cva hawken loose wedge

Hello gents I have a quick question and hoping for some suggestions.
I've have this CVA Hawken for neer twenty some years now and it's always had a problem with having a loose wedge, I usually hold the gun with a finger on the head of the wedge so it doesn't fall out.
To try to compensate I have put a bit of a bow in the pin, this has helped some but I would prefer it to lock in tight enough to need driven out.
Any one know if this is normal for a CVA or is this maybe something unique to this rifle?

Gene, have you tried tapping the bottom of the tenon on the barrel to put a slight bend in it to hold the wedge in more securely? If it was mine, I might try that, but do it very gently so as to not break it. You could also try to fatten the wedge a little by tapping it on its sides where it goes through the tenon. One would need to be careful as some brass parts are cast and somewhat brittle.

I tried tapping the tenion a while back and put a slight bend in it to, sorry I forgot to mention that. I might try to put a little more in it, I found by doing that and putting a slight bend in the wedge it would hold with a little help.
I have a steel wedge that CVA uses for a wedge and I think I will try your idea of hitting it on the sides to try to fatten it some.

Thanks for the suggestions!

bend the wedge slitly not the tennon. it has worked for me for many rifles

EASY,, tap and check,,,easy works great just don't over do it.
That is how the Lyman owners Manual shows to tighten the wedge/tennon.

Forgive me but did you try buying a new wedge? Had this happen to my mtn. rifle, replaced the wedge, all is well

No, just adjusted like the Owners Manual directed.

Bend the tennon slightly not the wedge. It has worked for me for many rifles.

Once you have it fit properly you might also consider cutting a slot in the wedge and adding a capture pin behind the escutcheon. The wedges on the GPR always fit very well but hunting on a very cold day last year I lost one. I can't begin to guess how many miles I've packed that gun around and never had one come loose. I figure the cold temps allowed the metal to contract more than it normally would and loosen things up. Its very easy to slot and pin them. I did a post with pics showing how it works. IMO its cheap easy insurance.

Pab1, I would like to see what you did can you direct me to it?

Vomir le Chien said:

EASY,, tap and check,,,easy works great just don't over do it.
That is how the Lyman owners Manual shows to tighten the wedge/tennon.

Click to expand...

I've had best luck properly tightening up the staple/tenon by placing a 3/4" or larger diameter wrench socket over the top & lightly tapping that with a hammer. It gives a shallower bend with more bearing surface to hold the wedge more securely.

Thanks for the suggestion. :wink:

Mean Gene said:

Pab1, I would like to see what you did can you direct me to it?

Click to expand...

Here's a link. Scroll down the thread to see the pics I posted. Much easier to see how its done in the pics than from my description.

Slotted Wedge with Capture Pin

necchi said:

Bend the tennon slightly not the wedge. It has worked for me for many rifles.

Click to expand...

:metoo:

Thanks for showing the pictures of how you did that that's really interesting using a slot in the wedge and a screw to limit travel.
I appreciate all the suggestions you guys have shared and I knew I could find answers for my problem here on this forum.

Well I carefully tapped down the staple/tenon a little more and the wedge now goes in tightly. I think this will work nicely when shooting and not back out from repeated recoil.
Thanks for all your suggestions gentlemen I hope you all have a great week. Till next time.

Congratulations Gene. I hope it stays nice and snug.