Did you have a hammer block failure?

Mountaineer · 03-18-2009, 11:12 PM

We are trying to learn the extent to which PPK/PPKS owners have experienced the hammer block failure for which the current S&W recall has been initiated. Please answer the poll and make whatever comments are appropriate.

Have you personally experienced or are you aware of a hammer block failure on a PPK/PPKS and, if so, what was the manufacturer of the gun?

1. No, I have not experienced (or been aware of) a hammer block failure
2. I did experience a hammer block failure on a German Walther PPK
3. I did experience a hammer block failure on a Manuhrin PPK
4. I did experience a hammer block failure on an Interarms PPK
5. I did experience a hammer block failure on a S&W model PPK/PPKS

SELFDEFENSE · 03-19-2009, 11:43 PM

No. S&W model

Parabellus · 03-19-2009, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SELFDEFENSE

No. S&W model

Me either. Been avoiding that in favor of post-war Manuhrin and Interarms USA.

Mountaineer · 03-20-2009, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SELFDEFENSE

No. S&W model

I'm not sure what you mean?? You have not experienced a hammer block failure and you have an S&W model?

Mountaineer · 03-21-2009, 10:14 AM

Would the person reporting the hammer block failure on and S&W Model please give us some details? Was the hammer block broken/crushed? Or, did the hammer simply miss the block? Did it not deploy? Or, do you not know?

boatman268 · 03-21-2009, 06:33 PM

I did have a failure when I first bought the pistol. I was at a range however and of course had it aimed downrange.

Mountaineer · 03-21-2009, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatman268

I did have a failure when I first bought the pistol. I was at a range however and of course had it aimed downrange.

Thanks for reporting and, Welcome to the forum!

Do you have any idea what caused the failure? Was the hammer block broken? Did it just fail to engage? Did you continue to use it or send it in?

boatman268 · 03-22-2009, 09:53 AM

Its was over two years ago so bear with me. As I recall, it was only the second time I had shot the gun and I was manually pulling the hammer back to go to SA. Rather than shoot I had to secure the gun so I manually carefully lowered the hammer. I then engaged the Decocker and the gun discharged. I recall thinking "how stupid was that" meaning me not the gun.

I like the PPK/S and carry it quite often. I also have a Sig P239 and a Glock G26 and am very experienced with pistols. I have never had another problem with the gun.

KsThumper · 03-22-2009, 02:10 PM

If I am understanding this issue correctly:

The potential problem is that when the hammer is cocked and you manually rotate the safety lever from fire to safe, it is possible [probable] that the hammer will strike the firing pin, resulting in a discharge

, before the large chunk of metal [which is the safety/hammer block] engages.

Yes ? No ?

I have an Interarms PPK/S and have done the above without a discharge. In fact this is what I do if I have to infrequently 'decock' the gun. When the safety lever is rotated down from F to S, the hammer falls and the trigger moves slightly forward from its SA position to the DA position.

Any semi-auto that has a safety lever along the rear of the slide uses the hammer block principal. While having to pull the trigger while attempting to carefully lower the hammer maybe the only option with some gun designs; IMO, it is not a safe gun handling technique when there is an alternative.

I only pull the trigger when I want a bang. I also prefer semi-autos that have a manual safety and hammer-firing pin versus the striker-decocker trigger action. IMO, just safer for everyone all around.

Now, having been made aware of this potential problem, I will definitely make sure that the gun is pointed downrange when I de-cock using the safety lever.

Deputy · 03-22-2009, 03:33 PM

I've used both single and double action/decocker autos all my life (I'm 59). So I'm familiar with all styles of the safeties. When I carried S&W and Beretta autos with the hammer drop safety as an LEO, I ALWAYS eased the hammer down, rather than just letting it clack down. I also don't dry fire guns. But that's just me.

I haven't exerienced the hammer drop malfunction on my S&W PPK because I NEVER let the hammer drop down using the safety. I normally ease the hammer down while pointing it in a safe direction. So I probably will never experience this malfunction. Yeah, I gave the info to S&W and my gun is on the recall list. But I'm not all bajiggity about it.

