Sear Breakage

[Blundercuss]

Greetings to all,
I have a question that I need help with. I'm not sure if I am posting this in the correct area. Here goes---I have  shot a rifle that I just completed. It is a percussion lock. After about 20 rounds the sear broke very near where the stirrup connects. Anybody ever have this happen? Anybody know what and why this may have occurred? Any advice on this is greatly appreciated. I love my new gun! Thanks---Blundercuss

[Bob Roller]

The sear broke near where the stirrup connects? What make of lock. I have made locks for many years and never have heard of such a mechanical arrangement. The stirrup or link is hooked to the arm of the tumbler in every lock I make using a link which is all of them since 1970 both flint and percussion.

Bob Roller

[JTR]

I was thinking that he meant the sear notch on the tumbler, or maybe he means the tumbler itself?
Patience, it's his first post, and not everyone is an expert on the terminology on the internals of locks.
 I'll bet a clarification, and more info, is coming.

John

[greybeard]

Greetings to all,
I have a question that I need help with. I'm not sure if I am posting this in the correct area. Here goes---I have  shot a rifle that I just completed. It is a percussion lock. After about 20 rounds the sear broke very near where the stirrup connects. Anybody ever have this happen? Anybody know what and why this may have occurred? Any advice on this is greatly appreciated. I love my new gun! Thanks---Blundercuss

Not trying to hijack your post but most of the folks would like to see a pic or two of your gun.
Also a pic o the broken lock so we can better evaluate the problem...
Bob Reader

[Roger Fisher]

Greetings to all,
I have a question that I need help with. I'm not sure if I am posting this in the correct area. Here goes---I have  shot a rifle that I just completed. It is a percussion lock. After about 20 rounds the sear broke very near where the stirrup connects. Anybody ever have this happen? Anybody know what and why this may have occurred? Any advice on this is greatly appreciated. I love my new gun! Thanks---Blundercuss

Not trying to hijack your post but most of the folks would like to see a pic or two of your gun.
Also a pic o the broken lock so we can better evaluate the problem...
Bob Reader

I'd bet a couple of bucks the lad means the nose of the sear. I have a notion it was a loose fit in the half draw notch and 'twisted' off there or a caticornered fit in to that half draw notch. Actually, I dunno either.

[Herb]

I have a Jim Bridger lock from Track of the Wolf that dropped out of the inlet onto the cement  floor, about 15 inches, and the sear arm broke off.  Examining the sear, Track's part number Lock-JB-R-Se, it had several other cracks in  it.  It was a bad casting.  I sent it back to Track at their request and they sent me a replacement at no charge.

[JDK]

Hopefully he post again to explain.  I'm guessing it's the tumbler to stirrup connection.  I recently had the tip of the tumbler break off on a brand new Late Ketland I was inletting in a southern longrifle.  Unfortunately for me I was inletting it at the time and was cycling the lock to check for clearance and it was in the mortise.  When the main spring cut loose it cracked that side of the stock and jammed the lock in place....oh, joy.  Luckily, when I got it out of there the crack closed up.  I then spread it and worked glue into the crack.  Sent the part out to Chambers on Tuesday with a note explaining and had a new one back on Saturday....now that's service.  J.D.

[Blundercuss]

Gentlemen,
I made a mistake. Forgive me for not using proper terminology. It is the stirrup arm of the tumbler that broke. Sorry again for the mistake---Please help. Blundercuss.

[Swampwalker]

You have a defective tumbler - contact the manufacturer, tell them the problem.  You will probably have to send them the lock.  They should replace the tumbler for you free of charge, unless they determine that you where somehow at fault.  If it's a used or old lock, you may have to fit a new tumbler.
I have an antique Manton shotgun that broke at  some point at the same place, and was repaired by brazing the tumbler.  While it appears to be sound, I don't completely trust the repair.
Good luck!

[JDK]

You may not have to send in the whole lock....unless you to perfer to do that.  Chambers only had me send in the tumbler but then again mine was not fitted with a stirrup....might be case by case basis.

Swampwalker is right, contact the manufacturer and see what they recommend.....it shouldn't have done that.  J.D.