73 Questions

[Gold Canyon Kid #43974]

I have a 73 which has been having an intermittent issue of recent. This gun has been modified to include Pioneer gun works springs and a C&I 3rd gen short stroke kit and had been working well for some time. Sometimes when closing the action/lever whether dry firing or actual firing, the rifle lever hangs up a bit when the lever is almost closed, maybe a quarter inch from closed at back of lever. It would run well for many cycles then do it for several then back to running correct for many cycles. Added heavier (not a lot) lever pressure will close lever, which allows the lifter to fall the remaining bit to the bottom. Took the gun apart and could see nothing inside causing the issue. The bolt and extractor appear fully in position when this happens. Started playing with the finger lever spring tension screw and the carrier block spring tension screw and it looks like I got it to stop doing this. It did not appear that the finger lever spring tension screw had much effect but the carrier block spring tension screw seems to have done the trick. Now that I have messed with both of these screws, I am sure there is a correct way to properly adjust them(besides trial and error) what is it (directions from web sites don't seem too clear on this point)? Exactly why would a carrier block spring tension screw adjustment have such effect on completely closing the lever and getting the lifter all the way down? Need a gunsmithing for dummies version on how to adjust both screws and why one seems to have fixed the problem.

[Go West]

Give Palo Verde a call, he should be able to tell you.

[Manatee]

The finger lever tension screw only needs enough tension on it to keep your lever closed (or at least resting against the trigger safety interlock). It doesn't perform any other function.

 

The carrier lever tension screw is critical though. How I test it is to back it off to the point where it does not return the carrier to the closed (rest) position at the bottom of the frame....and then RETIGHTEN it a half to one turn so that the carrier returns to a positive rest position.

 

As the carrier lever cam surface (where the spring rests) wears, you'll need to adjust the tension.

 

ps. for important matches, I give the spring tension screw another 1/4 turn or so...just in case.

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

GCK,

 

There isn't suppose to be any "adjustment" to the lever side spring screws. They are suppose to be tight. You need to inspect the top if the carrier block arm and the spring for "irregularities" and check the magazine follower for garbage. The carrier may be hanging up on the mag follower. Pull the mag spring and follower out, clean, lube and reassemble.

Then ..... Check to see that the extractor and the cartridge guide on the breach block are aligning with the "goezinta" slots on the back of the barrel.

The problem you describe can also be cause by garbage in the raceways of the links and or garbage in the link knee pivots.

 

Coffinmaker