CVA Mountain Rifle Cap Lock

Hello Gents,

I am working on my CVA Mountain Rifle kit and, having read and learned form many other posts I have gotten the lock and trigger to cooperate. Not real impressed with the lock but that is another subject.

My issue is that the lock (cap lock) can go to half and full cock when assembled to the stock but when I install the barrel getting to full cock is really hard.

What I have done so far is to put lipstick on the drum to see if I have interference with the been grinding the lock plate to eliminate that. The idea being that the barrel is pushing on the lock in some manner as to make it hard to pull to full cock. I thought that as the grinding progressed going to full cock would get easier but that is not the case. So... what else can I look for that would cause the lock to be so difficult with the barrel wedged in place. And yes, it is difficult with the barrel in place and not wedged.

R/fishmusic

You might want to put some soot or lipstick onto the top and bottom of the main spring. Maybe the barrel is pressing down too much on the lock plate and causing the spring to bottom out. :idunno:

I don't know if that made sense... Maybe soot up the whole inside part of the lock and install it.

Good idea! I had to clear the mainspring to make the lock fit. Maybe it needs more clearance.

Not being able to see your actual rifle, I can only imagine in my mind what is going on. Right off the top of my head I am thinking that the hammer is rubbing against the stock at full cock. Have you checked the clearance of the hammer in the full cock position. If that is not the problem, the lock may possibly be set too deeply in the lock mortise and the barrel is pressing against it once it is installed in the stock. Does the barrel go into the stock easily with the lock installed? Another possibility is that the snail on the breach is pressing down on the lock plate when the barrel is installed. This could press the lock down slightly in the mortise causing it to drag against the inside of the mortise. Another thought is whether the tang may be set too deeply in the stock? This could cause the barrel to press down in the barrel channel and cause the wood web under the barrel to press down on the lock mechanism.

I have kept my suggestions to only those things that could possibly cause the problem that you are experiencing when the barrel is in the stock but not when the barrel is out of the stock. If you check these things out and none seem to be the problem, I am out of ideas until I see the rifle itself. If you want, we could meet somewhere for coffee or a lunch and I could take a look at your rifle to see if I could help.

Found the problem. The mainspring was not seated flush against the lock plate! It was cocked at an angle and was near to coming off. Reseated the spring and now I get full cock with no problems.

Bill, the hammer clears at full cock but interferes after release. Would love to show you the rifle for your input.

one secret I've found is to keep the lock loose until the barrel is mounted. then just tighten the lock till the screws are just snug, not tight. if there are still issues check behind the hammer on the wood. the hammer may be just rubbing making a small gouge in the shape of an arch. My Frontier carbine did this. a little filing and a touch up and the lock worked perfect.