RB trigger pull

[Dave Fowler]

I recently obtained a NYSM 50/70 RB carbine in good condition. I suspect it is in good condition because something is wrong with the trigger. Once cocked it sometime can be "fired" with a real difficult trigger pull and some times it can not be "fired" (hammer released) unless I manually pull back on the hammer a little. I have taken it apart, nothing appears to be broken, worn or installed wrong. But having the 1/2 cock safety feature makes it a little more complex to diagnose. Anyone have any ideas?

[Greg T]

The action on these "locking action" or "safety action" rollingblocks is quite complicated. I have the US 1871/72 Army rifle and got one not too long ago the operated with much more difficulty than should have been usual. Here is a link to some photos of this rifle including photos I took of the internal action as it was when I finally got it apart and those same parts ASSEMBLED CORRECTLY after I cleaned it up and re-polished the internal parts. Whoever had assembled this originally had peined over the front trigger guard bolt whene it came through the action on the right side. It was so well done it looked like the normal rounded over threaded end of the bolt. I could not take the action apart until I took it to a machine shop and had the original bolt drilled out. The complete story of this rifle and what I found and did should come through with the photos. It is a beautiful rifle that had been assembled incorrectly from day one---thus the condition of the rifle as it probably had never been issued. The original auction receipt is also photographed and shows how the rifle was mis-identified by the auction company. I also picked up a 2nd Allin Conversion trapdoor Sringfield right after the rollingblock.... The price was right for both.

Here is the url:
http://www.fototime.com/inv/49D72B3203F5BC0

Greg T

[Dave Fowler]

Greg, thanks for the info and the excellent pictures. It helped me in determining that mine appears to be properly assembled. I took it apart again last night and I guess I am going to attempt to polish the releasing surfaces as you did. Thanks again and a Happy New Year to you.

[Greg T]

i'm glad you found the photos helpful. One gets a bit more courageous when it comes to taking a rifle apart if you have photos of it before you started the 'operation'! I've learned my lesson a couple of times. Let us know how things work out when you are finished.
Greg

[Dave Fowler]

Greg, I gave the trigger and hammer a good polishing. I used a light valve grinding compound. I know that sounds like a lot, but I knew toothpaste was not going to fix this one. I removed the main spring and used finger pressure on the hammer as I worked it about 25-30 times. Cleaned it out and tryed it with the hammer spring. I did not want to over do this. There must have been a bur on the hammer that I could not/did not see. Now it works great. I'm guessing about an 8 pound trigger pull. Don't have equip. to measure just a guess, but it works every time. Now to the range (as soon as it drys up a little bit..Florida winters!)

[Greg T]

Hello again, Dave! I should get back here more often as I see you have found the cure for the heavy trigger pull and that is great! 8 pounds is probably a good guess and makes for good shooting in this old rifle. Hopefully, your weather is drying up a bit. Up here in NW Wisconsin, it's so darn cold all the time you can't go outside without one of those astronaut's space suits on! Almost tempted to go out this afternoon (Sunday) as it is sunny and a 'warm' 25 degrees! I'm still recovering from the flu and apparently have not completed bonding with the porcelin fixture in the throne room... Good luck!
Greg Topp
Hayward, Wi