S&W Model 19

festus

March 09, 2011 21:00

What is my Smith&Wesson Model 19, 3" barrel, nickel finish, NEVER fired complete with box worth?

Thank you.

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  festus

  March 09, 2011 21:00

  Is the firing pin "pinned in the hammer" supposed to be spring loaded to where it will be pulled down if you move it? On mine, it is free floating. Just looked at a model 686 and it is spring loaded. You can pull it up but it always swivels back down, you can feel the spring pressure on it. Just wondered if the model 19 should do the same.

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  RCrosby

  March 10, 2011 03:26

  ssmag,
  The pin on my vintage 24 is spring loaded; the one on my old K-38 is not. Pretty sure you're all right, but I'm sure voices more in the know will be along shortly.

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  azpowerwagon

  March 10, 2011 03:35

  It won't make a difference. S&W went through a spring-no spring phase with some if its sub-model changes, ie..19-1,-2,-3 etc.
  Not sure which sub-models. As long as the firing pin pivots freely you're good to go.

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  beantownshootah

  March 10, 2011 11:54

  Don't have it on me to check, but I'm about 95% sure that the pin-nose on my 19-5 is free floating. (I'll check later than repost).
  
  In fact, I think the pins on my 19-3 and 19-4 are also free-floating.
  
  But whether those are or not, I am fairly sure that a free-floating hammer nose *IS* normal for at least some versions of the model 19 and as long as the gun goes "bang" when you pull the trigger you should be fine.
  
  Edit: Just checked. 19-3, 19-4, and 19-5 all have the wiggly "floating" firing pin. They all seem to function 100%
  
  Smith 19-5:
  

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  givette

  March 10, 2011 12:13

  Although I can't address the model 19 specifically, I pulled out three S&W's just to get a 'feel' for the question.
  
  .44 S&W Hand Ejector (5-screw .44 magunum)-spring loaded
  .38 S&W Model 36-free floating*
  .44 S&W Hand Ejector 'New Century' (triple lock)-free floating*
  
  Note: the New Century was a no expense spared example of workmanship in fit and finish. And it didn't have the spring loaded feature.
  
  Conclusion: S&W tried to enhance performance during the post-war years by 'steadying' the firing pin, and abandoned the concept due to negative reliability gain. Joe
  
  
  *single axis free-float. Not true gimbal

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  festus

  March 10, 2011 14:46

  Thanks folks, the gun shoots fine. I bought it new years ago "1984" and just happened to notice it and was just wondering.

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