Is this normal?

[GoodRabbitPilgrim]

I just bought a new sidelock which turned up today and immediately noticed something unusual (for me at least). I took it to half cock and tried to put the hammer back down on to the nipple and it would not budge (pulling the trigger while gently lowering the hammer that is). The only way I can get it to do it is by going to full cock and then lowering down to the nipple. In this instance is still has a distinctive click as it passes the half cock position (moreso than I've noticed with my other sidelock).

I have not taken the lock apart, I literally picked it up, played with it for 5 mins and then have been occupied with my sons birthday party since.

I don't want to go into the brand of the gun because I don't want the topic to go off track, suffice it to say it was not a cheap gun. I'm just really interested to know if this is acceptable in a percussion because my other does not do this at all.

 

[tenngun]

Some locks the fly binds and you have to go to full cock or almost to full cock to release it

 

[GoodRabbitPilgrim]

Some locks the fly binds and you have to go to full cock or almost to full cock to release it

If that's the case then there's no issue, it is a beautiful gun other than that. I do wish I had of gone down the flintlock root instead of percussion though.

 

[Rod Man]

You can still go down the flint lock road. That way you got choices!!! Choices are good.

 

[Grenadier1758]

I'd like to see a picture of the inside of the lock to see the configuration of the half cock notch. When the lock is in the half cock position, the fly should not interfere since the fly should be on top of the sear and not blocking the notch. You might have to raise the hammer to allow the sear to clear the half cock notch. That slight lift to clear the notch is normal.

 

[dave951]

Sounds like there might be a problem with the tumbler or fly. Without taking the lock out of the stock, no way to know for sure. Your lock could also be suffering from congealed crud in the lock. I'd clean and lube it before doing anything that can't be reversed.

 

[Phil Coffins]

(pulling the trigger while gently lowering the hammer that is). You should not be able to lower the hammer in this manner. The sear is captured in the half cock notch and must be lifted by pulling the hammer back some before pulling the trigger. The amount Varys with how the lock is designed.Note how the half cock notch here is undercut, that’s why the hammer must be lifted or pulled back before pulling the trigger.
IMG_0466 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

I just bought a new sidelock which turned up today and immediately noticed something unusual (for me at least). I took it to half cock and tried to put the hammer back down on to the nipple and it would not budge (pulling the trigger while gently lowering the hammer that is). The only way I can get it to do it is by going to full cock and then lowering down to the nipple. In this instance is still has a distinctive click as it passes the half cock position (moreso than I've noticed with my other sidelock).

I have not taken the lock apart, I literally picked it up, played with it for 5 mins and then have been occupied with my sons birthday party since.

I don't want to go into the brand of the gun because I don't want the topic to go off track, suffice it to say it was not a cheap gun. I'm just really interested to know if this is acceptable in a percussion because my other does not do this at all.

Phil is right on target! (IMG 0466) The half cock position is specifically made so the hammer does not release by just pulling the trigger.
Larry

 

[Old Hawkeye]

I just bought a new sidelock which turned up today and immediately noticed something unusual (for me at least). I took it to half cock and tried to put the hammer back down on to the nipple and it would not budge (pulling the trigger while gently lowering the hammer that is). The only way I can get it to do it is by going to full cock and then lowering down to the nipple. In this instance is still has a distinctive click as it passes the half cock position (moreso than I've noticed with my other sidelock).

I have not taken the lock apart, I literally picked it up, played with it for 5 mins and then have been occupied with my sons birthday party since.

I don't want to go into the brand of the gun because I don't want the topic to go off track, suffice it to say it was not a cheap gun. I'm just really interested to know if this is acceptable in a percussion because my other does not do this at all.

It's perfectly normal. The half cock position is made to act like a safety, so pulling the trigger will not release it. You have to pull the trigger back to allow the "fly" to rotate before the trigger will release the hammer. How far you have to pull it back varies with the lock type/brand. On my Investarm Hawken style rifles I have to fully cock the hammer before the trigger pull will release it.

 

[GoodRabbitPilgrim]

It's perfectly normal. The half cock position is made to act like a safety, so pulling the trigger will not release it. You have to pull the trigger back to allow the "fly" to rotate before the trigger will release the hammer. How far you have to pull it back varies with the lock type/brand. On my Investarm Hawken style rifles I have to fully cock the hammer before the trigger pull will release it.

That's what's happening essentially, it was just my other rifle of the same brand doesn't work the same so I wasn't sure if it was an issue. If it's normal then I won't be concerned. No issues other than that.

 

[Tom Compton]

Single lever double trigger. Aka as a target trigger

https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/916/1/TR-DST-1