Need help with T/C lock

[Mike Boettcher]

I've been dreading this day. I have a T/C Hawken in .45, a wonderful gun with no problems until today. When I pulled the hammer to the full cocked position sometimes it will not stay or it stays for a second or two then falls all the way to the nipple.

It scared the manure out of me today as I had just put a cap on the nipple and the hammer fell unexpectedly. I'm grateful my dad taught me about gun safety.

I've never worked on a lock or had one out of the stock. Have no idea what to do or how to do it.

The hair trigger (the one in front) has very, very little play in it. I need to adjust that somehow, but my main concern right now is how do I get my hammer to stay cocked.

I need some help. Thx!

 

[nhmoose]

Clean the lock fully. springs stick IMHO in many TC locks clean and they work like new.

 

[MSW]

I would go with a good cleaning. even a little bit of 'crud' (that's a technical term, I believe) can wreak havoc on the internal symphony of a lock.

if this doesn't work, try adjusting the little screw between the triggers.

good luck with your project.

 

[Mike Boettcher]

Clean the lock fully. springs stick IMHO in many TC locks clean and they work like new.

Is there a video on how to do that? I would have no problem taking everything apart...it's getting it back together correctly that would worry me.

 

[majg1234]

just take it out of the stock and inspect closely,sometimes just a spray down with non chlorinated brake cleaner and a relubrication will fix this.The TC locks are pretty easy to work on just look closely and take pictures as you go along

 

[nhmoose]

I don't know about a video as I am an old guy and figurer takedowns without.

Sorry but take a couple of photo's as you take it apart. there are places springs will get crud and rust so it does not work well.

Good luck or send it to a gunsmith who can fix the problem, but that will cost for the service as it should. Getting it working is the goal.

 

[Mike Boettcher]

I'm curious does the trigger mechanism also come out after I remove the lock? Is there any order as to what should come out first?

 

[nhmoose]

Mike the lock comes out from the side. The trigger comes out of the bottom after taking the trigger guard off.

TC's can guck up with rust and other dried grease.; The coil springs in the drilled holes will dry out, dis-assemble or soak in a good solvent.

Without hand on guidance sorry but all I can do.

Others help?????



.

 

[Mike Boettcher]

I'm working on it now...got the lock out and there is some, what looks like some light weight grease or oil on the parts. I'm also taking pics...we'll see how it goes...can't hurt it much as it ain't work'in right anyways.

 

[Mike Boettcher]

Looks like I need to remove the three screws...they must be holding, what looks like, a plate down. Yes?

 

[curator]

Mike,

Take the barrel out of the stock first. The lock is held in by a single screw from the opposite side of the stock. If you don't remove the barrel, you will have a difficult time getting the lock out. Once you do, you will see why. Often, this problem is caused by someone over-tightening the lock screw or the wood swelling around the sear from water or cleaning solvent getting inside. Tighten the screws inside the lock carefully snug, not gorilla tight! Clean the lock with a toothbrush and oil it lightly. Check to see that it works outside of the gun. Then look closely inside the stock where the lock was fitted to see if any wood is bearing against the sear. You might need to scrape a bit of it out to create proper clearance.

 

[jethro224]

I've never... had one out of the stock.

That is most likely the problem.
Now that you have seen how easy the lock is to remove, make a habit of removing it and cleaning and lubing it. An old toothbrush works wonders. I clean mine under the hot water coming straight from the tap. Dry well and lightly oil the works.

While you have yours out check to make sure the screws are snug in the lock. Loose screws can cause your problem.
Another thing that can cause that problem is a bit of crud on the fly. The fly is a little bitty piece of metal that is under that plate you are asking about. If you remove the plate be sure and don't lose the fly.
I'd try just snugging the screws and cleaning the works with some solvent and an old toothbrush before taking anything apart.

 

[Mike Boettcher]

I took the three screws out and removed the plate. Two of the three screws were a bit loose...There was some gunk in there...used an old tooth brush as you guys suggested and applied a very thin coat of Ballistol. Put everything back together...tightened but not over tightened the screws and the hammer is staying where it needs to be....not falling on its own.

I've only had this rifle less than a year...the previous owner must not have cleaned the lock. Now that I know how to remove and clean it...no problemo.

I appreciate the help.

How do I go about making the hair trigger so that it's not so touchy? Does the screw between the triggers adjust it?

 

[jethro224]

Does the screw between the triggers adjust it?

Yes. And it won't take much movement to change the adjustment.

Glad to hear your lock is working. :thumbsup:

 

[Zonie]

To increase the distance the front trigger needs to be pulled to release the rear "set" trigger, unscrew that little screw between the triggers.

It doesn't change the pull weight. Just the distance needed to fire the gun.

 

[necchi]

cute story Mike.

 

[Pete44ru]

I took the three screws out and removed the plate. Two of the three screws were a bit loose...There was some gunk in there...used an old tooth brush as you guys suggested and applied a very thin coat of Ballistol. Put everything back together...tightened but not over tightened the screws and the hammer is staying where it needs to be....not falling on its own.

I've only had this rifle less than a year...the previous owner must not have cleaned the lock. Now that I know how to remove and clean it...no problemo.

I appreciate the help.

How do I go about making the hair trigger so that it's not so touchy? Does the screw between the triggers adjust it?

Ya gotta love it, when a plan comes together - yesterday you wasn't, but today U R a gunsmith ! :wink:

 

[Prairieofthedog]

The TC locks are known to have the bridal screws loosen up.{the 3 screws on the L-shaped Bridal Plate}Clean,Tighten Screws and put lock back on and don't over tighten Lock screw.If that doesn't fix it,you need to reset your triggers.How to is in your TC Manuel.Good Luck.

 

[MSW]

aaargh! late to the party ... glad things worked out well ... take the gun out and make good smoke!
:grin:

 

[Mike Boettcher]

Well, just when I thought everything was good...it turns out it isn't.

I have discovered that my hammer won't stay in the full cocked position and if it does I can barely touch the back of the hammer and it falls. When I take the lock out of the stock and full cock the hammer it stays nice and tight. But with the lock in the stock the hammer won't stay in the full cocked position.

After looking at the stock and how everything works, my observation is this: I think the set trigger might be hitting the sear when I pull the hammer to the full cocked position. I'm thinking this because if I pull the set trigger first then fully cock the hammer it stays good and tight. I also see no wear on any of the wood where any lock parts might be rubbing.

Has anyone else experienced the set trigger hitting the sear? And if you have, what did you do to fix it? Thx!