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Thompson Center Ram Rod Retaining Spring Fixes

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How about sharing your solutions to repairing/replacing the TC Ram Rod retaining spring used on the Hawken, Renegade, Seneca, Cherokee line of rifles. That has to be the weakest link on these rifles and I have tried quite a few fixes, but none I am quite happy with. I know someone has come up with a good permanent fix. Thanks in advance.
 
Quinn, yep I am aware of their replacements and have used them. Hoping to see what the innovative minds of this crowd have come up with to provide a better fix. I have seen/used shims etc.., but there has to be something better.
 
I put together a couple of TC Hawkens and a Renegade, one kit and two from random parts, I made new ramrods for all of them out of Dan Putz hickory blanks with no runout like the factory TC ramrods had. I never liked retainer springs so I took them off and sized my new ramrods to fit tighter in the ramrod holes.
 
Quinn, yep I am aware of their replacements and have used them. Hoping to see what the innovative minds of this crowd have come up with to provide a better fix. I have seen/used shims etc.., but there has to be something better.
There’s another thread on here somewhere with all sorts of fixes, lots of them different, but not better.
 
How about sharing your solutions to repairing/replacing the TC Ram Rod retaining spring used on the Hawken, Renegade, Seneca, Cherokee line of rifles. That has to be the weakest link on these rifles and I have tried quite a few fixes, but none I am quite happy with. I know someone has come up with a good permanent fix. Thanks in advance.
Glue a 1/8" wide x 1/2" long chunk of leather on the bottom of the RR channel right at the front of the entry thimble. You might have to play with thickness. The leather will compress, but still holed the RR in place. Another method: Place a strip of Elmers glue on the RR to make a bump. The glue when hardened will act same as a leather strip. Forget the spring, this is easier and it works.
Larry
 
I have used two methods to secure the ram rod in the thimbles. In one fix, I just bent the ram rod slightly by suspending a lead fishing sinker to the middle of the rod that is propped up on both ends on books. Left in that position for a week, and there was just a slight bend in the rod but just enough to hold it in the thimbles. The other "fix" I have used is to tie a rawhide lace in the muzzle end thimble. The rod will compress the lace when entering and hold the rod in place until withdrawn.
 
I have used two methods to secure the ram rod in the thimbles. In one fix, I just bent the ram rod slightly by suspending a lead fishing sinker to the middle of the rod that is propped up on both ends on books. Left in that position for a week, and there was just a slight bend in the rod but just enough to hold it in the thimbles. The other "fix" I have used is to tie a rawhide lace in the muzzle end thimble. The rod will compress the lace when entering and hold the rod in place until withdrawn.
if you don't want to wait a week just heat the spot you want the bend with a hair dryer. 5 minute fix. the same if you want to straighten a bowed rod.
 
I quickly learned to dislike the spring in my Traditions Tennessee. This thread is relevant to my interests.
 
if you don't want to wait a week just heat the spot you want the bend with a hair dryer. 5 minute fix. the same if you want to straighten a bowed rod.
I'll have to remember that the next time I have to bend or straighten a ram rod. Always some great advice on this forum. Been shoot bp guns for 40 years, and I am still learning.
 
How about sharing your solutions to repairing/replacing the TC Ram Rod retaining spring ,,
Why? What's wrong with it and/or why do you have continued trouble with them?
In over 30yrs I've never had a problem except having to replace them on purchased 2nd hand rifles.
Honest, I don't get it,, what's the trouble?
 
Necchi, you answered your own question - almost. The trouble is they are not very user friendly and a lot of the TC's floating around have a spring that has been bent as an adjustment one too many times. It is a weak link on those rifles. Myself, I don't like replacing a part knowing that it is going to fail again - someday. Personally, on those rifles that I refurbish/upgrade, I just go ahead and build a new, proper sized ram rod that has a snug fit. I was hoping someone had come up with a good solution that would allow the continued use of the original rod.
 
Good morning. I have examined a first variation of the T/C Patriot pistol. It has an interior Spring loaded Detent ball which keeps a bit of pressure on the ramrod. The 2nd variation Patriot went to the retention spring. Given a choice, I would prefer the spring loaded detent ball. It rolls with the insertion of the ramrod and seems to last forever given proper maintenance.

If one has some basic machining skills, one can make the detent ball/spring with a set screw, spring, and ball. then drill and tap the rib above the ramrod. Think about the ball catch closure on a closet door. It is a spring loaded ball detent inserted in the top of the door to pop in and out of a slot. Make one of these ball catches in miniature.

HC police please avert your eyes, this solution may not be HC.

Kind regards,
DanL
 
A cyber-friend from California drills a hole in the ramrod right behind the front thimble & inserts a golf tee to hold the rod in place on his hunting guns. At the range he just leaves the rod out of the gun on the bench.
 
Good morning. I have examined a first variation of the T/C Patriot pistol. It has an interior Spring loaded Detent ball which keeps a bit of pressure on the ramrod. The 2nd variation Patriot went to the retention spring. Given a choice, I would prefer the spring loaded detent ball. It rolls with the insertion of the ramrod and seems to last forever given proper maintenance.

If one has some basic machining skills, one can make the detent ball/spring with a set screw, spring, and ball. then drill and tap the rib above the ramrod. Think about the ball catch closure on a closet door. It is a spring loaded ball detent inserted in the top of the door to pop in and out of a slot. Make one of these ball catches in miniature.

HC police please avert your eyes, this solution may not be HC.

Kind regards,
DanL
That’d be a great fix, but probably a little involved for most. Im with Necchi on this, why fret over a $3 spring? If it does fail, replace it. On the other hand, I realize Bruce only builds top shelf, and can see why he would abhor anything failing on something he worked on.
 
Why? What's wrong with it and/or why do you have continued trouble with them?
In over 30yrs I've never had a problem except having to replace them on purchased 2nd hand rifles.
Honest, I don't get it,, what's the trouble?

+1
 
You can buy a spring loaded detent ball already assembled, I’m not sure that they’re small enough though. If they were it would just be a matter of drilling and tapping the rib and most anyone could do that.
 
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