My A-Zooms do not spark with my 66. Are you sure there is no unusual metal to metal contact anywhere?

A-Zooms are aluminum, I thought and should not spark the "primer" is rubber and should not spark. Do you have some spent brass? Unloaded ammo to test no bullet, powder & just the spent primer?

Until you get this figured out do not dry-fire in an environment with fumes within their explosive limits

 

[Flint Ridge]

Hmmmm.... I'm seeing another thread on the net of sparks from S&W revolvers with hammer mounted firing pins.

an airweight .38
340PD
442

Plenty of threads out there on Smith & Wesson sparks while dryfiring. Sounds like the Swiss Army Knife of handguns for survival purposes.

Situation normal?

 

[Robinett_11B]

Just checked, and my 442-2 sparks when dry-fired without snap caps, but not with them. It doesn't happen every time I dry-fire w/o snap caps...maybe every 1-2/5. The firing pin and the area where it exits the frame have no signs of undue wear and I've never had any misfires with the gun.

 

[Dave T]

No offense guys but this is hard to believe! Are you actually getting sparks off the firing pin? No wonder I'm still buying older guns with the FP mounted on the hammer. (smiley face goes here)

Dave

 

[Robinett_11B]

The no-lock 442-2 is my only new-production S&W...I completely accept any and all idiosyncrasies, including MIM parts and fire-starting firing pins, that are inherent in the new guns when I bought it. The sparks don't appear to have any affect on function, but who knows how long metal can keep being shaved off in the form of sparks without causing any issues?

 

[allglock]

Sparks are from the titanium firing pin.

 

[Robinett_11B]

The firing pins in the x42's are all made out of titanium? I tried taking a video of the sparks with the cylinder open on my 442...couldn't get it to upload though :/

 

[nicky4968]

Perhaps Wint-O-Green Lifesavers are involved in this process?

 

[grege33]

Sparks are from the titanium firing pin.

Good to know...learn something new every day.

I figured I was OK, but I wanted to verify.

 

[XTrooper]

I got sparks from the frame-mounted steel firing pin in my M&P 340 while dry firing with snap caps just before it broke.

Your firing pin could be slightly bent/cracked and contacting the firing pin hole as it passes through it. I'd pull it out, inspect it, and be prepared to replace it.