What should I do? Are these costly repairs?

[dgroff]

Hello everyone, I bought this 627-5 that was my first revolver with a lock. After finally getting some free time, I took it out to the range and it wouldn't fire. It only fired 8 rounds in single action, striking the rounds more than once, with a total of 23 light strikes. I contacted the seller and hopefully we can work something out, but in comparing my 627 to my friend's 627 there seems to be some issues with mine. Are these going to be costly repairs? Should I just try to send the revolver back to the seller?

I also want to thank fotoman12001, for the great photos, as always.

First of all, someone has removed the locking mechanism from this gun. His gun is on the right, mine is on the left. My gun cannot be locked and the flag is gone as I imagine the other locking parts are.

Second, the firing pin on mine looks damaged. This is mine. Notice how the end of it looks flattened and there are gouges in the metal. It looks shorter than my friend's firing pin and this could be causing the light primer strikes.

This is the firing pin on my friend's gun. The end is rounded and the metal is smooth.

You can see how light the round gets hit compared to another 357 I have.

 

[rbert0005]

I would try a new strain screw first.

Bob

 

[eddieE76]

I was having light strikes on my 627 and all it took was tightening the screw on the bottom of the frame. Good luck!

 

[Breechloader]

Do you want the lock fixed? Or just care about the primer strike issue?

 

[dgroff]

Do you want the lock fixed? Or just care about the primer strike issue?

Mainly the primer strike issue. Maybe I could order the flag from Smith.

 

[dgroff]

I was having light strikes on my 627 and all it took was tightening the screw on the bottom of the frame. Good luck!

I will give that a shot and see what happens. Maybe the firing pin is still okay...?

 

[Jerry N.]

One thing I wouldn't do is worry. You could have the lock put back and the firing pin replaced. I doubt it would cost $50, $100 max. Just because the lock was removed, I would take it to a gunsmith just to make sure the insides are okay. You never know what someone might have done. I think a gunsmith would basically throw in the new firing pin while he was in there. Likely costing you little more than the part (the firing pin). I have no way to know what the lock could cost, but I can't imagine much. I think the largest part of the bill would be the gunsmith's time. Probably one hour at their hourly rate would be my guess.

I wonder about sending it back to Smith and Wesson for the firing pin. They will likely replace the lock before returning it to you. Just a thought (probably not a good one).

 

[snubbyfan]

I agree with Jerry, if you're unfamiliar with what goes on under the sideplate of a S&W revolver, take it to a gunsmith.
No telling what Bubba did to the poor gun.

 

[Avery11]

Looks to me like the firing pin may have endured a dental pick or other such cleaning instrument. I know of no primers THAT hard to deform it such as it is.

One thing I look for (and it's just a hint) when I suspect work has been done under the hood, are the screws. Most people who know enough to mess around the inside, know enough to use the correct driver bits.

Your screw looks to be in perfect shape so I would make a low wager that the internals are okay.

As others said, give the strain screw a turn or two before you do anything else.

When the car won't start, check the gas tank before you lift the hood, no?

Either way, the seller should have known about the internal lock and the light strikes. I would not go send back the gun until I got my money back first.

 

[Nightowl]

The lock is a non issue as related to the misfires. Almost always, the culprit is the strain screw on the front of the grip. Tighten it all the way tight. Some folks think that unscrewing it provides an action job. They should always be firmly tight. If you find it loose and still have problems, then I would replace the firing pin because it looks ugly, and maybe the mainspring.

 

[andyo5]

I think your firing pin needs replacement. Not hard if you know how to do it, and the part is not expensive. The first owner may have played around with other parts as well, but a loosened strain screw would not account for the appearance of your firing pin.

 

[snubbyfan]

If I owned that gun, I'd remove the grips, pull the side plate, detail clean and lube it, replace the firing pin and install the plug. I'd make sure the strain screw was tight and if I still got light strikes I'd replace the mainspring.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/accessories-misc-sale-trade/143299-fs-plug.html

 

[dgroff]

UPDATE**********

I adjusted the strain screw and cleaned out all the internals, took it to the range and it shot great. I will be ordering a new pin and "The Plug". Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[Infidel_319]

Someone Has Pierced A Primer Which Basically Turns The Back Of The Case In To A Plasma Cutter (Looks Like Burn Marks And Soot Around The Pin To Me) That's What's Wrong With Your firing Pin. Get It Replaced, Have Seen This On Many Ar15 Firing Pins But Never On A Revolver Or Any Handgun For That Matter. Usually The Result Of Too Hot A Load With A Thin Cup Primer, Maybe Fiocchi. Replace The Firing Pin, Idk About The Lock Because I'm One Of "Those Guys" That Won't Own One With It For Obvious Reasons.