Hammer fall

[jednorris]

I have been shooting a .45/70 Browning Traditions B.P.C.R. and recently found a failure to cock. Normally when you work the lever to eject a empty case, it cocks the hammer. The gun quit doing that and I could not even cock the hammer manually. I took it to my regular Gunsmith and he said he does not work on 1885's as the internal parts are too complex. I found another Gunsmith that said he would "give it a try" fixing it. I know I can ship my gun to somebody like "Texmack" but shipping and insurance adds about $100.00. What should this Gunsmith be looking for ?.

[Petrol & Powder]

A broken sear or a broken/worn hook on the hammer.

[Petrol & Powder]

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&id=40475E9CD0A7B7F24D3305C15CC136B54A1815DF&thid=OIP.ZB-tPRsGRZfgpqoKEPZvKAHaEM&mediaurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.leeroysramblings.com%2FG un%2520photos%2FWinc_1885-2.JPG&exph=425&expw=750&q=browning+1885+diagram&selectedindex=6&ajaxhist=0&vt=0&eim=0,1,2,3,4,6,8,10&ccid=ZB%2BtPRsG&simid=608021532869463658&sim=11

[Cast_outlaw]

Could also be a big pile of crud built up on the sear that is preventing it from catching

[Petrol & Powder]

True, or a broken sear spring.

[BrentD]

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&id=40475E9CD0A7B7F24D3305C15CC136B54A1815DF&thid=OIP.ZB-tPRsGRZfgpqoKEPZvKAHaEM&mediaurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.leeroysramblings.com%2FG un%2520photos%2FWinc_1885-2.JPG&exph=425&expw=750&q=browning+1885+diagram&selectedindex=6&ajaxhist=0&vt=0&eim=0,1,2,3,4,6,8,10&ccid=ZB%2BtPRsG&simid=608021532869463658&sim=11

Petrol and Powder. This diagram that you linked to is for the original Winchester 1885 action. Unfortunately, nothing about the insides of the OP's Winchester will look much like this. They are quite different.

jednorris, where are you?

I would recommend you get a description of how to strip down and reassemble your gun from TexasMac (I do not believe he is a gunsmith per se). Then have at it to identify the problem. There are several candidates. Do you have a trigger modification? If so, which one?

[Petrol & Powder]

OK, here's a newer coil spring diagram:

https://www.brownells.co.uk/WebRoot/MediaDefinition/userdocs/schematics/br-1885highwall.gif

The hammer is still captured by the sear when the action is closed and the failure is the same. The hammer is not being held by the sear. This could be from a broken sear, broken hammer hook, broken sear spring, debris preventing operation or some combination of problems.

[jednorris]

I live near Greensboro, N.C.

[38-72]

Get a copy of Texmack's book on these rifles. I used the book's instructions and have taken several apart for cleaning and interesting modified triggers, etc. Its a bit complicated, but not impossible.

[Chill Wills]

It is the trigger sear spring.
I have spares for the three Browning BPCR rifles I shoot.
These rifles are known for this problem. Your average gunsmith won't have much luck with it. Not because their are poor smiths. Training on this Jap Winchester to get to know all the ins and out is a must.

You will spend a lot more on someone that does not know what to fix and both you and the gunsmith will be frustrated. Not simply because they are complicated to take down and reassemble but because diagnosing and fixing the problem requires experience specific to this action.
There are some (few) smiths that work on these rifles a lot. Have one of them fix it. You will be glad you did.
You can PM me if you need some names.

[bigted]

I also would urge you to invest in TexasMac's book ... it is a must have for the enthusiasts modern JapChester owners.

If you are a bit handy ... after reading and re-reading the book [in my case, several times] ... they are not nearly as intimidating as at first thought.

They ARE different from an original 1885 tho. But once understanding EVERY word in the disassembly AND reassembly section of THE book, you can easily take em apart AND put em back together without losing your mind.

However if your patience is lacking ... and have little mechanical experience already ... money well spent on a knowledgeable smith to perform these operations.

Fine rifles for sure but ... get the book for sure!