firing pins

[jughead]

i have noticed that some revolvers have the pin riveted to the hammer and it is loose with a very fine spring behind it. would someone tell this old man the purpose of the loose pin and the spring.

[mikegideon]

I have always believed that the mechanical tolerances of the hammer swing were much looser than the tolerance of the firing pin hole, so the pin has to float. All my S&W revolvers on the past had firing pins on the hammers. My newer Model 637 doesn't.

[jughead]

I have always believed that the mechanical tolerances of the hammer swing were much looser than the tolerance of the firing pin hole, so the pin has to float. All my S&W revolvers on the past had firing pins on the hammers. My newer Model 637 doesn't.

thanks and one more if the spring is missing good bad or ugly

[1gewehr]

A firing pin is typically hardened steel that is relatively brittle to shock other than from the tip. When you see a revolver firing pin that wiggles, the reason is to allow the firing pin to not hit the frame solidly.

Some revolvers have a small spring, and some do not. As long as the firing pin cannot hit the frame and catch before firing the cartridge, I wouldn't worry about it.

At some point, it was decided (by lawyers) that a frame-mounted firing pin with a firing pin blocking safety was safer than a hammer-mounted firing pin. That's why almost all revolvers now have frame-mounted firing pins.

[jughead]

thanks to all. i modified a firing pin for a rossi but couldnt make the spring work without starting all over again. just a range gun so not a biggy.