Picked up the Spencer Rifle just before Christmas. I was the Newbie in another thread. Got everything working, I thought. New mold; cast some nice slugs; worked up a good load. Made up a peep sight to see thru. Took my new toy to a match and wouldn't fire
I had noticed the firing pin strikes were always on the light side, but it initially worked. The strikes now were very light.
Went through the threads here, and after disassembling the action, couldn't find a match to any of the previously solved problems. I did note the firing pin had a long travel before hitting the primer. Another member had reported peening visible on the firing pin pusher thus increasing the travel. I couldn't see any peening, but decided to adopt his fix and added a thin (0.020") shim to the front of the pusher. This placed the firing pin closer to the front of the block but still several thou inside. After reassembly, I tried a number of "blanks" (primer only) and all fired. I'm guessing there was some compression somewhere (percussion plate; firing pin pusher?
) that put the strikes from light to no good. I've ordered a replacement pusher; I'm hoping it's long enough to do the job without a shim.
I did lock-tight all the screws; amazing how
all of them will come loose!
Question; has anyone measured the clearance from the rear of the barrel to the breech block when the action is closed? Mine swallows a 0.021" feeler gauge. Didn't measure when new. Maybe that was the problem???
56-50 Mike