Fixings Locks

[Walkabout]

I have CVA 12 gauge coach gun. Apparently, the person who built it didn't do a very good job. (I got it on a trade.) The left lock won't go to full cock reliably and the hammer isn't square to the nipple, it's off center. How can I fix this? Is there someone I can send it to? My regular gunsmith takes forever to get things done. Thanks

 

[tenngun]

You can fiddle with it yourself.
Clean the lock mortise. Put on some bright red lipstick inside the lock, see if it’s binding on something you can remove yourself
A propane torch can help you twist you hammer just a tad

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

Yes, check the inletting on the left lock, as likely there is wood hitting the sear bar - VERY common complaint on kit builds.

And agree 100%, you could remove the cock, heat is with a propnane/mapp torch and bend it a little.

 

[stank]

If you are going to check the left lock you might as well check the right also. Bending the hammer is easy also. Take a photo of it and how it is off center before you remove it. Remove it and heat with a torch. Bend a little. Let it cool and place it on the tumbler but don’t tighten it down all the way. Compare to the photo you took and if it looks good tighten it down to check it. If all is good. Remove it and put it in your oven at 350 degrees for a couple hours then shut off the oven and let it cool. Don’t open the oven door. Leave it closed. Never quench the hammer to cool it off. It could get brittle.
it’s easier than it might sound.

 

[2 shots]

might want to remove the lock and see if it works out of the gun first. if it does not then no need to mess with inletting. seems most cva hammer/ nipples dont line up perfectly, if it pops a cap all is well. also if lock works out of gun then fixing inletting may align the hammer better. does it have to go in or out ?? fwiw

 

[ord sgt]

Is the lock plate flat or does it have a small bend? If it is not flat, that could be moving the hammer off centre. The lock plate may have been over tightened by the former owner.

 

[tenngun]

Too at the top of the inlet there may be too much wood left. As the cock falls it can be pushed to the side. I don’t know if this is a feature on your gun, most locks have a shoulder on the cock that rest against the lock plate

 

[LSLibelo]

I just received a TC Hawken kit stock purchased on eBay that was binding the lock.

The TC mortise had an area outlined on the bottom that had not been touched, but that was binding the hammer spring.

After removing a tiny amount of material the stock no longer impeaded the hammer and all is well.

 

[Walkabout]

Here's a picture of the hammers, they don't even line up with each other.

 

[ZUG]

My first guess is that the left lock is not inlet properly hence kicking out the hammer nose. As for both hammers coming to full cock and being equal I would not sweat it as long as it sets off the caps.