H&A underhammer hammer will not stay cocked???

[Needstuff03]

I recently received a h&a underhammer and noticed the hammer will not stay in the cocked position. I took it apart and don't see any thing broken or unusual wear. If you put some pressure on the back of the hammer it will stay cocked until you release the pressure. Does anyone have any ideas what could be the issues

 

[Needstuff03]

Here is a video of the issue

 

[rafterob]

Maybe something is gripping the trigger enough to keep it from engaging without that extra pressure you mention. Not knowing the layout of that mechanism I can't proffer an educated guess.

 

[M. De Land]

I recently received a h&a underhammer and noticed the hammer will not stay in the cocked position. I took it apart and don't see any thing broken or unusual wear. If you put some pressure on the back of the hammer it will stay cocked until you release the pressure. Does anyone have any ideas what could be the issues

The hammer full cock and trigger face angle needs correcting. It's kind of tricky so I'd recommend having some one with experience do the job for you. I have a match rifle built on the very same action.

 

[sheriff john]

Have had/shot these for over 50 years, still have one. About as simple a mechanism as possible, If the trigger "holds" while you push forward on the rear of the trigger, suspect the trigger may have something preventing it from engaging. As M. DeLand posted - don't try to re-cut notches yourself. On earlier ones, the large pin holding the barrel in the receiver is tapered. If driven out, it must be replaced the same way it came out.

Those are very reliable, accurate rifles in my experience. Always wear long sleeve on support arm when firing offhand and don't lose the brass cup surrounding the nipple. Good luck!

 

[hawkeye2]

A common problem with these is breaking the nose or sear portion of the trigger off. This usually is the result of a very slow and gentle trigger pull allowing the nose to strike the edge of the half cock notch. Some close up photos of the trigger and hammer will help pin down the issue, without them it's mostly guess work as to the actually problem. Pull the trigger all the way back so its nose is outside the stock for one photo.

 

[Mark Herman]

Agree with the angle of the trigger at the hammer notch. Only a little wear or a slight chip can put the trigger and hammer out of alignment. On some of my target rifles I eliminate the safety altogether to avoid hanging up or chipping the trigger. Only cocking on the line takes care of the safety issue.

 

[Needstuff03]

I'm uploading pictures of the trigger disassembled, I do not feel comfortable in changing geometry on the engagement surfaces. Do any of you all know a gunsmith that is knowledgeable and could preform such a task

 

[Grenadier1758]

Your full cock notch is rounded.

Where are you located? Maybe someone may know a gunsmith near you.

 

[hawkeye2]

Your full cock notch is rounded.

The trigger sear nose could probably stand a couple of licks too but it's difficult to see in the photos.

 

[Mark Herman]

Looks to me, from what can be seen, that the full cock notch is worn down to a point that it won't hold full cock. Two choices;
1)Try to re file the notch, difficult.
2)Replace the hammer, easy and less than $20 from Deer Creek Products.

 

[Needstuff03]

In located in northern ky

 

[Needstuff03]

mark i can't find a replacement hammer on deer creek products website

 

[Mark Herman]

Give them a call in Waldron Indiana. I know they cary parts as well as whole guns, I've bought from them before.

 

[Mark Herman]

Pecatonica may also have parts available.

 

[Needstuff03]

Deer creek products had them in stock, pecatonica only had actions available. Thanks guys

 

[Mark Herman]

I think that is going to take care of your problem.

 

[hawkeye2]

Don't throw away the old parts, they can be fixed someday.

 

[Needstuff03]

I'm a hoarder there nor going anywhere