Taurus model 83 in .38 Special

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ETex2
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Location: Rowlett

Taurus model 83 in .38 Special

Post by ETex2 »

I just sold a Taurus revolver, and he brought it back saying someone told him it had a broken firing pin spring. This model has the floating frame-mounted firing pin, and it is "loose". Basically, it rattles back and forth a bit when you shake it. It will protrude maybe 1/16" sometimes from the frame. He claims the spring should keep the pin taught and it shouldn't rattle. I haven't shot it in about 3 or 4 months, but the gun has always shot fine for me. I gave him his money back since I kinda had seller's remorse anyway for selling it. I'm not worried since Taurus will fix it for free if it is broken.

Personally, I'm thinking this guy is a little nutty based on other things he's told me, but I'm wondering. Aren't these floating firing pins supposed to do that? Haven't had a chance to take it to the range yet, just wanted some opinions here. Thanks!
Rex B
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Re: Taurus model 83 in .38 Special

Post by Rex B »

Look at an exploded parts diagram and see if it shows a spring.
If so, it's broken.
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“Sometimes there is no alternative to uncertainty except to await the arrival of more and better data.” C. Wunsch
ETex2
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Re: Taurus model 83 in .38 Special

Post by ETex2 »

It has a spring, but it's not broken. I put 50 rounds through this gun yesterday and it did just fine. There was a dealer at the show in Mesquite Saturday who said that free movement of the floating firing pin by this tiny amount is normal in this revolver, and the Rossi revolvers as well. This gun is a sweet shooter for me. I'm gonna put it right back in it's old home in the night stand and keep it there.
TxD
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Re: Taurus model 83 in .38 Special

Post by TxD »

ETex2 wrote:It has a spring, but it's not broken. I put 50 rounds through this gun yesterday and it did just fine. There was a dealer at the show in Mesquite Saturday who said that free movement of the floating firing pin by this tiny amount is normal in this revolver, and the Rossi revolvers as well. This gun is a sweet shooter for me. I'm gonna put it right back in it's old home in the night stand and keep it there.
With all due respect to the gun dealer you spoke with in Mesquite, I believe the firing pin spring in your gun is not working properly.

The purpose of this spring is to keep the firing pin retracted in the frame until hit by the hammer, or in your case, hammer/ transfer bar.
If the pin protrudes into the frame 1/16" as you stated in your 1st post, this is not a
"tiny" amount and the spring is weak from firing/dry firing or is broken.

Think about this. If the pin is protruding into the frame and you close the cylinder with
ammo loaded, the case heads can contact the protruding pin causing a bent, broken or distorted tip.
Again the purpose of the spring is to retract the pin completely into the frame.

And last, the fact that the gun fires in the present condition has no bearing on the spring problem.
Hope this helps.
Black Rifles Matter
ETex2
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Location: Rowlett

Re: Taurus model 83 in .38 Special

Post by ETex2 »

TxD wrote:
ETex2 wrote:It has a spring, but it's not broken. I put 50 rounds through this gun yesterday and it did just fine. There was a dealer at the show in Mesquite Saturday who said that free movement of the floating firing pin by this tiny amount is normal in this revolver, and the Rossi revolvers as well. This gun is a sweet shooter for me. I'm gonna put it right back in it's old home in the night stand and keep it there.
With all due respect to the gun dealer you spoke with in Mesquite, I believe the firing pin spring in your gun is not working properly.

The purpose of this spring is to keep the firing pin retracted in the frame until hit by the hammer, or in your case, hammer/ transfer bar.
If the pin protrudes into the frame 1/16" as you stated in your 1st post, this is not a
"tiny" amount and the spring is weak from firing/dry firing or is broken.

Think about this. If the pin is protruding into the frame and you close the cylinder with
ammo loaded, the case heads can contact the protruding pin causing a bent, broken or distorted tip.
Again the purpose of the spring is to retract the pin completely into the frame.

And last, the fact that the gun fires in the present condition has no bearing on the spring problem.
Hope this helps.
Thanks. After reading your post I went and looked at the pin again. The actual extension out of the frame is probably less than 1/16. More like half that really, maybe less. It's not enough where the case heads would ever come into contact with it, I checked. When the pin withdraws into the frame it is flush, but when shaken it sometimes protudes. I guess I could send it back to Taurus for a new spring? Takes 5 weeks and it's free of course.
Rex B
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Re: Taurus model 83 in .38 Special

Post by Rex B »

I think I'd try to replace the spring myself.
That rattle would bother me, but so would shipping my pistol off for 5 weeks at my expense.
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“Sometimes there is no alternative to uncertainty except to await the arrival of more and better data.” C. Wunsch
CHLSteve
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Re: Taurus model 83 in .38 Special

Post by CHLSteve »

FWIW, my Taurus 85 firing pin doesn't rattle, wiggle, or move whatsoever. Just FYI.
ac-mech
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Re: Taurus model 83 in .38 Special

Post by ac-mech »

i had to sent a pistol back to Taurus and when i called them they gave me a Fedex # and i did'nt have to pay shipping at all, and i had my gun back in a week.
Hope this help..
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