AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: Long John on June 27, 2023, 08:57:18 PM
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Friends,
I usually don't shoot caplock guns so I don't know as much about them as I would like.
A friend of mine has a Lyman Great Plains rifle, purchased used some years ago. When he tries to shoot the thing most of the time when the hammer falls the cap does not go off. I have seen him cock and fire 6 or 7 times before the gun goes off. The spring tension on the hammer did not feel very stout to me. when I pulled it back.
Do any of you have similar experience? I am thinking that either the lock needs a fresh spring and/or the barrel needs a fresh nipple. Any thoughts before I start making a fool of myself barking up the wrong trees?
Thanks,
JMC.
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Have seen this on those rifles several times myself. A new spring will fix the problem.
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Long John: it sounds to me like a combination of several faults. The first is a modern coil spring that doesn't have adequate whack, so a new spring there is in order as the Muskrat says.
Secondly, it is entirely possible that the nipple needs to be addressed. Remove the nipple, chuck it up in a drill press by the threaded end, and with a file and abrasive cloth, polish the tube of the nipple so that a cap will seat all the way down to the primer on the nipple. I submit that then the cap will go off first crack.
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Investarm (manufacurer for Lymans) also made these locks with V-springs. They have a good tension. If a new coil spring isn't as desired maybe you have a chance to get a lock with the V-spring.
Christian
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I have a CVA that I built thirty five years ago. It sat idle for several years, and when I pulled back out I had the same issue. Replacing the main spring fixed it.
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A good lock will resist the first lifting of the hammer and as the cocking progresses it will be be nearly zero.
Taylor is a menace to low end production locks ;D and his experience is as good as mine,
Bob Roller
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Not sure what type of spring the lock has from your description. Old ones had Vs, newer one have coils. Either way, while your buddy is waiting for a replacement spring I’d check tumbler for any gummy residue or dirt. And sometimes the bridle screws can be too tight. Worth a look.
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I always start with the simplest solution to a problem. Taylor is correct that nipples get buggered and need to be dressed as he describes.
That would be the first thing I would do. After that I would check to see if the hammer is making partial contact with the nipple. Striking the nipple at an angle will gall it quickly.
if that doesn't solve the problem, I would check the lock internals as TDM states. If after all that the problem persists, I would look into a new spring.
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Friends,
Thank you for your replies. I have my path forward!
JMC
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Clean the inside of the lock, lube it sparingly, turn the nipple as mentioned, and it will most likely be fixed.
Hungry Horse