Firing pins.

[Slamfire]

I call the hammer mounted firing pin mechanism a direct strike mechanism. All the KE or Momentum (whatever makes you happy) goes directly into the primer. Mechanisms that transfer energy through a transfer bar, then a free floating firing pin, lose energy through each transfer. Every energy translation generates entropy and that robs energy from the final firing pin strike.

Smiths use a hammer block, not a transfer bar. The hammer contacts the firing pin directly, and the hammer block can be removed entirely.

True, Smith and Wesson revolvers use a hammer block. Then the energy transfer is though the free floating firing pin, then the primer. Many other revolver designs add a transfer bar.

Also, a S&W hammer-mounted firing pin also loses energy as it pivots against a spring when contacting the firing pin, and it's not clear to me that less energy is lost with this arrangement.

My USFA SAA revolvers do not have a pivot or a spring. The firing pin is hard mounted.

I do not recall any springs in my Colt New Service or D framed revolvers.

The springs in my S&W hammers appear to keep the firing pin at an angle. I don't see how they cushion the blow.

I believe this is why my late model S&W's have stronger mainsprings.

Nor is it clear to me that newer Smiths have stronger mainsprings, either. Is there some data or something from S&W to verify this? I'm not trying to argue they don't - just trying to learn.

Only based on the late model Smiths in my possession. If you wish, you can call the factory and see if they will tell you if spring tension has changed.