Main spring issues

[romoshka]

Still working on, attempting to start working on, a Ky pistol kit stated by my father over 40 years ago. There was some work started before he died. There is a Ky rifle which is still in the box and untouched. This gave me access to to another lock which should be the same but there are not. The main spring (not certain that is the correct term) is longer on the pistol lock than on the rifle Locke though all other aspects appear identical. While I can compress and get the spring engaged on the rifle lock the cam won’t rotate enough to allow engagement of the main spring on the pistol lock. It appears that I will need to dismantle the cam and the hammer, compress the spring and reassemble the cam/hammer. Pistol lock on the left and rifle lock on the right

 

[BoomStick]

Lock on the left appears to have an incorrect spring. Even if you could fit it, it looks too long for the lock to operate.

Remove the mainspring, compress it (there's a spring vise for this but you may be able to use pliers). Then install the spring into the lock where the spring will rest properly on the tumbler (cam). You may need to tip the spring a bit as you're fitting it back onto the lock plate. Do not pull apart the hammer and tumbler unless a last resort.

While you have the spring off, thoroughly clean and buff the back of the plate. It should be as flat and smooth as possible.

 

[BoomStick]

Yours is the same lock as seen on page 2 of this thread: https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/...cky-long-rifle-kit.189104/page-2#post-2768066
ideally it should look like that.

 

[romoshka]

Lock on the left appears to have an incorrect spring. Even if you could fit it, it looks too long for the lock to operate.

Remove the mainspring, compress it (there's a spring vise for this but you may be able to use pliers). Then install the spring into the lock where the spring will rest properly on the tumbler (cam). You may need to tip the spring a bit as you're fitting it back onto the lock plate. Do not pull apart the hammer and tumbler unless a last resort.

While you have the spring off, thoroughly clean and buff the back of the plate. It should be as flat and smooth as possible.

Thank you for the reply. Why the warning to not disassemble the hammer and tumbler? Also in this world of builders are replacement springs even available?

 

[EC121]

You can disassemble the hammer and tumbler, but there is no reason to do it to install the mainspring. The spring on the left will hit the tumbler body before it reaches full cock.