Troubles with '73

[BigRock]

I'm working on my daughter's '73.  It is a Taylor's (Uberti) trapper model.  18.5' barrel in .38/.357 Mag.  I have cleaned and polished all of the interior parts, by hand no dremel tool used.  I have put in a Pioneer Gun works super short stroke kit and have it timed correctly.  The problem is, it still his hard as hell to work the finger lever to cock it.  I have taken down the springs to lighten everything up.  The hammer spring is just about as light as my '66.  When the firing pin extension pushes the hammer back it is smooth and easy until it gets just past the first or safety notch, then it becomes really difficult to continue unless I assist the hammer back.

Is the spring not light enough or would adding a bevel to the firing pin extension help?  Any advice?

[Coffinmaker]

Big Rock,

Well ......... It's difficult to answer without having the rifle in hand.  I build competition rifles, and at each generation of short stroke kit beyond "stock," the effort on the lever had gone up.  With a Super Short stroke, the lever effort is a tad high, but not unreasonably so. 
To realize the most benefit, the main spring must be reduced quite a bit and to continue to function, the firing pin return spring must also be reduced.  How Much???  I can't tell you.  It is a "feel" type of thing.  If you go too far, you get light primer strike missfire and you get a new spring and start over.  The lever side springs must also be reduced quite a bit.   The spring that powers the carrier arm only needs to hold the carrier in the up position for the breach block to strip a cartridge, as the lever powers it down with the SS kit.  The lever spring only needs enough to hold the lever shut (or open), anything more and the actions will be a mite stiff.
Again, I can't tell you how much.  If you go to far, the carrier will drop and jam the rifle and on the other side, the lever will just flop around.  Buy some more springs. 

Coffinmaker 

[BigRock]

I believe it has to do with the hammer.  It is smooth as can be with the hammer cocked, no binding very little if any noticeable friction.  I have, and I think too much, lightened the hammer spring.  If you watch the extension push the hammer back, it starts getting really hard as the two faces transition from both surfaces being vertical to where the hammer face starts to lean back.  I have polished the hammer face to a mirror shine and have done the same to the end of the extension.  Would beveling the end of the extension possibly help?

[Camille Eonich]

Big Rock call Will at Pioneer and talk to him. 
http://www.pioneergunworks.com/

I KNOW that's what he would want you to do and he works on these things all the time.  If you can't get in touch with him talk to Manatee at Banana River.  He's familiar with the Pioneer products and is VERY familiar with '73s.

http://www.bananariveroutfitters.com/contact.htm

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I'll second what Camie said. I've talked to both of them in the past and they're both very knowledgeable. Good folks to deal with, as well.

[BigRock]

I had to have a new firing pin extension made to fit the hole.