Rossi Model 351 in .38
 

Anyone familiar with this revolver? I bought mine new last year and like it fine. The only thing questionable is the firing pin. It has that a pressed metal piece that is riveted into the hammer. Some in other blogs have had problems with this breaking. I'm wondering when it will happen to mine. What I was wondering is if there is a standard hammer with a pointed firing pin built in that will interchange with this one so that it would remove the worry from it for me. Funny wording, I know, but to have this accurate little gun for self defense with the worry that the firing pin will break is not a positive feeling. Thanks for any input you have.

Dave

Dave- there have been thousands of tons or revolvers with a hammer mounted firing pin. Look at any of the S&W revolvers from the 1930's on. That bushing or rivet permits the pin to pivot as it is shoved thru the firing pin port- which a 1 piece hammer/firing pin would not do.

S&W M29 .44 MAG target hammer w/ pin, sear and stirrup. Works fine, has for many years.

http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/v...n/29hammer.jpg

Who would have thought......?? I'd never seen that feature on an S&W. I had a couple of revolvers over time that had flat faced hammers that hit a floating firing pin mounted in the gun. They always seemed to work very well. Thanks for the info.

Dave

I have a 629 from 1990 it also has that style firing pin. My 686 is from 1998 it has the flat hammer/ transfer bar style. I've had no problems with either.