Short stroke kit issues

[T J B]

 I have installed a 5th gen short stroke kit and although the stroke has been shortened the gun feels stiff I had a 3rd gen and the gun ran smooth this new kit has a distinct bump as it rises and as I run the gun is seems to stiffen up Is there an issue with the 5th gen kits I was told by the maker that it runs as smooth as the 3rd.

  Thanks

[Pettifogger]

Anytime you shorten the stroke you lose mechanical advantage.  "Smooth" is a meaningless unquantifiable term.  A fifth gen can be as "smooth" (based on your question we are really taking about 'light') as a third gen IF the gun is thoroughly tuned and the springs are competition tuned.  The same hammer spring on a third gen will feel a lot heavier on a fifth gen.

[cal44walker]

What Pettifogger said.   

And you might want to check that the "bump" on the way up is not the rear of a cartridge hitting the bottom tab on the bolt because you didn't time the kit. That'll cost you a new bolt(s) in no time......
Those kits are not drop in's. I've only ever seen 1 that was (only just) and that was a 32-20 that had lots of space to work with and even then you need to work on the springs. If you're handy with a grinder/dremel/sandpaper/polishing wheels and some care you can do it yourself. Otherwise get someone who's tried it before (successfully) to lend a hand.

cal44walker

[Will Lynchem]

I agree with Pettifogger! But then again, my 5th gen.short stroke kit was made and installed by Jim Bowie at the Cowboy & Indian store. If "smooth" is a relative statement,  then mine runs slicker than snot on a kids upper lip! I love mine! W. L.

[Killshot Kenny]

Howdy,

I just had a call to move a couple of kits around and found that one started bumping half way through the stroke, It turned out to be the left knuckle was bumping the left lever spring as it was riding over the lever pump. 15 seconds on the belt sander fixed it.

Cheers

[HolliferADollar]

I just put a 5th gen kit in my 73 in 44-40, & found the same things - the action just feels chunky.  The other 73 I have has a 3rd gen Ron Snover kit, it is smooth as silk.

After using it in 3 matches, the 44-40 has smoothed up a bit, but the biggest & last chunk in the stroke was the firing pin extension riding up over the hammer.  I put a little more radius (there wasn't much there) on the bottom of the firing pin extension & smoothed it up a bit.  Most of that final chunk has gone away.

Holler

[Pettifogger]

I just put a 5th gen kit in my 73 in 44-40, & found the same things - the action just feels chunky.  The other 73 I have has a 3rd gen Ron Snover kit, it is smooth as silk.

After using it in 3 matches, the 44-40 has smoothed up a bit, but the biggest & last chunk in the stroke was the firing pin extension riding up over the hammer.  I put a little more radius (there wasn't much there) on the bottom of the firing pin extension & smoothed it up a bit.  Most of that final chunk has gone away.

Holler

When you get that problem there is something else to check.  Remove the stock and slowly lever the gun and look at the very end of the hammer that is inside the frame.  It is not unusal for the hammer extension to contact the mainspring.  That will give you that bump.  The solution is to grind/mill a little off the back of the hammer.

[HolliferADollar]

When you get that problem there is something else to check.  Remove the stock and slowly lever the gun and look at the very end of the hammer that is inside the frame.  It is not unusal for the hammer extension to contact the mainspring.  That will give you that bump.  The solution is to grind/mill a little off the back of the hammer.

Just pulled the stock & checked, there is about 1/8" clearance between the back of the hammer & the mainspring, so all is good there.  Thanks for the tip, will remember that on future guns!

Holler