Value of a firing pin on the hammer or in the frame?

[Meztiso]

Is there a difference in value of the older models with the firing pin on the hammer and no-lock vs. the new relocated firing pin in the frame and lock models?

Sorry for asking this lowly basic question. I asked this question a while back in a different topic thread but my question probably didn't get noticed? I'm a newbie.

 

[model14]

I go by the condition of the revolver, and not whether it is pre-lock or not. My new 686 and 629 are beautiful, accurately machined revolvers that shoot very straight. I could give a hoot about the lock or the firing pin set up, just so it works as intended. I never use the lock and I personally doubt it is going to inadvertantly lock up on me. I don't use these guns for people shooting so it is not an issue.

 

[bountyhunter]

Many people value the older guns with forged hammers and triggers and NO lock more than the new guns.

How much value adder it gives is anybody's guess.

 

[jazzman452]

I admit that I like the pre lock models the best, but if I find the right gun I will not turn it down because of the lock. I have no preference on the firing pin location.

Jazzman

 

[KeithCarter]

To me, the firing pin on the hammer LOOKS more like a real gun. Frame mounted looks like something is missing.

But then, I'm an old geezer.

 

[KurtC]

Is there a difference in value of the older models with the firing pin on the hammer and no-lock vs. the new relocated firing pin in the frame and lock models?

You left out the models with no lock, but that have a frame mounted pin (c 1998-2001). I actually prefer these, as the pin can be changed by the user. The hammer mounted pins usually need a trip to the factory.

 

[TAC]

Originally posted by KeithCarter:
To me, the firing pin on the hammer LOOKS more like a real gun. Frame mounted looks like something is missing.

But then, I'm an old geezer.

You're just used to looking at S&W's. The Colt Python does not have a firing pin on the hammer.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

You're just used to looking at S&W's. The Colt Python does not have a firing pin on the hammer.

Colt SAA's have the pin on the hammer.

While it may not make a difference functionality wise, I MUCH prefer the pin on the hammer. Smiths have always had them mounted that way ( k-22's aside) until the last few years, and it looks better in my opinion. Let's be honest, a lot of us buy guns as much because of the way they look and feel, as for the caliber they are chambered for. ie; gp100 vs.586/686.

 

[scott625b]

A 1911 does not have a hammer mounted firing pin and it seems to work well. The S&W frame mounted pin is just a smaller version of a 1911 pin. All my competition guns have the frame mounted pin and they have been set with light trigger pulls and work extremely and reliably well. Randy Lee gave a great explanation of the differences between frame and hammer mounted pins a while back.

 

[stevieboy]

I don't think that either I or the bullets in my revolvers can tell the difference between a frame- and a hammer-mounted firing pin. They both work equally well. Note that, although Smith's use of a frame mounted pin on all of its revolvers is a relatively recent design change, it and other manufacturers have traditionally used frame-mounted pins on their rimfire models. So, Smith has been installing a frame-mounted firing pin on at least some of its revolvers for at least 100 years. I would think that's long enough to work out any design or engineering kinks.

 

[carguychris]

Originally posted by Meztiso:
Is there a difference in value of the older models with the firing pin on the hammer and no-lock vs. the new relocated firing pin in the frame and lock models?

Getting back to the OP's question about the value...

It depends on the gun. Much of it has to do with the relative rarity of the hammer-mounted models versus the floating-pin models. Generally, the longer the production run with the hammer-mounted pin, the less the floating pin hurts the value, because the hammer-mounted pin models are relatively more common. I'll cite some examples.

It usually doesn't amount to a hill of beans on a Model 10 aka .38 M&P, because the gun was produced for almost 9 decades(!) with the hammer-mounted pin. Most of them have the hammer-mounted pin. Value will be more dependent on the condition of the gun than the presence of the hammer-mounted pin.

The hammer-mounted pin is often mentioned as a value enhancement on the 686 since it has only been produced since 1980. It has had the floating pin for the last 12 of those 29 years. The hammer-mounted-pin models may sell for ~5-10% more than the later models, but it varies depending on local market conditions.

The hammer-mounted pin makes the biggest difference on guns that only had brief production runs with it. Examples include the 610 (only produced 1989-1992 with the hammer-mounted pin); 629 Classic DX (1991-1997); and 637 & 638 (1989 only). In these cases, the hammer-mounted pin can add 20%+ to the value.

OTOH some Smiths have had much shorter production runs with the floating pin, such as the 586 (1980-1997 hammer, 1997-1999 floating). I haven't seen many cases of the floating firing pin being claimed as a value enhancement on these guns, probably since they're still relatively new. OTOH it may become one as time passes.

Two other brief notes:

The dates of introduction of the floating firing pin and ILS do not coincide; the floating pins were added in 1996-1997 and the ILS appeared in 2001.

AFAIK rimfire S&W revolvers have always had floating firing pins.