Dep

View Poll Results: Before the recent S&W PPK/PPKS recall, had you experienced a hammer block failure?
No, I have not experienced (or been aware of) a hammer block failure	38	88.37%
I did experience a hammer block failure on a German Walther PPK	0	0%
I did experience a hammer block failure on a Manuhrin PPK	0	0%
I did experience a hammer block failure on an Interarms PPK	0	0%
I did experience a hammer block failure on a S&W model PPK/PPKS	5	11.63%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 43. You may not vote on this poll

03-18-2009, 11:12 PM	#1
Mountaineer Supporting Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia Posts: 109	Did you have a hammer block failure? We are trying to learn the extent to which PPK/PPKS owners have experienced the hammer block failure for which the current S&W recall has been initiated. Please answer the poll and make whatever comments are appropriate. Have you personally experienced or are you aware of a hammer block failure on a PPK/PPKS and, if so, what was the manufacturer of the gun? 1. No, I have not experienced (or been aware of) a hammer block failure 2. I did experience a hammer block failure on a German Walther PPK 3. I did experience a hammer block failure on a Manuhrin PPK 4. I did experience a hammer block failure on an Interarms PPK 5. I did experience a hammer block failure on a S&W model PPK/PPKS __________________ Shooting for 63 years!

03-21-2009, 10:14 AM	#5
Mountaineer Supporting Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia Posts: 109	Would the person reporting the hammer block failure on and S&W Model please give us some details? Was the hammer block broken/crushed? Or, did the hammer simply miss the block? Did it not deploy? Or, do you not know? __________________ Shooting for 63 years!

03-21-2009, 06:33 PM	#6
boatman268 Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 49	Yes, I have had a failure I did have a failure when I first bought the pistol. I was at a range however and of course had it aimed downrange.

03-22-2009, 09:53 AM	#8
boatman268 Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 49	Hammer block failure Its was over two years ago so bear with me. As I recall, it was only the second time I had shot the gun and I was manually pulling the hammer back to go to SA. Rather than shoot I had to secure the gun so I manually carefully lowered the hammer. I then engaged the Decocker and the gun discharged. I recall thinking "how stupid was that" meaning me not the gun. I like the PPK/S and carry it quite often. I also have a Sig P239 and a Glock G26 and am very experienced with pistols. I have never had another problem with the gun.

03-19-2009, 11:43 PM	#2
SELFDEFENSE Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: VA Posts: 447	No. S&W model

03-22-2009, 02:10 PM	#9
KsThumper Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 87	If I am understanding this issue correctly: The potential problem is that when the hammer is cocked and you manually rotate the safety lever from fire to safe, it is possible [probable] that the hammer will strike the firing pin, resulting in a discharge , before the large chunk of metal [which is the safety/hammer block] engages. Yes ? No ? I have an Interarms PPK/S and have done the above without a discharge. In fact this is what I do if I have to infrequently 'decock' the gun. When the safety lever is rotated down from F to S, the hammer falls and the trigger moves slightly forward from its SA position to the DA position. Any semi-auto that has a safety lever along the rear of the slide uses the hammer block principal. While having to pull the trigger while attempting to carefully lower the hammer maybe the only option with some gun designs; IMO, it is not a safe gun handling technique when there is an alternative. I only pull the trigger when I want a bang. I also prefer semi-autos that have a manual safety and hammer-firing pin versus the striker-decocker trigger action. IMO, just safer for everyone all around. Now, having been made aware of this potential problem, I will definitely make sure that the gun is pointed downrange when I de-cock using the safety lever. __________________ I'll keep my guns, freedom & money .... YOU CAN KEEP THE "CHANGE!"

03-22-2009, 03:33 PM	#10
Deputy Supporting Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Silver City, NM Posts: 1,758	I've used both single and double action/decocker autos all my life (I'm 59). So I'm familiar with all styles of the safeties. When I carried S&W and Beretta autos with the hammer drop safety as an LEO, I ALWAYS eased the hammer down, rather than just letting it clack down. I also don't dry fire guns. But that's just me. I haven't exerienced the hammer drop malfunction on my S&W PPK because I NEVER let the hammer drop down using the safety. I normally ease the hammer down while pointing it in a safe direction. So I probably will never experience this malfunction. Yeah, I gave the info to S&W and my gun is on the recall list. But I'm not all bajiggity about it. Dep

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