Traditions vs Pedersoli ease of lock operation

[Shadowalker164]

I hope this is the correct forum for this. I own a Traditions Kentucky pistol kit 50 cal. It is a fine firearm, very accurate, and a very smooth trigger action right out of the box. Very light touch, maybe 6 oz. or so. And this action has an easy access adjustment screw to set trigger pull. Clean and simple. I also own a Pedersoli Kentucky long rifle, kit form. It is a truly beautiful firearm. People stop and admire it at the range, and it is wicked accurate. My only complaint is it’s too heavy trigger pull! If the Pedersoli lock is adjustable, I can’t find it. I read something on this forum about a “tune up” that can be done to loosen it up from pounds to ounces. If this has been covered in an existing thread, please point me in that direction. Any help would be appreciated. Photos of both locks attached. The one with the set screw is the Traditions product.

 

[billraby]

Is that 6 ounces with a set trigger? I would not want anything to do with a gun with a 6 ounce trigger unless it was used only for target shooting. A tune up to go from pounds to ounces is not going to happen. If you want a super light trigger pull put 2 triggers on it. It works and it won't be going off accidentally.

 

[Shadowalker164]

That 6 oz was a guess, it’s the factory setting. Smooth and light. Both are for target, the long gun is a peep, the pistol open iron

 

[Shadowalker164]

these locks don’t have a set

 

[2 shots]

looks like both would benefit from some polishing and tuning.

 

[Are. M.]

Zonie had a whole speil on it. Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/flintlock-trigger-pull-help.124874/post-1717625

 

[TDM]

Zonie had a whole speil on it. Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/flintlock-trigger-pull-help.124874/post-1717625

I would read through this first, good information. Looks like your Traditions has a sear adjustment screw. You'll be able to adjust your trigger pressure up/down with that to a degree. Your Pedersoli lock should be disassembled and polished on all working surfaces. The working surfaces of your trigger assembly should be polished too. Then try different tension adjustments on the set trigger spring. Once your happy with that, you can adjust the main trigger screw to get the release you want, but don't make it so light as to be unsafe.

 

[ohio ramrod]

The contact angle of the sear and tumbler should be exactly 90 degrees. Less than ninety you "fight" the mainspring. Greater than 90 the tumbler will "push off and not hold. Fine stoning can get you the proper angle. But it is touchy work to disassemble and re assemble the lock a few time until you get it right.

 

[John Spartan]

If you have a single trigger weapon with a 6 oz pull (yes you said you were guessing) that is dangerously light in general use weapons.
For me its not so much weight of pull but smoothness. Rather have a nice steady consistent 6 pound pull then a glitchy 2 or 3 pounder.
All my opinion of course.

 

[Shadowalker164]

Thanks so much, this is ihe kind of information I was looking for, I am fairly mechanical inclined and will attempt a polishing of the lock.

 

[Shadowalker164]

After reading zonie’s treatise on “turning up” a lock, I took a run at my (to me) heavy Pedersoli.
First image lock with cover plate removed

Second, all the bits

Third, close up of tumbler before any polishing

Forth, Sear before any work

5th, tumbler with a light kiss from a piece of 2000 grit wet or dry

6th back of lock plate with a bit of polish with the 2000 grit

7th, bit of polish on both sides and the bearing surface 2000 as well

8th, I actually got it all back together, with no left over parts

As I am still oiling the stock, and have yet to polish the furniture, but I can feel it! I know how the sear felt before I did all this. And I can feel the improvement. Lighter, smoother and I don’t think I spent 2 hours. First time taking something like this apart, and I did not find it tuff. I only lightly polished the tumbler and sear, careful not to reprofile anything just knock down high spots. I did not try to polish out the low spots, just a quick once over. I am stoked! This is so cool. My Pedersoli long rifle is next! Thanks to all of you for your time and advice, much appreciated and fruitful

 

[Shadowalker164]

Left out the sear after very light sanding.

 

[John Spartan]

Many thanks for the pics and details. I may have a winter project.
Previously (in fact I even posted here about it) I tried to remove the hammer screw and stopped as I felt like I was going to break something. I was really cranking.
Any trick to getting it off?

 

[Shadowalker164]

Old machanic trick hammer while torking

 

[Shadowalker164]

The screw came out easy, it was getting the hammer and tumbler to let go of each other for me that was really the only pain, the rest, kinda fun

 

[Codger Craig Wilcox]

You can file square the end of a piece of brass rod to fit the square opening on the cock. then place the cock across an open vise, with a catch cloth under the tumbler - tap the end of the brass rod with a small hammer.

Polishing the end of the sear and seat on the tumbler has to be done with great care. I use a 1200-grit diamond stone for the initial work, then a 2,000 grit for final polish. Keep both at the same original angles.

When you polish the inside edge of the tumbler, there is usually a slight raised ring around the base of th sprue going through the lockplate - be sure to keep that level, as that is the bearing surface for the tumbler.

My Pedersoli .45 was one of the most accurate rifles I've had. On initial sighting-in, from prone at 100 yards, the three shots formed a tight cloverleaf at 9 o'clock on the center of the bull - decided not to "adjust" the sights! All 3 were well within the black center circle, 0.75" dia.

 

[Shadowalker164]

Wildcat… that’s what I am looking for, but being a half blind old fart, I’ll settle for hitting the target

One last thing on this thread, my tumbler has a small rolling block over the halfcock. The sear will drop into the halfcock position upon pulling the hammer back. And pulling the hammer to the fullcock position, the sear falls into the fullcock notch on the tumbler. But! And this is kinda cool, upon lifting the sear out of it’s fullcock notch (trigger) that rolling block will not let the sear enter the halfcock notch by accident. Excellent engineering!