Nipple and Hammer not Aligning

[Eric M]

I have a .50 cal TC Hawken and I recently attempted to replace the original barrel with a .50 cal TC Hawken roundball barrel 1:66 twist. I noticed that the hammer falls to the left of the nipple. The right side of the hammer falls at the center of the nipple. Is there something I can do to correct this?

 

[rafterob]

You can bend the hammer...carefully.

 

[ohio ramrod]

While some have been sucessful at bending hammers cold. I prefer removing them from the rifle holding them in a vice (with brass or copper shims )and heating them with a propane torch before bending. :idunno:

 

[Zonie]

Before bending the hammer you might want to remove the lock and then reinstall it.

If it wasn't fully seated in the lock mortice a very slight amount will tip the lockplate causing the hammer to be mis-located.

I've found that by just scraping some of the finish off of the bottom of the mortice will cause enough movement to get the hammer into a position where although not exactly centered it will clear the nipple and fire the cap reliably.

 

[Sinner]

You may need to shim the lock plate, if I understand the mis-alignment correctly. There are different ways to do this. A easy way is to use a very small brass screw or two, put them under the plate, re-install the plate and if necessary, repeat (while turning the screw(s) in or out to obtain correct alignment. Over tightening the lock plate screws can eventually cause mis-alignment.