J frame light primer strikes?

[461]

I just got my little 432PD and got to shoot it this last week with a small problem. Two or three rounds per cylinder won't fire due to the light firing pin strikes, barely any mark on the primers at all. Tried two different brands of ammo with no difference so I'm confident that it's not hard primers. This is a brand new gun so nobody has "fixed" anything in it. Not being a Smith guy at all, is there anything to look for before calling S&W to ship it in? Thanks all.

 

[earplug]

Do not pass go, just call Smith and Wesson. They will send you a mailing bag to send the firearm to get fixed. My guess its a fire control problem.

 

[popeye]

About a year ago I bought a new 432 PD. I compared the FP protrusion length with another gun I had (S&W 632) and there was a difference. I had no ignition problems with 32 mag. which was the only load I tried. However, after firing maybe 50 rounds, all, and I mean all, down to bare metal, of the powder coat? of the cyl. face was gone. Sent it back to Smith and they re coated it. But I suspect it would have same issue again. I compared my gun to pics of the same model, but earlier production. The earlier guns appeared to have blued cyls, and laser etching on the frame and barrel was much brighter than my example. I sold my gun after others confirmed some quality control issues with later production guns. In retrospect though I wish I had it back as the 632 is gone also and I could learn to live with the cosmetic issue as .32 mag. snubs are few and far between.

 

[kkebs]

I've had the same problem as you 461 on a new MP340 and only got the pocket rocket to shoot 30 out of 100 trys. I sent it back to SW and three weeks later
just got it back. They replaced the firing pin and repaired the yoke for some reason. Will try it out this week and test the fix. It still concerns me that this
MP340 that I bought for EDC may not go bang if I ever have to pull the trigger.
I really am thinking about just selling it, but another long wait in NJ for the permit.

 

[popeye]

Per my previous post: The only reason I checked the FP on my 432 was when dry firing the gun it would occasionally produce sparks from the pin bushing/hole. Conferring with another 432 owner he told me he had yoke issues as well.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Were it not new, I would suspect someone has been cutting on the mainspring (on J-frames this is a coil spring, not a leaf). A weak mainspring is still possible. In double-action the hammer does not swing back as far or fall as hard.

 

[Hawk]

Also, were it not new, I'd be all over this thing.

Might anyway.

 

[bdjansen]

I've had 2 Smith J frames with this problem. It seems to be common. Send it to them.

 

[461]

I intended to get a hold of Smith today but I got sidetracked picking up my new Ruger LCP. I'll try to make tomorrow a S&W day.