Repair Question

[Hammer Gun]

gentlemen, while we are on the subject of repairs, I have a ten gauge grade three hammer gun that the right hammer will not stay cocked. I have taken the side plate off and every time find the spring has slipped off the post that it attaches to. the gun inside is clean as a whistle. any ideas or should this go to delgrego? is it larwrence or larry you talk to. thanks for any info Gary Carmichael

[Austin W Hogan]

Gary; I have had to repair two locks with that trouble recently. The first was OK after cleaning and reassembly. The second seemed OK after squaring the notch, but would not stay cocked when mounted on the gun. I found it necessary to transplant the trigger spring (the small one at the back of the lock) from another lock. I use a pair of the small, "needle nose" vise grips as a spring compressor. This makes it easy to properly seat the spring.
I would advise removing all the lock parts, cleaning in an ultrasonic tank if possible, with kerosene and a brush otherwise, and reassembling with the vise grips. If the spring still slips, try exchanging it with one from another lock. There is some difference in lock parts among grade 0,1,2 and higher grades.

Best, Austin