Becky lock

[Rifleman1776]

My wife's rifle has a small Becky style lock on it from R.E. Davis.
On every shot (and I do mean EVERY) the cap gets stuck in the hammer recess. I want to open up the recess to a larger diameter and then cut a front notch.
I am reluctant to use a drill for the enlargement as this might cut a concave into the hitting portion of the hammer and cause misfires.
Does this mean I should use a mill cutter? I don't have a milling machine but I do have a drill press and a machinist vise.
I also don't have a small high speed grinder (dremel type). How would y'all suggest I go about cutting the notch?
BTW, I checked with Davis, they do not have a replacement hammer with notch.

 

[necchi]

You can get just the Dremel cutting discs and the bit that holds'm at many hardware or Fleet lumber supplies an chuck it in any drill.
http://www.google.com/search?q=dre...ox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7GGIH

 

[Deadeye]

It might be that the hole is too deep. Sometimes i've found that taking a little off the depth of the hole will stop the caps from sticking.
Flaring the hole wider at the front with a dremel and a stone will also help.
Deadeye

 

[Rifleman1776]

You can get just the Dremel cutting discs and the bit that holds'm at many hardware or Fleet lumber supplies an chuck it in any drill.
http://www.google.com/search?q=dre...F-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7GGIH[/quote]

I think I have a cutting disc somewhere. I also have a drill press and a, kinda big, flexible shaft. I'll try setting the dp to high speed and trying that.

 

[Paul R]

CAREFUL! Those flex shaft cutters have a real strong tendency to jump to where you don't want them to cut. Don't ask how I know.
Place the worked on piece in a vise or clamp & brace your hands on something close so you can just ease the cutter to where you want to cut. They don't take much pressure to cut.

Paul

 

[Rifleman1776]

OK, thanks. Good tip.
I do have a machinists vice for the hammer, will steady my hands somehow.
BTW: and I'll wear eye protection.

 

[LRB]

You can also start the widening with a drill bit, and finish with another bit of the same size, ground flat on the point. Why can't you file a notch in?

 

[ApprenticeBuilder]

Why can't you file a notch in?

:thumbsup:

Actually I would not even enlarge the hole, reduce the depth to the same as the thickness of a cap and then file a notch, then take files and smooth the edges towards the inside.

If I were doing it

 

Before you go buggering up the hammer, try upping or reducing your load by 10 grains. The other thing to consider is possibly a new nipple, or a different brand of primer. Then a slit cut into the top of the hammer recess might be of help. Give it a try the Becky is a fine lock, and is not the problem.

Bill

 

[ApprenticeBuilder]

Before you go buggering up the hammer, try upping or reducing your load by 10 grains. The other thing to consider is possibly a new nipple, or a different brand of primer. Then a slit cut into the top of the hammer recess might be of help. Give it a try the Becky is a fine lock, and is not the problem.

Bill

Interesting concept,

I was taught that the above mentioned treatment was the proper way to finish a caplock

 

You're correct, a common fix was the notch in the hammer. Earlier hammers didn't have it as early caps were made of thicker copper. Over time production produced thinner material. If the nipple hole was enlarged, then blowback caused the cap to expand in the hammer indent, also the pressure forced the hammer back. That's not a good thing. The simplest fix was to cut the notch to relieve the blowback pressure, and direct it away from the shooter.

Bill

 

[Rifleman1776]

Before you go buggering up the hammer, try upping or reducing your load by 10 grains. The other thing to consider is possibly a new nipple, or a different brand of primer. Then a slit cut into the top of the hammer recess might be of help. Give it a try the Becky is a fine lock, and is not the problem.

Bill

This is only a .40 cal. and we are down to 25 gr. 3Fg Swiss for the load. Testing for accuracy might change that.
I will be putting in a 'hot shot' style nipple as soon as it arrives (maybe today). I'll check cap vs. recess depth and can change that if necessary. I still plan to saw/file/chew a notch in the front. If nothing else, it will give access to pick the cap remnants out.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Before you go buggering up the hammer, try upping or reducing your load by 10 grains. The other thing to consider is possibly a new nipple, or a different brand of primer. Then a slit cut into the top of the hammer recess might be of help. Give it a try the Becky is a fine lock, and is not the problem.

Bill