SW M10-5 firing pin play?

T

Thirties

New member
I just got a used S&W model 10-5 d/a revolver. The gun shoots well and accurately, but the firing pin wiggles a little. It is pinned in there, but there is a very slight movement up and down as if the pin is into a slightly larger hole. I am new to revolvers, and this is my first S&W. an older Colt Police Positive I have doesn't have this movement in the pin.

Is this normal, or should I have someone look at it? It movement is so very slight, it cannot be measured.

Another thing -- this gun has very good blue finish, the bore is bright and not worn, and the chambers also look good. But the trigger and the firing pin "arm" look as if they had been heated a lot. They are slightly discolored with no blue finish. What is this?

Photo enclosed. I'll try to get a detailed photo of the discolored trigger and f-pin arm later.

Thanks.
 
Don't worry about the wiggling firing pin; that's how they were designed.

The case hardened trigger and hammer are okay, too. Don't get oil on them - it fades the colors of the case hardening.
 
Thanks for the assurances

I didn't think anything was wrong, but I'm glad to hear it from those who know...

Here's a detail photo of the triigger and firing pin arm for anyone who may be following this thread. The rest of the gun is really a nice blue, although it doesn't look that way on the photo. But the trigger's look is evident. It does look as if it's been hardened. Also, the red things are snap caps in the chambers.

Thanks, folks! Boy does this gun shoot well!!!
 
wiggling firing pin

"If it didn't wiggle, then that would likely be a problem."

Mike, so I guess Colt made their revolvers differently as my Police Positive Special's pin doesn't wiggle.

Much to learn . . .
 
Smith pin supposed to wiggle.
Allows for slight misalignment of hammer to hole in breechface relationship.

Sam
 
Thirties,

Colt's design is different, and takes into account a fixed firing pin on the hammer.

Smith & Wesson's takes into account, as CR Sam notes, the fact that movement is expected.

Normally when you see a snapped firing pin on an S&W, it accompanies one that has frozen into the hammer and won't wiggle.

In the past 5 years I've replaced 2 broken S&W firing pins. In both cases, the pin was rusted or crudded firmly into place.

I can't even tell you the number of Colt owners who have asked me about this upon purchasing a Smith & Wesson...

"Mike, would you look at my Smith? I think the firing pin's broken, or going to fall out...." :)
 
'The horror--the horror!'

Another pesky K-frame 'problem' solved. Thirties, you need to go buy a low-bucks clone semiauto with cheap aftermarket mags, cheap ammo, and bubba-style mods--and bring some REAL problems to our attention.

Can't be having these high-quality fully functional guns cluttering up a perfectly good site. The silence would be deafening.
 
Folks, I much appreciate the firing pin seminar . . . the Colt was my first revolver, and the Smith M10 my second. You have heard these many times, so thanks for clueing me in this time.

I continue to be amazed at the tremendously deep font of knowledge here on TFL.

As one who, up to now, has owned and shot only semiauto pistols, it's a surprise to me how well these two revolvers funtion and how accurately they shoot. I never knew! I also like the feel of shooting a .38 special revolver.

My next exploration will be in the handloading area. I'm going to start with .38 special plinking and target shooting with an emphasis on lighter loads. am reading several reloading books now, and will visit a friend who has a set up.

For me, guns aren't primarily for self defense, but for sport and as a hobby.

Thanks again.
 
NICE GUN! I think it was mine! Maybe not, but it looks just like one I traded in a while back. Anyway, they are very accurate, the trigger is great, and the sights are very good. On mine, the 125- 130 grainers would be poa at 22-25 yards, and the 158 would be about 3 inches high. At about 25 FEET the 158 would be poa. No matter what, never get rid of that gun. All of a sudden the trigger on every other gun will stink, and nothing will be as accurate. The gun did not have much problem hitting milk jugs at 50 yards, and 4 or 5 out of 6 would go into a 3 inch circle at 23 yards. I was probably the reason it was not 6 out of 6. Mine shot the Golden eagle Federal ammo very well. Enjoy the gun and thanks for the pics.


Any Cal!
 
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