T/C caplock question for a friend

[bgf]

A friend of mine asked me to post this.  It is for a pure shooter -- the lock is a Hawken cap lock, so no need for comments about coil springs' HC-ness !  If anyone has relevant experience with these locks, your input will be appreciated:

"I am restoring a Thompson Center percussion lock and noticed that the lockplate is slightly warped. Does any one have any suggestions on improving or tuning a TC lock?  Will it help to straighten the lockplate or replace the coil spring with a stronger one?"

I say, straighten the lock plate, polish and lube, and leave the spring alone unless the hammer bounces back, but I haven't messed with many T/C locks.  A neighbor had one that had a 40 lb. trigger pull, but we found after filing the worn-in (from sear) groove out of the trigger bar that it worked pretty well!

[Dave Faletti]

How well does it work cleaned up and lubed?  How much of a warp?  What condition is it in now?  If its functioning well without binding up and the trigger pull is decent there is not much to be gained.  I have had several TCs and the locks worked fine and had decent trigger pull from factory.  More sensitive to proper seating of the cap though.  Some of their locks and parts are no longer available.  Something to look into if considering modifying a part. 

[Leatherbark]

The coil spring for the percussion lock will be no problem. Bounce back will be caused by too large of a hole in the cone.

Bob

[McClary]

I have an old T/C with several barrels that has fired thousands of rounds.  I changed the spring and couldn't see any change at all and I have changed the fly twice. If I were you I would check for excessively worn parts, straighten the lock plate, and stone the top of the trigger bar.

[Daryl]

Send the lock back to them telling them the lock plate warped and they'll probably replace it with a new one.

[ottawa]

like was mentioned earlyer if it works and the warp is not that bad ( gaping from the stock ) then clean it and lube when you start messing with production guns it can get real hairy real fast the hard part is finding replacement parts or parts that aren't metric . if the lock is that bad send it back to TC they will fix it.
I am not bashing non custom guns. but they have been out of production and where made so you could not fix them easily you had to send them back for repair making more $$ for the TC and CVA guys  I have and still stubling down this road

[Candle Snuffer]

Send the lock back to them telling them the lock plate warped and they'll probably replace it with a new one.

Everything I've ever heard about TC standing behind their products was good, and that they do stand by
their products.  I'd bet Daryl's post is right on the money.

[T*O*F]

"I am restoring a Thompson Center percussion lock and noticed that the lockplate is slightly warped.

When you put it in the gun and tighten the lock screw, the tension will pull it straight.  I've seen lots of them with the same problem......except it's not a problem.  Fergitaboutit......these guys will have you fixing problems where none exist.

[bgf]

Thanks, everyone.  I had several responses (also offline/PM) stating the slight warp in the plate was typical and did no harm, possibly even helped hold the lockbolt tight under tension.  I think he is just going to leave it and use the original spring.  I still haven't seen this lock, but it was pretty crusty by the description, and he wanted to do anything that needed doing while he had it apart.