Set trigger not working?

[Birddog1911]

Finally got the lock put back together on my Traditions Tennessee. Needed a lot of cleaning and polishing. Now, in the process, I did lose the set screw spring. I have another on order.

So, I put everything together, and take it to the range. Load, prime, cock the cock back, and pull the set trigger. Gently pull the trigger, and...nothing. well, crap. Try again. Nothing. Pulled the ball, and tried just a "salute" charge. Nothing. Then, I noticed that when I oulled the trigger, the cock would fall, but without the strength to strike and open the frizzen.

Packed it up and brought it home. Took the lock off, and the first thing I notice is that tripping the sear gave a nice load of sparks. Ok, so at least I know it worked that way. Put the lock back, and same issue. Bypassed the set trigger, and spark!

So, I'm trying to figure this out. From what it seems to me, it shouldn't be the lack of set trigger spring. For the life of me, there can't be a rough spot somewhere inside the lock, slowing it down. I don't think it's the mainspring, since it is making sparks. In the trigger assembly, perhaps?

 

[colimr]

can you post a picture of the trigger and the back of the lock ?

 

[Birddog1911]

Here you go.

 

[colimr]

my guess is the bolt that holds the lock is rubbing on the hammer. Have you tried putting the lock and trigger back on leaving the bolts loose ? your issue may be overtightening I had that issue ended grinding the lock bolt and shimming the trigger

 

[Birddog1911]

I'll try that next, thanks.

 

[Birddog1911]

my guess is the bolt that holds the lock is rubbing on the hammer. Have you tried putting the lock and trigger back on leaving the bolts loose ? your issue may be overtightening I had that issue ended grinding the lock bolt and shimming the trigger

Well, that was the issue! I guess I just need to find a sweet spot between securing the lock, and not rubbing the hammer.

 

[French Colonial]

Well, that was the issue! I guess I just need to find a sweet spot between securing the lock, and not rubbing the hammer.

Shorten the bolt a little bit if needed

 

[EC121]

The bolster on that lock is cut out to make room for the mainspring to rise. There isn't much metal for the threads. Shortening the bolt a thread or backing it off a thread is the easiest way

 

[BP Addict]

Well, that was the issue! I guess I just need to find a sweet spot between securing the lock, and not rubbing the hammer.

On many of my older CVAs and newer Traditions, I tend to file the end of the screw down that holds the lock in place behind the Hammer/Cock. That makes the rear screw shorter than the front. However, on a Flintlock, I've also seen screws so long that they push the Frizzen Spring out.

Glad you found the problem!

Walt

 

[hanshi]

I've had that same thing happen. I took that bolt and ground it until it was clear of the cock.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Finally got the lock put back together on my Traditions Tennessee. Needed a lot of cleaning and polishing. Now, in the process, I did lose the set screw spring. I have another on order.

So, I put everything together, and take it to the range. Load, prime, cock the cock back, and pull the set trigger. Gently pull the trigger, and...nothing. well, crap. Try again. Nothing. Pulled the ball, and tried just a "salute" charge. Nothing. Then, I noticed that when I oulled the trigger, the cock would fall, but without the strength to strike and open the frizzen.

Packed it up and brought it home. Took the lock off, and the first thing I notice is that tripping the sear gave a nice load of sparks. Ok, so at least I know it worked that way. Put the lock back, and same issue. Bypassed the set trigger, and spark!

So, I'm trying to figure this out. From what it seems to me, it shouldn't be the lack of set trigger spring. For the life of me, there can't be a rough spot somewhere inside the lock, slowing it down. I don't think it's the mainspring, since it is making sparks. In the trigger assembly, perhaps?

Put some Inletting Black on the back of the lock…re-install the lock as you normally would, then take it apart and see if there is any inletting compound inside the lock mortise. If there is…that is most likely what is slowing your lock down…

 

[Sun City]

Honk the trigger spring down as far/hard as it will go!!

 

[Birddog1911]

Put some Inletting Black on the back of the lock…re-install the lock as you normally would, then take it apart and see if there is any inletting compound inside the lock mortise. If there is…that is most likely what is slowing your lock down…

Playing with it more showed me that this is just what I need to do. Now, where is that genie bottle to wish for more time...