'74 Sharps Spec's

[Yakima Red]

Does anyone out there know what the clearance spec is on a modern '74 Sharps between the transfer bar and firing pin?

My "float" is .020

With transfer bar depressed I get .040 of firing pin protrusion out of the block. If I remove the bar, I get a full .060 protrusion when I press down on the back of the firing pin.

I am getting intermittent light strikes on primers. CCI magnums to be exact. Been using this rifle and primers for 5 years and now problems....

All the parts in question show no sign of damage or wear. Many thanks for any help provided.

[Kent Shootwell]

If this is a Shiloh your protrusion should be .060" with the transfer bar fully down. If there is any binding with the slide out of the rifle you will need to find it and correct it. If the transfer block bottoms out in the slide and there is much less then .060 then something is broke. First clean and lightly oil the transfer bar then try pressing on it and feel for roughness of movement. With very fine stones LIGHTLY remove the roughness. Check the head of the pin to see if it has any peening also. Another spot to check is the cam on the transfer block that engages the receiver. It could be bearing or the notch in the receiver is fouled.

[Yakima Red]

I received a new firing pin. It seems this rifle had another brands parts installed. The new pin is .005 longer and matches the bore profile in the block. The old pin has a squared off portion that prevents the pin from fully seating in the block. I shall go to the range this weekend and make a report.

I have been shooting this rifle for 5 years without incident. I do believe that I got into some extra hard primers that brought this to the forefront. We shall see.

Thank you for your input Mr. Shotwell! May your rifle never go "click"

[Yakima Red]

25 rounds went down range without incident. The 9 that misfired at the Quigley also went down range. I expect I have cured the problem.