Main Spring Disconnect ??

[spook2]

Got off three rounds today without anything feeling different from previous outings, but then nothing happened when the trigger was subsequently caressed.  First thought I was not closing the lever-safety link (or whatever it's called)--but I was. Then observed the hammer was completely free and loose, and after unloading, nothing I could do short of disassembly (which I did not do) would correct the problem.  So, questions:  (1) Is this a disconnect, or is the main spring or something else broken??  And (2)  I'm not the gun-smithiest stick in the woods, but I've messed with a mess of hardware over the years.  Does this sound like something I could get into and fix, or do I need to solicit the services of a qualified 'smith?  Many thanks, y'all.  Spook

[Hobie]

If the hammer is flopping back and forth you need to get the side plates off and have a look see.  Sounds like a broken mainspring but, who knows until YOU look.  The 1876 and 1873 are dead easy to work on.

[Waddie Bill]

  Spook2,

  I suggest you remove the buttstock and see if the mainnspring has slipped out of the slot in the lower tang.

  The spring is not fastened in slot, and is only held in place by the mainspring tension screw;it needs a lot of tension to hold it in

  place! In addition the mainspring is very smooth and moves in the slot easily.

  I've had this happen several times in my Cimarron 50-95 when I tried to lighten the tension on the mainspring to imrrove

  the trigger pull.

  Good luck,

  Waddie Bill

[spook2]

Waddie Bill, (and Hobie), with your encouragement, I pulled the stock and left side plate to find the main spring had come out of its lug on the lower tang.  Maybe the mainspring-strain screw was loose which allowed it to come out.  With some minor study, got it back together, and if it wasn't blowing a rip-roaring norther out there, I'd be off to the range--maybe manana.  Much obliged to you both.

[Hobie]

It never hurts to take a look see.  These guns are dead simple given when they were built they almost had to be.