Problem with Original 45 - advice please!

[the green man]

the is a little like sledge that's on the cocking arm make sure its in places it happen to me

[Drew451]

Had the same problem with one of mine and couldn't determine the cause. It used to discharge when the barrel closed or when the safety was clicked off. As others say- there could be various causes but sear wear was my best guess . As the rifle had a bit of damage in another area I broke it for spares.
I have had very well used 45s and a quite tired 50 T01 which have operated perfectly.

[PCPShooter]

Mine that did that required new sear
It wasn’t properly hardened apparently (diagnosed by v Mach)
I bought some of the last spares from Chambers years back, there are a couple of variations of the triggers in 45s make sure you get the right spare part, if you still can -

[andrewM]

Thank you very much, everyone, for your most valuable advice. I thought my problem was a 'one off' but it seems that quite a number of other people have experienced the same problem, judging from these posts. I must say that the rifle is still performing at the same rate as it did out of the box so the spring must be of exceptional engineering origin. On the other hand, there seems to be engineering weakness elsewhere to have caused this; perhaps not so good as the FWB after all (but saying that is akin to opening the equivalent of the Mk3 v Airsporter debate), although the latter has its problems with the safety catch.

I will, of course, report back once I get to the bottom of it.

[andrewM]

It seems the problem with this rifle has been solved and I am reporting back, as I promised. I took the rifle to Protek in Bognor Regis to inspect and they report as follows:

"A circlip - or actually an 'e clip' was missing from the sear axis pin. the pin had come out partially but was still held in by the stock. Repositioning the pin through both sides of the frame made the rifle shoot properly again. I have found an e-clip but it is a little large. I have squeezed it very slightly and the pin does not seem as if it will come out easily but really needs a smaller e-clip in the long run to be certain of its long term use. I have not got any smaller e clips. The e clip used on the trigger axis pin is larger by the way. "

That sounds simple enough and it seems that others have also had similar problems from the correspondence this has generated. This might be the solution for them too, or it could be the trigger axis pin if not the sear axis pin.

[deejayuu]

Thanks for sharing. Glad it's fixed.

[jonnyone]

It seems the problem with this rifle has been solved and I am reporting back, as I promised. I took the rifle to Protek in Bognor Regis to inspect and they report as follows:

"A circlip - or actually an 'e clip' was missing from the sear axis pin. the pin had come out partially but was still held in by the stock. Repositioning the pin through both sides of the frame made the rifle shoot properly again. I have found an e-clip but it is a little large. I have squeezed it very slightly and the pin does not seem as if it will come out easily but really needs a smaller e-clip in the long run to be certain of its long term use. I have not got any smaller e clips. The e clip used on the trigger axis pin is larger by the way. "

That sounds simple enough and it seems that others have also had similar problems from the correspondence this has generated. This might be the solution for them too, or it could be the trigger axis pin if not the sear axis pin.

Hiya Andrew,
Its really helpful people like yourself sharing information on the cure to an issue as sharing that information can potentially save others a lot of hassle. I read with interest your reply as last night whilst stripping down an old 45 this very circlip pinged off and went flying across the shed never to be seen again

And the 50T01 that was next stripped had it's circlip missing- so thats two that I need to order!

Hope your 45 now behaves

Dave

[andrewM]

Thanks Johnnyone! I find this forum most useful for sounding out problems and receiving feedback. I then deposit the subject rifle with Protek and make a point of informing readers of the diagnosis and solution. My own skills are poor in this department but that does not mean I do not take a careful interest in the technical activity! Protek, meanwhile, only deal with airguns, so that is their single focus.

It might be worth your while trying to find the circlips, assuming they were in working order, as finding individual replacements rather than bulk replacements could be difficult.

Meanwhile, I have found what seems to be a near mint 45 in .22 and will travel to inspect it next week with a view to purchase. I gather it was made in 1984. This will complement my .177, which I will collect next week from the repair bench. I have always found these to be first class rifles and, I gather, the leather washers were amongst the last used, given the manufacturers had moved to synthetic. On the other hand, I think they had produced these washers at their best and they worked well. It seems they need the very minimum of lubrication, unlike, for example, the old Mk3 or Airsporters, which almost required oil as part of the firing cycle.

This collecting thing is rather dangerous and I think I must try to call a halt at about 10 rifles. That said, I am nearly persuaded to try a modern springer to see if there is much difference. I suspect there is little. When I showed a friend my recently purchased FWB 127, he thought it was as good as and perhaps better than his HW97. I suppose there is so much that can be invented in the process and then it becomes rather difficult to improve, other than via the trigger or balance or, perhaps, recoil.

I am also tempted by the Anchutz 335, of which I have read good things.