I've been working on a couple of projects of late that have been frustrating (to say the least). One involved springs flying into an alternative dimension and the other an issue that had me and Jethro stumped.
https://i.postimg.cc/jqf44FNp/jethro.jpg
After an exhaustive, but futile search for the missing springs, new springs were ordered. While waiting for them to come in, I decided to move on to a Uberti Stallion that was giving light strikes. Everything, except the hammer, looked good. The hammer had a divot in it's face where it was striking the frame mounted firing pin. Surely hitting that hard would touch off a .22LR cartridge ....could the hammer be too soft. I pondered that for a bit and decided to order a new firing pin, firing pin spring, and an extra power hammer spring that I see Taylor has listed for the Stallion. A new hammer is costly, so I decide to forgo that for the moment. My thought here is to smooth the hammer face by peening material into the divot, filing as needed, and hope the peening work hardens the hammer (if it is too soft). The wait for all the parts is frustrating.
The replacements for the missing springs come in first and that project is soon completed. CGW Pro kit installed in my Phantom, check.
The Taylor parts arrive. I can't see a bit of difference between the new firing pin and spring and the old ones. Still, I swap them out and stick in the heavier hammer spring. Still no joy, light strikes on about 3-4 out of 10 in the cylinder. I try cutting a coil off the firing pin spring, nope. Turn the firing pin so it protrudes more, nope. It's really beginning to frustrate me, so I need to step away from the bench and get my mind right.
I find it helps to check out the work of folk that know what they are about. An inspiration is what I needed. Fortunately, I have Hamilton Bowen's website bookmarked and a little time there has me back on track. If you have never visited the site, I invite to please do so:
http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/workshop.html
http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/gallery.html
Back at it, I finally think to find out exactly why the firing pin is gouging the hammer. I mean it is spring loaded and hitting brass to boot, even a soft hammer might be able to handle that. Duh, turns out that both firing pins are too long where the hammer hits them. When hit, the firing pin bottoms out on the case, leaving it's butt end proud of the frame which causes it to dimple the hammer. I shorten a pin so that it is just flush with the frame when sitting on an already hit case rim and things look promising. For good measure, I also reduce the diameter of the front of the firing pin so that it is not hitting the very edge of the rim (as much) as there is no primer juice out that far.
http://i38.tinypic.com/2ish11k.jpg
(BTW, the above photo is from a fix I did on a CZ75 Kadet that had light strikes. The Uberti has a round firing pin.)
To my delight, all 10 pills go BOOM when their name is called and this continues for several more cylinders of test firing. I'm calling this one good as well :)
Not much to see, but here's my Phantom with the CGW Pro Package installed(you can see the new trigger and hammer). I also stuck a DPM recoil system in it as that comes highly recommended by AIRret (thanks MB!)
https://i.postimg.cc/x8SRrvMj/cz-phantom-w-border.jpg
The Stallion
https://i.postimg.cc/8zCbVPJv/stallion-w-border.jpg
Regards,
Greg
