testing M629 for light firing pin strikes

[gunorthopod]

My Smith 629 suddenly developed light strikes with very inconsistent cartridge ignition.Also,I noted that double action pull was curiously light.Revolver only has 300 rds through it.Took it home and removed grips.Found that the mainspring set screw was about three turns loose;also tightened two loose sideplate screws.Trigger pull not as light after the above.

Problem:I hate to wait two weeks til I can get back to the range to evaluate my 'smithing.Would there be any harm or danger if I would go out to the garage and try firing a resized case with primer and no powder or bullet(safety glasses and earmuffs,of course)? Is this unsafe,insane,or all of the above?Would like to hear from senior very experienced members.Thanks a bunch.

 

[Zander]

My guess is that you've already found the problem and corrected it. I'd recommend that you use a little blue Loc-Tite on the offending screw threads so that your problem doesn't show up again.

I don't see how your test method would cause a problem, but if you're really concerned about the "bang", kill the test primer with some WD-40. Then "fire" your test case and compare the firing pin strike with an older case that you know was fired with one pull of the trigger.

Don't mean to be obsessive, but do not...DO NOT...violate any safety rules when you test the primer, "dead" or otherwise.

On the side-plate screws...do they show any sign of damage or wear? I don't think I've ever had a properly torqued side-plate screw back out if there wasn't a problem with threads on the screw or frame. Not everyone uses the proper tool [and your M629 may be of recent mfr. and simply suffering QC problems].

Be sure and let us know if your fix works...

 

[gunorthopod]

Thank you Zander.The fix worked.The 629 is up and running.No problem using primed case without powder/bullet...just makes a "pop" like a squib load.No backed out primer and no problem with case extraction.