trouble with .38 smith & wess

one555mail · 08-04-2007, 04:39 PM

i recently purchased an older model .38 and the rounds dont always go off the first time its fired, i'll have to cycle through the barrel a few times just to get all the rounds to shoot. is there any way to fix this problem without going to a gunsmith?

Triggerjerk · 08-04-2007, 05:09 PM

Others may be more familiar with this kind of thing than I am, but your firing pin is not hitting the primer solidly. Could be a worn firing pin or the cylinder has so much back to front play that it moves out of the way of the firing pin. I have seen both problems in old .32 caliber "Saturday Night Specials". Try to get your money back or get credit if you bought it from a gun shop. If you bought it private sale...the gunsmith in my area charges $100 per hour. Is this old gun worth that, even if a good gunsmith would take the job?

Muppet Assassin · 08-04-2007, 06:26 PM

I would have to agree I have seen the same thing myself and it was a bad pin. Get your money back or I hope you really like that weapon because its gonna cost ya some more money to fix that.

BamaBowTie · 08-04-2007, 10:59 PM

It's the mainspring. Order a new one off the web and they are easy to replace at home. No need to return the gun or take it to a gunsmith.

ArkansasHunter · 08-04-2007, 11:13 PM

HEY Guys Welcome to Gun and Game thanks for joining !!!...A.H

JMax · 09-02-2007, 02:36 PM

Make sure that the strain screw is tight then replace the hammer spring. Most light strikes are due to this common trigger job technique.

08-04-2007, 04:39 PM	#1
one555mail Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1	trouble with .38 smith & wess i recently purchased an older model .38 and the rounds dont always go off the first time its fired, i'll have to cycle through the barrel a few times just to get all the rounds to shoot. is there any way to fix this problem without going to a gunsmith?

08-04-2007, 05:09 PM	#2
Triggerjerk Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 978	Others may be more familiar with this kind of thing than I am, but your firing pin is not hitting the primer solidly. Could be a worn firing pin or the cylinder has so much back to front play that it moves out of the way of the firing pin. I have seen both problems in old .32 caliber "Saturday Night Specials". Try to get your money back or get credit if you bought it from a gun shop. If you bought it private sale...the gunsmith in my area charges $100 per hour. Is this old gun worth that, even if a good gunsmith would take the job? __________________ We old dogs can learn new tricks. We just may not like performng them. TJ

08-04-2007, 10:59 PM	#4
BamaBowTie Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Alexandria, AL Posts: 226 Images: 1	It's the mainspring. Order a new one off the web and they are easy to replace at home. No need to return the gun or take it to a gunsmith. __________________ "They call you paranoid until the worst happens, and in the aftermath they call you a hero." -Me

08-04-2007, 11:13 PM	#5
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas. Posts: 17,211	HEY Guys Welcome to Gun and Game thanks for joining !!!...A.H __________________ IN GOD WE TRUST NRA MEMBER

09-02-2007, 02:36 PM	#6
JMax Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 82	38 S&w Make sure that the strain screw is tight then replace the hammer spring. Most light strikes are due to this common trigger job technique.

08-04-2007, 06:26 PM	#3
Muppet Assassin Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ft. Wayne IN. Posts: 2	I would have to agree I have seen the same thing myself and it was a bad pin. Get your money back or I hope you really like that weapon because its gonna cost ya some more money to fix that.