I recently ran into an issue with my 1976 vintage .45. It is an interesting gun- after receiving it I disassembled it and from the condition of the screws and how tight they were I doubt it had ever been disassembled.
Now for the interesting part. I was going to install a Bisley grip frame. I pulled out a Bisley hammer and went to swap the spring/pin/plunger assembly. Well, the original plunger was noticeably shorter than a new one in my parts bin. So, I went ahead and used a new one, and a Bisley trigger. On my first trip to the range, the first shot fired, followed by 5 light primer strikes. Couldn't get it to ignite a primer after that. It looked like the firing pin wasn't protruding adequately.
Back at my bench, I decided to return it back to somewhat original configuration. But I used a nicer used trigger and hammer out of a newer Blackhawk. Still had inadequate firing pin protrusion. Hmm- maybe the transfer bar is too thin or the hammer nose too thick. I put a factory new transfer bar in- even worse! What the heck!
So, I compared both transfer bars and the original was a couple thousandths thinner, but it was angled differently! The old transfer bar would lay flat in the channel, while the newer one would "sit up" a bit at the top, effectively reducing the firing pin protrusion.
OK, I'm thoroughly confused and feeling stupid. It wouldn't fire as purchased. Wouldn't fire with all new guts. What gives! Maybe that's why I got it for a steal on GB
So, I put it all back together with the original parts. But, for some reason I used the new longer hammer plunger (factory new). Well, then it wouldn't cock. Hmmm. Back in with the shorter plunger. I also dressed down the hammer nose a bit. Success! No more light strikes, 100% reliability. I still have no idea why I got one shot and then nothing to begin with. I did check the firing pin for damage- it's good. I also sprayed out the firing pin with pressurized cleaner, so I doubt there's anything floating around in there.
Any ideas? This gun will eventually be a Bisley, so I'm going to have to figure it out. The two things I find strange are the shorter hammer plunger (It looks factory, not home made), and stranger still, the angle on the transfer bar. I thought new model was new model. Are there different fitments for different years?
Now for the interesting part. I was going to install a Bisley grip frame. I pulled out a Bisley hammer and went to swap the spring/pin/plunger assembly. Well, the original plunger was noticeably shorter than a new one in my parts bin. So, I went ahead and used a new one, and a Bisley trigger. On my first trip to the range, the first shot fired, followed by 5 light primer strikes. Couldn't get it to ignite a primer after that. It looked like the firing pin wasn't protruding adequately.
Back at my bench, I decided to return it back to somewhat original configuration. But I used a nicer used trigger and hammer out of a newer Blackhawk. Still had inadequate firing pin protrusion. Hmm- maybe the transfer bar is too thin or the hammer nose too thick. I put a factory new transfer bar in- even worse! What the heck!
So, I compared both transfer bars and the original was a couple thousandths thinner, but it was angled differently! The old transfer bar would lay flat in the channel, while the newer one would "sit up" a bit at the top, effectively reducing the firing pin protrusion.
OK, I'm thoroughly confused and feeling stupid. It wouldn't fire as purchased. Wouldn't fire with all new guts. What gives! Maybe that's why I got it for a steal on GB
So, I put it all back together with the original parts. But, for some reason I used the new longer hammer plunger (factory new). Well, then it wouldn't cock. Hmmm. Back in with the shorter plunger. I also dressed down the hammer nose a bit. Success! No more light strikes, 100% reliability. I still have no idea why I got one shot and then nothing to begin with. I did check the firing pin for damage- it's good. I also sprayed out the firing pin with pressurized cleaner, so I doubt there's anything floating around in there.
Any ideas? This gun will eventually be a Bisley, so I'm going to have to figure it out. The two things I find strange are the shorter hammer plunger (It looks factory, not home made), and stranger still, the angle on the transfer bar. I thought new model was new model. Are there different fitments for different years?
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