629-4 Mountain Gun. Went back to Smith for a hammer nose about a year ago, going for it's 2nd tomorrow. Maybe 1000 rounds on the hammer nose and very minimal dry firing. What is up?

nose in the hammer?
hammer in the frame?
hole in the frame?
nose in the hole in the frame?

I've seen a boatload of old Smiffs used hard over the past 35 years and I never saw one consistently do that. I suspect bad frame machining, though trying a new hammer would be another approach.

another mountain gun breaking firing pins. Belonged to ***. Or maybe it was when he went by *****. Or ******.

Anyway, it made several trips back and I cannot remember if it ever quit breaking pins.

In his case, he & S&W said everything lined up. Always wondered if perhaps the cylinder had enough free rotational slop to shear off the pin nose at the moment of firing.

If you are talking about who I think you are; I'm sure his moutain gun was the best gun ever devised...until the next week when he found something new and that thing was an unreliable, hunk of junk!

and 3 Smiths.....this is one of the reasons............

Never had that problem on a Smith, but I had a Rossi .357 that would break them quite regularly.

But a wild guess, if everything has been checked and lines up well within specs, has anyone checked the movement of the firing pin in the hammer? They are designed with a small amount of movement and if there is not enough, or maybe an excessive amount, perhaps that could cause the problem?

Might solve the problem, and if nothing else it will be cheaper and easier than getting the pin replaced. (Assuming S&W isn't picking up the tab and the shipping)

S&W is picking up shipping both ways along with the repair. Thankfully, the gun is covered under Lifetime Service. Interesting note, Smith no longer supports the forged hammers and triggers. A call asking to buy a new hammer nose to install will be answered with a "no". They will not install a new hammer nose if one just sends back the hammer, covered under warranty or not. They insist on the entire gun. Unless they perform a miracle and really make a believer out of me, I imagine this 629-4 will become trade fodder.

CAS...

I have several N frame hammers who's hammer nose's are now like gold. I can keep putting new hammers, but if the gun keeps breaking the hammer noses it makes for a expensive temporary repair.

that.

--
Of the Troops & For the Troops

I have a safe full of Rugers and only one S&W at this point (a 629-4 4"). While I dearly love the 629, and would joyously celebrate the arrival of a 686 or 627, I do tend to baby it. I'll shoot just about any sane load in my GP100 or SBH and dry fire them with reckless abandon. They are just tanks.

Over frame mounted firing pins. I flat out do not ever dry fire my 629-4 or my 1917 Colt (though I used to dry fire the crap out of it when I was just a kid...I'm amazed I didn't wear it out in the house!) and it is not advised to do so. It is a very very very rare frame mounted firing pin that brakes.

Power Custom sells S&W hammer noses. I see them on Midway's site here => http://www.midwayusa.com/product/964902/power-custom-smith-and-wesson-hammer-nose-rivet...

I can't say if they offer anything over the factory part but at least they are available to the common man.

Good to know, Hoot. Thanks!