1861 Springfield hammer adjustment

[gsoldat44]

Good evening. I want to see if anyone knows how to adjust the hammer positions. I have an older Armi Sport made 1861 Springfield, and the half-cock and full cock are very low. The half-cock sits right above the nipple. I know it can be adjusted but I haven’t had any luck so far. Thanks!

 

[morehops52]

If it sits high enough at half cock that it's not ouching with a cap on then you should be OK. Does it fire every time on full cock? If so it might be a case of "if it ain't broke......"

 

[Trot]

There is no adjustment, the only way to alter it is to fit a new sear and or tumbler.

 

[dave951]

Good evening. I want to see if anyone knows how to adjust the hammer positions. I have an older Armi Sport made 1861 Springfield, and the half-cock and full cock are very low. The half-cock sits right above the nipple. I know it can be adjusted but I haven’t had any luck so far. Thanks!

There is no adjustment. Since you're in NC, why not bring it by the Recruit Skirmish we're holding at Statesville on 3/9? We shoot these in competition and can give you some idea of what you might need to do.

 

[BEP]

I, too, have an ArmiSport '61. Just for comparison, the leading edge of the hammer is 3/8" from the tip of the nipple at half cock. At full cock it's 1 1/8" from the nipple. How does that compare to yours? I've had mine for around 20 years and it fires off caps just fine.

 

[gsoldat44]

I, too, have an ArmiSport '61. Just for comparison, the leading edge of the hammer is 3/8" from the tip of the nipple at half cock. At full cock it's 1 1/8" from the nipple. How does that compare to yours? I've had mine for around 20 years and it fires off caps just fine.

I will measure it when I get home. I think it is about 1/4” from the nipple at halfcock. Big issue I find is it is hard to get a percussion cap on, I end up have to use the full cock which I don’t like. But it works for range shooting.

Thanks everyone else who provided feedback. Definitely helps!

Respectfully,
Alan

 

[morehops52]

I will measure it when I get home. I think it is about 1/4” from the nipple at halfcock. Big issue I find is it is hard to get a percussion cap on, I end up have to use the full cock which I don’t like. But it works for range shooting.

Thanks everyone else who provided feedback. Definitely helps!

Respectfully,
Alan

I have had several cap locks but not military style. I don't ever recall being able to load a cap without going to full cock. If not shooting right away I gently lower it to half cock. Never considered it a problem.

 

[akroguy]

MY Armi Sport 1861 is 5/8" at half and 1 1/8" at full.

I just run it at full cock. Ground the butt, load, bring up to the waist and bring hammer back briskly to full cock, strip off the spent cap, seat a cap, shoulder, aim and fire. If not immediately going to shoot, I remove the cap. The half cock doesn't come into use for me.

 

[Sam squanch]

I think the very low half cock is to prevent the cap from coming off the nipple.

 

[dave951]

I think the very low half cock is to prevent the cap from coming off the nipple.

Not really. Somebody has attempted a "trigger job" and botched the geometry on the tumbler.