s&w 19 firing pin wobbly, normal?

jessedehaven04 · October 28, 2013, 10:21 PM

i have a S&W 19 .357mag, ive had it for over a year not. It shoots great very accurite, crisp trigger, tight lock up, but the firing pin (hammer mounted) seems a little wobbly, it has never had any firing issues and ive put about 500 .38spl through it with no ftf to speak of. I was wondering if there is and exceptable amount of wobble on the firing pin or if it has become loose from years of previous use, any input would be great.

ryan3465 · October 28, 2013, 10:35 PM

Your gun is okay. I have a Model 19 that my dad carried as a cop and it has the hammer mounted firing pin. I believe the movement in the firing pin is a mechanism of the S&W safety, but regardless, that movement is normal for the older smiths with the hammer mounted firing pin.

bledsoeG19 · October 28, 2013, 10:35 PM

Mine does the same thing

Sgt127 · October 28, 2013, 10:36 PM

Up and down wiggle? Normal. Makes it easier to follow the channel to the breech face. Side to side, none to very little.

burrhead · October 28, 2013, 10:38 PM

Doesn't have anything to do with the safety. The movement is so the firing pin can find it's way through the clearance cut in the frame on it's trip to the primer.

**Mike Irwin** · October 29, 2013, 09:31 AM

Absolutely normal.

In fact, that bit of wiggle makes it nearly unbreakable as it allows the pin to move a little bit when striking the primer.

If it didn't, it would put far greater stress on the pin and could lead to premature breakage.

James K · October 29, 2013, 01:45 PM

That wiggle allows the firing pin to be guided by the channel so it impacts the primer straight on, rather than hitting it in a downward motion. The result is more positive ignition for better reliability and accuracy.

Jim

Dfariswheel · October 29, 2013, 06:28 PM

As above, up and down movement...GOOD, in fact necessary.
Side to side movement....BAD.

With the provision that there will be slight side to side movement, but there should be no more than a very slight amount.

Nick_C_S · October 29, 2013, 10:47 PM

jessedehaven04 -

Your gun is damaged beyond repair. And I think it would be best if you just sold it to me - cheap.

camsdaddy · November 1, 2013, 10:44 AM

I have several K frames with the firing pin on the hammer. I have found that there is one that simply wobbles and some that are somewhat spring activated

October 28, 2013, 10:21 PM	#1
jessedehaven04 Junior Member Join Date: February 13, 2013 Posts: 9	s&w 19 firing pin wobbly, normal? i have a S&W 19 .357mag, ive had it for over a year not. It shoots great very accurite, crisp trigger, tight lock up, but the firing pin (hammer mounted) seems a little wobbly, it has never had any firing issues and ive put about 500 .38spl through it with no ftf to speak of. I was wondering if there is and exceptable amount of wobble on the firing pin or if it has become loose from years of previous use, any input would be great.

October 28, 2013, 10:35 PM	#2
ryan3465 Member Join Date: March 17, 2013 Posts: 46	s&w 19 firing pin wobbly, normal? Your gun is okay. I have a Model 19 that my dad carried as a cop and it has the hammer mounted firing pin. I believe the movement in the firing pin is a mechanism of the S&W safety, but regardless, that movement is normal for the older smiths with the hammer mounted firing pin.

October 28, 2013, 10:38 PM	#5
burrhead Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 1999 Location: Chihuahuan desert, Texas Posts: 1,148	Doesn't have anything to do with the safety. The movement is so the firing pin can find it's way through the clearance cut in the frame on it's trip to the primer. __________________ Join the GOA, SAF and the TSRA I'm offended by people that are easily offended.

October 29, 2013, 09:31 AM	#6
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	Absolutely normal. In fact, that bit of wiggle makes it nearly unbreakable as it allows the pin to move a little bit when striking the primer. If it didn't, it would put far greater stress on the pin and could lead to premature breakage. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

October 29, 2013, 10:47 PM	#9
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,522	jessedehaven04 - Your gun is damaged beyond repair. And I think it would be best if you just sold it to me - cheap. __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

October 28, 2013, 10:35 PM	#3
bledsoeG19 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2013 Posts: 135	Mine does the same thing

October 28, 2013, 10:36 PM	#4
Sgt127 Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2002 Posts: 1,053	Up and down wiggle? Normal. Makes it easier to follow the channel to the breech face. Side to side, none to very little.

October 29, 2013, 01:45 PM	#7
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	That wiggle allows the firing pin to be guided by the channel so it impacts the primer straight on, rather than hitting it in a downward motion. The result is more positive ignition for better reliability and accuracy. Jim

October 29, 2013, 06:28 PM	#8
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	As above, up and down movement...GOOD, in fact necessary. Side to side movement....BAD. With the provision that there will be slight side to side movement, but there should be no more than a very slight amount.

November 1, 2013, 10:44 AM	#10
camsdaddy Senior Member Join Date: October 5, 2007 Posts: 397	I have several K frames with the firing pin on the hammer. I have found that there is one that simply wobbles and some that are somewhat spring activated

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