Set trigger stopping at half cock

[JonBishop]

Hello all. I’m in the process of my first build and things have been going ok. It’s a TOW Bedford kit. As the title says, I’m having trouble with the double set trigger. When I pull the set trigger then pull the lock back it stops at half with a nice click. Then back to full cock with a decent click. Pull the trigger, “fire” and it stops at half cock. Pull the cock back without setting first, “fire” it will fall all the way. In any case setting the trigger will only allow the cock to fall to half. Without setting first I don’t get a good click in the full cock position. I can press on the rear of the trigger plate in this position and it will hit the sear and fall to half cock. I have been tinkering with this for 5 days, after work of course. I’ve tried shimming, filing the set trigger, adjusting the spring, and adjusting the allen screw behind the set trigger. I am open to any suggestions. If pictures might help please let me know what to take pictures of. Also, “firing” unset, is a hard trigger pull and sometimes a decent trigger pull. I hope some of this makes sense.

Thanks, Jon

 

[Old Hawkeye]

Unless your trigger is one I have never seen or heard of before, you don't "set" the trigger before you cock the rifle. You cock the rifle, then "set" the trigger. Try operating the trigger in the that sequence & see what happens. By "tinkering" with it to the extend you describe it may need to be adjusted to work in the "normal" fashion, now. Not being familiar with your tigger & how it is now "adjusted" I can't offer much help. Surely others here will chime in. Pics of the trigger mechanism would help, especially the adjustment screw locations.

 

[Phil Coffins]

Confirm that your lock has a properly working fly in the tumbler.

 

[JonBishop]

Hey Hawkeye. The cock locks in good in both positions with the set trigger engaged. It does not lock in as good at full cock with no preset. Either way I do do it, with the trigger set, it will only fall to half cock position. If that helps to clarify? Phil. I don’t know if the fly is working properly. I took pictures of everything so I could put it back together correctly. Is there a test I can do to see if the fly is working properly? With the lock out of the stock I can’t see anything wrong. I’ll have to say that this is my first dealings with a flintlock rifle. Some pictures included.

Thanks, Jon

 

[LawrenceA]

What @Phil Coffins said
Check the fly (which is a tiny piece in the tumbler) is there and operating correctly.
Without that the double trigger cannot work.

try here
home.insightbb.com/~bspen/lockfunction.html

 

[JonBishop]

Here is a picture of the fly when I disassembled the lock. Does it seem in right position? Also, is this the fly? Never been around this type of firearm.
Thanks, Jon

 

[JonBishop]

Lawrence. The link didn’t work for me.

Jon

 

[bang]

Maybe the trigger assembly is not inletted far enough and is not lifting enough for the sear to completely clear the half cock.

 

[LawrenceA]

Lawrence. The link didn’t work for me.

Jon

Yeah I am not that clever.
Try cutting and pasting maybe.

Yes that is the fly.
Does the fly keep the sear out of the half cock notch when you operate the lock without the springs?
I cannot see your notches.

 

[Alexander Efremenko]

That is the roughest looking fly and tumbler I've ever seen. It doesn't look properly fitted.
Your fly might be backwards, Its hard to say without it in hand and test for function. It could be binding on wood when released.

 

[billraby]

Problem is the rear trigger bar. Notice how it sticks up when it is not set and sits flat when it is set. That is the problem. When rear trigger is not set, the rear trigger bar is sticking up and holding up the sear. When it is set it is laying flat and not pushing up the sear. What you need to do is to cut away the rear trigger bar until it is not making contact with the sear when it is not set.

 

[hawkeye2]

That is the roughest looking fly and tumbler I've ever seen. It doesn't look properly fitted.
Your fly might be backwards, Its hard to say without it in hand and test for function. It could be binding on wood when released.

I'm in agreement. That tumbler just does not look right. I suggest you try the lock out of the gun and concentrate on getting it to function reliably. Reinstall and then see if the issue goes away. If not look at the triggers. Eliminate one variable at a time.

 

[Snooterpup]

Problem is the rear trigger bar. Notice how it sticks up when it is not set and sits flat when it is set. That is the problem. When rear trigger is not set, the rear trigger bar is sticking up and holding up the sear. When it is set it is laying flat and not pushing up the sear. What you need to do is to cut away the rear trigger bar until it is not making contact with the sear when it is not set.

Billraby, I agree, the rear trigger bar is probably contacting the sear and needs the too metal removed A bit at a time but do try the adjustment screw first. Also try removing the lock, set the triggers, and carefully try to install the cocked lock. If it hangs up on the rear trigger bar that should confirm the trouble. Best of luck!

 

[Snooterpup]

Billraby, I agree, the rear trigger bar is probably contacting the sear and needs the top metal removed a bit at a time but do try the adjustment screw first. Also try removing the lock, have the triggers not set, and carefully try to install the cocked lock. If it hangs up on the rear trigger bar that should confirm the trouble. Best of luck!

 

[Snooterpup]

Make sure the lock has a functioning fly and works properly out of the gun first. Also, shim out the trigger group with a cut up business card or similar thin cardboard, reinstall and try it. If it works then, your rear trigger bar is most likely too high.

 

[Grenadier1758]

It appears that you have an L&R Manton Lock. the L&R locks all of them are notorious for requiring the fly to only operate correctly when installed correctly.

You need to flip the fly over so the slanted edge of the fly is facing the full cock notch.

Flip the fly over. It is installed improperly.

Is the hole hole in the fly oversized? You may need a new fly.

 

[EC121]

Boy! L&R sure didn't take any time polishing that tumbler. The hole in the fly also look like an oval instead of round. Instead of rotating it could be getting pushed up out of the way and allowing the sear nose to hit the halfcock notch.

 

[Pete G]

The rear trigger bar needs to be filed down, the fly installed properly, the whole lock polished and check that the sear arm is not bottoming out in the inlet. Also adjust the travel on the rear trigger spring so tht it doesn't bear against the sear in the released position. This is a kit, but the whole lock seems a bit rough. Nothing that can't be fixed .

 

[JonBishop]

Wow, thanks everyone! It did seem the fly was improperly installed. I flipped it over and put the lock back together. Works much more smoothly now. Put it back in the stock and operated the cock. It’s not getting a good lock in full cock. Set the trigger then pull the trigger. It will go all the way down now but with a little snag at half cock position. I apologize if these questions are dumb or have already been asked a thousand times. What could be causing the snag at half cock? I haven’t polished the tumbler yet. Also the trigger pull is still pretty hard un-set.

Thanks, Jon

 

[Phil Coffins]

If you haven’t altered the lock I’d send it back and ask for a replacement. That lock looks to need more finish and fitting then you payed for.