Why is the frame mounted firing pin disliked?

[reddog81]

Hammer mounted just looks better. It's easier to explain/visualize how it functions when you can see the firing pin.
I am indifferent between the 2 as far as function goes, but prefer the hammer mounted for the looks.

 

[5Wire]

The frame mounted firing pin has been around for a log time on the .22 revolvers and it's what makes the hammer block work. I have both types, no problems with either.

 

[S&WIowegan]

The majority of people are older, i.e. me, and develop a huge dislike for change as we age. I am very aware of this tendency and refuse to give in to it. One person on this thread points out that S&W 22 revolvers have had frame mounted firing pins for a very long time. As a collector and a person who actually shoots large volumes of ammo through S&W, Colt and Ruger revolvers, I believe frame-mounted FPs are far superior to the S&W hammer FPs.

Many people here assume any change is made to reduce costs and therefore any change by definition is crummy. I have worked for/with many manufacturing companies in my life. They all strive to make their products better and less expensive to make. They do not strive to make products crummier. That may happen but never intentionally and can be corrected. I have some familiarity with machining and can't imagine how milling a frame for FP system is cheaper than pinning an FP to a hammer.

 

[mike from st pete]

Rim fires

My model 17 (no dash) has a frame mounted firing pin.
See?

 

[Laketime]

For me its the look of the hammer when cocked that looks strange without the firing pin.Also the tinny sound the hammer makes when dropped on the frame mounted versions.

 

[SLT223]

I think it's a collector vs shooter thing.

Last year I began reloading on a progressive press, and went from shooting 2000 rounds a year to about 12,000. My capital is now focused on shooting. Accordingly, the guns I need for this are ones that can be used heavily without major damage to value, and have readily available replacement parts. The new S&W's fit this requirement very well.

I still love the older Smiths, and have not seen more aesthetically pleasing pistols to date. For admiring and casual/occasional shooting, I like my old Smiths. For ~1000 rounds / month of firing, I'll grab a new Smith. I couldn't care any less how the firing pin functions, as long as it does function...and it does.

 

[PatriotX]

Chaaaaannge baaaaaaddd.....CHAAANGE BAAAAAAADDD !!!!

 

[UncleEd]

When I was much younger there were those who lamented the change in hammer design after WWII. Such is life.

I'm not sure anyone objected to doing away with the big knobby
end of the ejector rod but no doubt some did.

 

[Green Frog]

Back in the late '70s a cottage industry began using Model 53 revolvers with 38 Special cylinders added to make PPC guns with frame mounted firing pins. Somebody must have thought they were a good idea at that time. Of course the ultimate was a Model 53 with a 32 S&W Long cylinder and barrel. Wish I'd been able to afford one!

Froggie

 

[BigBill]

I never had a problem with my floating firing pins in my Rugers since the 70's. I always thought of the firing pin on the hammer was more antique.
It is what it is.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Hammer mounted just looks better. It's easier to explain/visualize how it functions when you can see the firing pin.
I am indifferent between the 2 as far as function goes, but prefer the hammer mounted for the looks.

WHAT HE SAID!!!!! EVERY WORD!!!!!!!!!!

 

[John R]

S&W say themselves that they are ok to dry fire. It's best not to dry fire a gun if you don't know the setup for sure, but Smiths are "dry fireable".

And I set up a poll and could find no one (except one dubious problem) that had any real problem with MIM parts failing in a S&W. If they are made right, they are the cat's meow. If they don't have good QC, then the problems start.

You think maybe this is the same quality control that lets the new revolvers go out with cocked barrels?

 

[twodog max]

Being a traditionalist it is hard for me to like changes but after owning several frame mounted S&W version I find nothing technically wrong with the frame mount and have gotten used to them to the point I never even notice it anymore. I buy guns to use so if it works I am OK. I still appreciate the old look but do not have to have it in a working gun.

 

[CajunBass]

If someone was to ask me NOW, I would tell them I preferred the older, P&R guns with the firing pin on the hammer. Mostly because I "like" the older guns, just because they're older.

But to tell you the truth, if not for this and other forums, I doubt I would have even noticed such changes had taken place. If I did, I'm reasonably sure I wouldn't have thought anything of them.

 

[Fishslayer]

For me it's mostly about a whole package of stuff. P&R gone, MIM, firing pin, lock hole... An era has passed etc etc...

In other words... CHANGE BAD!

 

[DFrame]

Mostly it's cause "They didn't used to make them that way".
Some folks find it extremely difficult to accept changes that are inevitable in the industry.

 

[Blackshirt]

If I'm not mistaken, there are two versions of the frame-mounted firing pin. The one on my 12 year old J-Frame 638 is very easy to access with a slip-fit, captive pin holding it in place. The other-one that I have observed in my father-in-law's older 642-is far more difficult to get to. Perhaps that earlier variant earned the crummy reputation...

 

[wbraswell]

What a pity party. Sounds like a bunch of whining about obsolescence of their generation.(and mine!)

 

[jtcarm]

I don't like it because it's one more moving part to deal with . . .

How often have you have to deal with a revolver firing pin?

I've been blasting away with a Ruger OM Blachawk for over 40 years. 33 years and 50,000+ rounds through my 17-3. I never had to "deal with" a pin. Same for the hammer-mounted pins.

 

[Rob41]

I never liked the look of a hammer mounted firing pin. Frame mounted firing pins have been around a long time and have the very same, reliable and proven track record. Plus, frame mounted pins are easier to replace should the unlikely need ever arise.