[SOCO]

I just tested out my brand new S&W Model 60 with some Winchester White Box 357 magnum 110 gr JHPs. Much to my dismay, I had a light strike on almost every round. (Only had time to shoot about 10 or 15 though.) Is this ammo unreliable, or should I get my new snubby looked at? I'm going to buy and test some other ammo, but I've always had good luck with Winchester through my Beretta.

Thanks!

[ChristopherG]

I'll bet your strain-set screw is not tightened down. Take off the handles and give it a look. Factory Winchester ammo should never misfire with a J-frame.
CG

[SOCO]

Um, where, exactly, is the strain screw located? Forgive me, but I'm new to revolvers.

[C.R.Sam]

J Frame, no strain screw.

Warrenty time, and good luck.

Sam

[SOCO]

Um, where, exactly, is the strain screw located? Forgive me, but I'm new to revolvers.

[SOCO]

Sorry for the double (double) post about the location of the strain screw. Warranty, huh? Does that take a long time? I already called my dealer and he said he'd ship it back to Smith for me.

[ChristopherG]

Oops. You're right, of course, there is no strain screw. Don't I feel the fool. In that case, I'm both sorry and stumped, SOCO. Sam, as is usual, is right. S&W will take care of it for you.
CG

[Old Fuff]

If this is a new Model 60 it has a frame-mounted firing pin, and that may be causing the trouble. Swing out the cylinder, hold the cylinder lock thumbpiece back, pull the trigger and hold it back while the hammer falls.

Now look at the firing pin, that should be protruding through the frame, and notice how far it's sticking out. If it isn't this could answer your question.

Unless there is something more that's wrong the turn-around time should be very short. It doesn't take much time to pop the sideplate and replace a firing pin.

I don't think your ammunition is causing the problem.

[SOCO]

Yes, the firing pin is protruding ... not sure if it's far enough, but it does come through. Would I need a new (longer) firing pin?

[Standing Wolf]

I'd try the gun with several brands of ammunition. If it still strikes light, I'd ship it back to the factory in P.D.Q. order.

If you'd bought it used, I'd recommend replacing all the springs with Wolff: http://www.gunsprings.com

[greyhound]

Whoa, sorry man, I had a manufactured in 3/02 Model 60 and I put 600 rounds of various White Box/Eagle/PMC/UMC through it in both .38 and .357 with no problems before I traded it like a fool. Sounds like you have a problem, sorry to hear.

Wish I had that baby back! I hear both good and bad about S&W customer service, hope my K-frame 64 never needs it!

Welcome, and good luck.

[BluesBear]

Take your Model 60, make sure it's unloaded.
Now check again and make sure it's unloaded.
Once you are sure it's empty, close the cylinder,
cock the hammer,
point it at the ceiling,
drop a standard wooden pencil with a good eraser, eraser first, down the barrel.

Pull the trigger,
the pencil should jump at last 2 feet in the air and there should be a "bruise" on the eraser.

[SOCO]

Pencil jumps, but not two feet. No bruise on the pencil either. Weak spring? It's a brand new gun, but maybe the shop fooled with it. I might try a new spring before I mail it in, b/c I'd hate to be without it for so long.

[dfariswheel]

I would NOT replace any springs on a new revolver that's mis-firing.
A stronger spring might only mask the real problem, and you could have problems later. (Like when you REALLY NEED the gun).

In any event, a stronger spring will also give you a harder trigger pull.

In any case, altering the gun will void the factory warranty. You've paid good money for a gun that doesn't function.......let S&W repair it.

In the case of a new gun with obvious problems, they won't make you wait long.

[Old Fuff]

It could be a defective or too-weak mainspring, but if this is a new gun I sort of doubt it. Possibly something is causing the hammer to bind, and result in light hits. I would try dry-firing it a bit and perhaps a drop of oil on each side of the hammer slot in the frame. If you are going to send it back to S&W I wouldn't pop the sideplate. Marks or burrs on the screws might give them second thoughts about warrantee repairs.

If the gun was mine I would be far more concerned about making sure any problems were corrected so that it was unquestionably reliable then how soon I might get it back. It's highly doubtful you will need the gun in the next few weeks (or less) and if you did and it didn't fire where would you be?

[C.R.Sam]

Opinion....
It's new.
It's broken.
Don't mess with it.
Send it back to it's parents.

Sam

[SOCO]

Thanks to everyone for the great advice. I'm calling S&W in the morning and will send it back to them, 100% un-fooled-around-with. No sense in my screwing up my warranty, especially if they'll do the work (and shipping) for free! Thanks again!

[Standing Wolf]

Please do everyone a favor and let us know how things work out, eh?

[SOCO]

Will do! Thanks!