s&w 19 firing pin wobbly, normal?

J

jessedehaven04

Inactive
i have a S&W 19 .357mag, ive had it for over a year not. It shoots great very accurite, crisp trigger, tight lock up, but the firing pin (hammer mounted) seems a little wobbly, it has never had any firing issues and ive put about 500 .38spl through it with no ftf to speak of. I was wondering if there is and exceptable amount of wobble on the firing pin or if it has become loose from years of previous use, any input would be great.
 
Your gun is okay. I have a Model 19 that my dad carried as a cop and it has the hammer mounted firing pin. I believe the movement in the firing pin is a mechanism of the S&W safety, but regardless, that movement is normal for the older smiths with the hammer mounted firing pin.
 
Up and down wiggle? Normal. Makes it easier to follow the channel to the breech face. Side to side, none to very little.
 
Doesn't have anything to do with the safety. The movement is so the firing pin can find it's way through the clearance cut in the frame on it's trip to the primer.
 
Absolutely normal.

In fact, that bit of wiggle makes it nearly unbreakable as it allows the pin to move a little bit when striking the primer.

If it didn't, it would put far greater stress on the pin and could lead to premature breakage.
 
That wiggle allows the firing pin to be guided by the channel so it impacts the primer straight on, rather than hitting it in a downward motion. The result is more positive ignition for better reliability and accuracy.

Jim
 
As above, up and down movement...GOOD, in fact necessary.
Side to side movement....BAD.

With the provision that there will be slight side to side movement, but there should be no more than a very slight amount.
 
jessedehaven04 -

Your gun is damaged beyond repair. And I think it would be best if you just sold it to me - cheap. ;)
 
I have several K frames with the firing pin on the hammer. I have found that there is one that simply wobbles and some that are somewhat spring activated
 
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