Hammer/cock problem

[Hawken]

OK...you guys are smarter than I am! Let me throw this at ya:

The cock/hammer will come all the way back on this latest .54 Hawken I've got and when the cock is fully back with trigger set…..it will not come all the way forward after trigger is set and pulled….stops at half cock!  I removed the lock, cleaned it and it will operate right when out of the stock so have I got a wood to metal problem?? I think this is a Davis trigger. Got the rifle from Tom Watson.

[rollingb]

It sounds like you might have a wood to metal problem, if the lock bolt isn't being over-tightened. 

[Hawken]

It sounds like you might have a wood to metal problem, if the lock bolt isn't being over-tightened. 

Thanks! I'll be in the process of trying that tomorrow morning! Possibly a combination of the two!

[Ohio Joe]

I agree with Rondo... One thing you might do is get a magnifying glass and take a good look in that lock mortise. You may fined a wear spot where metal is touch wood. That's not a big problem as some sand paper can cure that. Has your humidity really gotten higher then normal lately?

[Hawken]

I agree with Rondo... One thing you might do is get a magnifying glass and take a good look in that lock mortise. You may fined a wear spot where metal is touch wood. That's not a big problem as some sand paper can cure that. Has your humidity really gotten higher then normal lately?

"Has your humidity really gotten higher then normal lately"?

  Only up to 90% on occasion!!

[Uncle Russ]

Humidity is exactly what I was thinking.
You had posted earlier that the humidity and heat was just to much to be out shooting.

My suggestion; as was already mentioned, Use that magnifying glass and look for "shinny" spots in the mortise...Dykum Blue may be needed, but these shinny wear spots are relatively easy to remove and make all the difference in the world, even in the accuracy department.
The problem with hardball shooters like you and myself, it's extremely hard, at first, to forget everything we learned over a life time of shooting Centerfire, but we have to!
Sidelock front loaders are a whole 'nother ball-game, even our powder behaves differently.
Of course, you know all this already, it's just requires a different mindset when it happens.

[Hawken]

Guys

After closer examination of the lock....what oft times appears OK....ain't! The screw that holds the bridle was 1 1/2 turns loose but to appearances it looked ok but there was a dark line creating a shadow around the screw so after inspection...it was not down flush! After snugging down all seems to be OK. Cock will now go down past half cock as it should. This slightly loose screw probably had allowed the tumbler to be just slightly canted and was not allowing the sear to bypass the half-cocked slot! With components this small it apparently takes only a smidgen of misalignment to occur and foul up a big buck from running off!!  I'll check out tomorrow early AM and wake the area up for Labor Day!

You guys stay safe and have a good day tomorrow! We've earned it!!

And thanks for your input!

[Winter Hawk]

Glad to hear you found that.   I was also going to suggest looking at the fly to make sure it isn't in backwards.  It's supposed to block the half cock notch when you pull to full cock, so the seer can't drop in it like you had happen.  If it is backwards it doesn't function right.  And it's a wee tiny little thing, easily lost!  (Don't ask me how I know!) 

~Kees~

[Hawken]

Glad to hear you found that.   I was also going to suggest looking at the fly to make sure it isn't in backwards.  It's supposed to block the half cock notch when you pull to full cock, so the seer can't drop in it like you had happen.  If it is backwards it doesn't function right.  And it's a wee tiny little thing, easily lost!  (Don't ask me how I know!) 

~Kees~

Winter Hawk

Take a gander! I think I see what's called the fly just poking it's head out to the right of the slot in the tumbler!
Correct me if I'm wrong please!
Thanks!

Untitled by Sharps Man, on Flickr

[rollingb]

Take a gander! I think I see what's called the fly just poking it's head out to the right of the slot in the tumbler!
Correct me if I'm wrong please!
Thanks!

Untitled by Sharps Man, on Flickr

Yep,.... that's it. 

[Hawken]

Much obliged!!