The Frontier Sixshooter Community Message Board - Scott, don't know if this helps but...

Scott, don't know if this helps but... (reply)

Scott Ambler — Mon, 19 May 2014 18:55:15 +0000

Good to know, Hoot. Thanks!

Scott, don't know if this helps but... (reply)

Hoot — Mon, 19 May 2014 11:31:01 +0000

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.

This is one reason I don't get worked up... (reply)

rob — Sat, 17 May 2014 02:21:50 +0000

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.

Same here Bud... (reply)

rob — Sat, 17 May 2014 02:13:58 +0000

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.

Bud, I have a Safe full of Smiths & Have NEVER had one do (reply)

Rob Leahy — Thu, 15 May 2014 21:26:40 +0000

that.

Buy another hammer on Ebay. (reply)

Scott Ambler — Thu, 15 May 2014 19:09:01 +0000

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.

Buy another hammer on Ebay. (reply)

cas — Thu, 15 May 2014 18:50:13 +0000

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)

Have not experienced this problem yet... (reply)

Brian A — Thu, 15 May 2014 18:17:33 +0000

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?

I have hell..... (reply)

Jared — Thu, 15 May 2014 01:15:20 +0000

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

I have safe full of Rugers Scott.... (reply)

Bud — Thu, 15 May 2014 00:42:24 +0000

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

I have seen one other. On this forum, actually, years ago (reply)

Slow Hand — Thu, 15 May 2014 00:20:43 +0000

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!

I have seen one other. On this forum, actually, years ago (reply)

John K. — Wed, 14 May 2014 23:28:21 +0000

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.

Seconded, Mark. (reply)

Sarge — Wed, 14 May 2014 22:03:00 +0000

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.

Is it centered..... (reply)

MR — Wed, 14 May 2014 21:32:51 +0000

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

I have hell.....

Scott Ambler — Wed, 14 May 2014 20:17:55 +0000

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?