How to change locks in a double barrel .50 caliber rifle

[ormond tony]

I had a right lock go bad on my double barrel .50 caliber percussion rifle. It would not lock in full cock position. I got a new one from Deer Creek Products. In putting the right one on, each lock tock a life of its own. One would not catch in any position when both were installed or both would not lock in half or full cock positions or either trigger would not work (can't pull), take them off and both work fine.
Can anyone direct me to a video or printed instructions on how to put in locks on a double barrel percussion rifle?
Thanks.

 

[Rudyard]

I cant direct you to any video or printed instructions .But I would suggest you remove the locks , use a candle to soot up the scears in turn them try first one then the other . What the soot will tell you is where each catches the blade of the respective trigger and you may find that the scear arm is so much longer that they impede each other .
Rudyard

 

[Rudyard]

I should add that swopping locks as if there all standard is not usual & that they vary greatly .You would be wise to seek a local gun maker who understands muzzleloaders few modern gun smiths are less likley to know of such guns . If your double is modern made such as Petersoli offer this will help those familiar with them .
Rudyard

 

[tallpine]

I'd start with the trigger, pull the trigger and trigger plate off and see if it will cock. You may need to shim the trigger plate.

 

[ormond tony]

I put the right (new) lock on and observed the bar through the absent left lock. The bar does go through the appropriate trigger blade and to the left trigger blade. Thanks for the info. I will attempt to shorten the scear on the right one a little at a time.
I queried the forum(s) for gunsmiths in central Florida and got no responses.
You can teach an old dog new tricks.

 

[Col. Batguano]

.......You can teach an old dog new tricks.

But they tend to be grouchy, don't see as well, and take longer to learn them.

 

[SDSmlf]

I put the right (new) lock on and observed the bar through the absent left lock. The bar does go through the appropriate trigger blade and to the left trigger blade. Thanks for the info. I will attempt to shorten the scear on the right one a little at a time.
I queried the forum(s) for gunsmiths in central Florida and got no responses.
You can teach an old dog new tricks.

Do you know why the original right lock would not hold at full cock? Broken sear? Broken tumbler? Something loose? Maybe some photographs would help. You may also want to let folks know what gun you have and which replacement lock you purchased.

 

[ormond tony]

Pretty sure it was a broken tumbler. It would lock on half cock but not on full unless you wiggled, jostled, etc. I compared to the left lock at there seemed to be a piece of metal that would come down and help lock it at full cock that wasn't visible on the right one. Then I wouldn't trust it to hold as I put cap on.
I cut 1/16 off sear and both locks seem to be working. I may have to cut another 1/16 off cause it seems to be a bit tight. I got the lock at 75 dollars at deer creek.
My wife can attest to Col. batguano's observation.

 

[ormond tony]

Continued: It is a CVA (made in spain) .50 caliber double barrel rifle Express. I bought it from a pawn shop that is 90 percent gun store. Both locks worked fine for about 20 rounds. The right one refused to lock on full cock. I eventually juggled the trigger and hammer to enable a lock on full cock. But I did not want to continue as eventually, as soon as I loaded and placed a cap on the nipple, the hammer would release and I'd shoot something I didn't want to. Deer Creek had the right lock that fit (after shortening the sear). I took the bad lock and eventually saw a piece of the tumbler (I think) move downwards at full cock. That enabled locking. But it had to be jiggled. I don't know enough about locks to take it apart. All's well.

 

[Grenadier1758]

If the tumbler was not broken then it sounds as if you have a fly in the tumbler of your CVA Express. Most likely the grease in the fly has dried up and the fly is sticking. Look at your lock and at the half cock notch. Is there a recessed section? That is where the fly is installed to keep the sear from dropping into the half cock notch after releasing the hammer at full cock. While there is little to no need for a fly in a gun with a single trigger, the manufacturing efficiency of having all locks containing a fly means that all locks will have a fly in the tumbler whether it is needed or not.

 

[nhmoose]

A little fitting and wood removal may all that is needed besides a detail clean of the locks.

 

[ormond tony]

Latest update: I cleaned and lubed the lock/fly. It still would not drop after a few hammer cocks. I was cocking it for the fourth time to see movement and then "sprangggggggg". the main spring broke where it curves backward. When that happened, the fly dropped into position at full cock when I tried the hammer without the main spring. It dropped every time. ??????? Now I need a main spring. Oh well. At least things are starting to look up in 2021.