Frustrations with my used TVM

[Robby]

I'd say your on the right track! :thumbsup:
Robby

 

[majg1234]

:thumbsup: Now let's fix the thing,you've gotten a lot of good advice her on how to fix the sight,pick one and go with it.I'd do 2 things first I'd use a small hammer to uncurl the dove tail by gently tapping it down,then if the sight was still loose I'd shim it with brass shim stock or buy a new sight, file the sight to fit tightly.I once fixed an old savage that looked worse using some shim stock and a lot of gentle hammer work it accounted for countless tree rats after the work.With the sight fixed you are on your way to lots of range time to get the thing sighted in ,loads decided on and finally hunting and shooting it.good luck and we are all here to help you on the journey to make this a usable tool. GOOD LUCK and enjoy the trip :hatsoff:

 

I believe it's on the APV video with Herschel House where he does dovetails the same way. Removes metal with a hacksaw, files it flat and then uses a chisel to lift the edge. Once the sight is in place he peens the metal back down. The rear sight on my new rifle was not to my liking (nothing the builder did, just personal preference) the builder sent me a new sight that ended up being lose in the dovetail. I took my lightest peening hammer and punch and just lightly worked it, stopping every so often to check the fit, till it was nice and tight. It took me all of 15 minutes.

 

[kopfjaeger]

I have three TVM's, a .32 southern rifle, a .50 early virginia rifle, and a .50 late lancaster grand rifle and I've had absolutely no issues with these rifles. And I've never had a problem with Matt, Toni, Richard, or Rod.

I feel the problem is to many inexperienced hands were messing with it.

 

[lakota]

Well it sounds like I may have been fibbed to by the previous owner. There is no record of him buying a Tennessee rifle, but they said it could have been bought off the rack at a show. So who knows how many folks have had thier paws on the rifle before me? They offered to look at it and fix it at my cost. I may take them up on it as a last resort. I am working on the sight right now. I had to make a punch out of a hex key but I have back to where it fits pretty tight. I think I may have to shim it to get it in there nice and secure. I am not sure how much I care about the lock not cocking without the trigger set. It seems a minor inconvenience. I do have it disassembled so maybe I should fiddle with it. I have worked on and refinished many beat up and abused T/C's so theres no reason I cant get this one up and running. The finish on the stock is pretty worn out so maybe I should look into that too. I have always wanted to try aqua fortis. The stock isnt a fancy piece of maple but there are a few areas that have some nice figure.

 

[lakota]

And again my appologies. I am embarassed by the way I carried on earlier in this thread. I have been very frustrated with my life since the loss of my career and last week was a complete disaster in particular. I think having the sight fall off was just one straw too many and there was probably a little venting going on there over more than just a broken rifle.

 

[silly goose]

It sounds to me like your sorting things out and moving forward. Nice job. I think your gonna end up liking that rifle.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Send to TVM and pay for the repairs. You will get a working rifle back and you will be happy with the results. They know what to do. Let them do it.

 

[lakota]

Here is what I got done.I took the trigger out and fiddled with it. So far it will cock without the triggers being set. Then I spent about 2 hours lightly tapping the shoulder of the dovetail back down and test fitting the sight. I found that I didnt have any flat punches that werent soft brass so I had to make one out of an old hex key.

I got it to where it to where the sight would go in tight but would still rattle in the dove tail. I took it back out and tried to shim the sight. Turns out that the thinnest shim I could make caused the slot to be too tight and I couldnt get the sight started. Then I found a thread on another forum about this very problem. I put the sight in the slot and centered it. Then I took a center punch and peened the dovetail down on to the sight shoulder. There is no play and it seems very sturdy now. Only time will tell if it is a permanent fix I guess. I now need to do a little touch up browning.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Good. Sorta.
Is it sighted?

 

[Dausener]

Good. Sorta.
Is it sighted? :redface:

That was my thought too. Make sure it where you want it before it is "unadjustable". Also, I hope the trigger issue is fixed and safe. It sounds as though you are making good progress. :wink:

 

[lakota]

Good. Sorta.
Is it sighted?

I guess I'll find out soon! The way it rattled around in there before I doubt she was ever truly sighted in since I have owned it!

 

[jbrowngunmaker]

lakota,
It's tricky but the trigger can be altered to cock the hammer unset. The trigger mainspring is too tight on the trigger. It can be ground off or the set screw loosened so there is some slack in the trigger. It will then "thump" the sear. I'm not sure what to recommend because I don't want to add to the problems. somebody jump in and help me out.

 

[54mountain]

On to the trigger problem, the trigger may be set in the wood to deep, back the screws holding the trigger bar outa little and see if that helps. if so add a thin shim between the trigger bar and the stock. As Jackie stated try backing the adjustment screw between the triggers also.

 

[kopfjaeger]

I had a flintlock once that you had to pull the set trigger first or the hammer wouldn't stay cocked back.

I removed the trigger assembly and adjusted the trigger assembly main spring screw ( it took a little time ) back and forth till it started working where I could cock the hammer back first then pull the set trigger. It wasn't hard to do just took a little time to get the adjustment right.

 

[jbrowngunmaker]

You're exactly right, Frank. The trigger should trip the sear by inerta instead of spring pressure. The set trigger needs to be a little loose.

 

[lakota]

So I am back to dredge this old thread up again. After I repaired the rear sight last summer I put this rifle away forgot about it and didnt shoot it.I started shooting my old caplock in preparation for the upcoming deer season.

Yesterday I got it down and took it out. I started shooting 10 shots at 30 yards with 50 grains of 3F powder and it was dead on. Then I moved back to about 60 yards and still dead on. Only 1 misfire but it was very humid and it happened after a few shoots and I forgot to clear the touch hole before it happened. So it looks like this rifle may be good to go.I am going to shoot it all summer and get to know it all over again. I would really like to hunt with it during the new October muzzleloader season this fall.

 

[cranky1]

I too have a tvm longrifle that I am a bit disappointed with.i had to re-cut the rear sight dovetail and replace the sight. looks like the front one is going to need the same. trigger needed some tinkering and the hammer needed to be bent. overall just stuff that I have been doing for years. the real puzzling thing is the fact that "m avance" and "50 cal" is stamped upside down on the left side of the barrel! I think i'll shut up now cheers.

 

[redneck]

as for the trigger you have described a single set one. it works just as u said. nothing wrong with it I had one on one my flints.

 

[Melanie Merritt]

That is very interesting, Pligrim. I know for a fact that TVM does not/or have they ever used a "stamp" to sign their barrels. Also I have never know them to "stamp" the caliber on the barrel. Could you provide pictures of this?