About a month ago I ordered a new Traditions trapper .50 cal percusion pistol from Midsouth shooters supply. When it arrived I noticed that the hammer did not align with the nipple. Since it was a new gun I sent it back to Traditions under warranty (that cost me $11). After a 2 1/2 week wait it came back. At first glance it looked OK. When I started to break it down to clean out the storage grease I noticed it didn't look right. The hammer was centered on the nipple but at an odd angle. Closer examination revealed that the lock plate was bent. At this point it became apparant what the "gunsmith" at Traditions had done. Rather than remove the hammer and re-shape it, he just bent it while in the gun. Of course the lock plate, being thinner than the hammer, bent. This put the hammer centered on the nipple but all cock eyed.
Rather than send it back (probably to the same "gunsmith"), I fixed it my self. This required the use of a press and brass drift to remove the hammer, use of a tourch to bend the hammer, press to strighten the lock plate, and the press to re-install the hammer. Fortunatly I got it right on on the first try and didn't have to take it appart again. I noticed that the blue created from heating blended with the case hardened finish pretty good (the case hardened finish had quite a bit of blue in it). You would have to look close to tell.
Maybe this is what I should of done in the first place.
Rather than send it back (probably to the same "gunsmith"), I fixed it my self. This required the use of a press and brass drift to remove the hammer, use of a tourch to bend the hammer, press to strighten the lock plate, and the press to re-install the hammer. Fortunatly I got it right on on the first try and didn't have to take it appart again. I noticed that the blue created from heating blended with the case hardened finish pretty good (the case hardened finish had quite a bit of blue in it). You would have to look close to tell.
Maybe this is what I should of done in the first place.