Cva drum n firing issues

[Smokinfeathers]

a friend gave me this yesterday that came in a multi gun trade somebody has buggered up the drum prob took it out before. The nipple looks new but it will not pop a cap, I turned the drum a little trying to get it to fire but no such luck. I can snap on it 10 times n it not go off but isn’t really making a mark on the cap don’t know if nipple is to short but doesn’t reall appear to be

Any suggestions on how to get it back up n running? Or is it just a wall hanger? 1st gen cva with made in USA on the barrel double wedges 3 screws in the patch box n double finger grooves on trigger gaurd

 

[Carbon 6]

Replace the nipple for starters.

 

[Carbon 6]

You might also try loosening the screw that holds the lock on slightly, if they are too tight it slows the lock down to the point it won't fire.

 

[stewart.leach]

Often the problem is built up gunk. After checking to be sure that the rifle is unloaded, can you blow air down the barrel and out through the nipple or drum? Can you remove the screw in the end of the drum and run a pipe cleaner through? Or remove the nipple and bend a pipe cleaner around the corner?

 

[stewart.leach]

Often the problem is built up gunk. After checking to be sure that the rifle is unloaded, can you blow air down the barrel and out through the nipple or drum? Can you remove the screw in the end of the drum and run a pipe cleaner through? Or remove the nipple and bend a pipe cleaner around the corner?

 

[Grenadier1758]

Simple steps first.
1. Verify that the flash channel is clear. After verifying that there is no load in the rifle, run a damp patch down the bore. You should hear air rush out of the nipple. This step isn't necessary to solve the problem, but to verify that the gun is unloaded and that once we get the caps to fire, there is a clear flash channel.
2. How quickly does the hammer fall on the cap? It should move pretty fast and crush the cap on the nipple. CVA locks are notoriously soft, but generally perform okay on caps. Loosen the lock bolt and the tap on the bolt to possibly move the lock out.
3. If that doesn't work then remove the lock. Is there a any binding or rust seen on the lock internals? Any caked on grease that is gumming the movement of lock parts? Loosen the screws on the bridle by a quarter or half turn. The bridle could be binding the tumbler. Is the sear rubbing on the inside of the lock mortise? Loosening the lock bolt should have freed that up, but check anyway.
4. Look into the cavity in the nose of the hammer. Any old caps or built up fouling? Scrape it to verify the nose of the hammer is clean.
5. Is the hammer striking the cap? Is the hammer being stopped before it strikes the cap? Look for rubbing of the hammer on the wood.
6. How does the cap fit on the nipple? By the tenth snapping, the cap should be seated and firing even if the nipple is mushroomed. Get a new nipple anyway.

 

[stewart.leach]

Often the problem is built up gunk. After checking to be sure that the rifle is unloaded, can you blow air down the barrel and out through the nipple or drum? Can you remove the screw in the end of the drum and run a pipe cleaner through? Or remove the nipple and bend a pipe cleaner around the corner?

 

[Carbon 6]

From my understanding the caps are not going off. If this is correct it can only be one of 3 things.
1. The caps are all bad (try new caps)
2. The hammer isn't hitting the caps ( replace the nipple with a longer one and verify that it is hitting it.)
3. The hammer isn't hitting the nipple and cap hard enough ( this can be caused by a tight lock bolt, a weak mainspring or a build up of spent stuck caps in the hammer face cup.)

You can get a new nipple from track of the wolf, and a new lock from Deer Creek.

 

[Grenadier1758]

I missed thinking of the possibility of bad caps. Good call C6.

Smokingfeathers should try his caps on a different caplock to see if they work in another gun.

 

[Smokinfeathers]

My caps work fine on all my other percussion guns n fit tight, it’s not loaded, fixing to take it apart n give it a good cleaning and order another nipple, I had some extra nipples for my tcs but it’s the wrong thread they didn’t fit, the hammer is falling fast n hitting hard but not hitting the cap it appears

 

[Smokinfeathers]

Forgot had a traditions 32 and stole the nipple out of it n works just fine now!

 

[Carbon 6]

Forgot had a traditions 32 and stole the nipple out of it n works just fine now!

Glad you got it working.

fixing to take it apart n give it a good cleaning

I missed one other condition that could cause the caps to not go off, that is if the lock is overly dirty or corroded.
Cleaning and inspecting the entire gun before shooting is highly recommended.

 

[Sinner]

Sometimes all it takes is talking about it to remember what we forgot...

 

[mooman76]

By the way, if you didn't already know, that's a CVA Mountain rifle. Best production gun CVA ever sold IMO.

 

[Smokinfeathers]

I like it shoots well n feels good n the hand

 

[Eddie2002]

Check the face of the hammer, sometimes spent caps will lodge there and even build up causing miss fires. I had that problem with a basket case CVA Mountain rifle I picked up. Had to dig four spent caps out of the cup that hits the nipple. They were covered with a build up of carbon and couldn't be seen till I dug them out with a knife point. Got it working after a little love. Nice rifle you got there, mine is a second generation with the round ram rod sleeves.
Just wondering if your lock and stock are factory marked with the same assembly number.