Revolver Won’t Fire One Cylinder

KansasTrapper77 · Mar 22, 2023

Revolver in question: New England Firearm - R92. Its a cheap nasty double action 22 LR.

Problem: Replaced what I would call a pawl on it due to a broken spring. Replacement fits but on one cylinder (same every time) the gun “catches” and won’t pull the hammer all the way back. So you let off the trigger and try again and it rolls over to the next cylinder which functions perfectly.

Part that was replaced is attached.

Please help. I have disassembled/assembled the gun probably a dozen times now and am thoroughly confused.

Thanks

NIGHTLORD40K · Mar 22, 2023

That part is usually called the "hand."

If it happens consistently on the same charge hole, you probably have a worn ratchet (star), and it will likely need replaced.

Theoretically, you could also have a burr on the bolt lug recess for that hole causing it to bind.

KansasTrapper77 · Mar 22, 2023

I should clarify until the spring on the old hand broke everything ran just fine.

NIGHTLORD40K · Mar 22, 2023

Hands and ratchets tend to wear in together over time. The new hand may not be playing nice with the old, worn ratchet. Its possible the old hand damaged the ratchet when the spring broke as well.

NIGHTLORD40K · Mar 22, 2023

Inspect the ratchet teeth very closely and see if one tooth is obviously different, damaged, or worn compared to the others.

KansasTrapper77 · Mar 22, 2023

NIGHTLORD40K said:
Inspect the ratchet teeth very closely and see if one tooth is obviously different, damaged, or worn compared to the others.

The ratchet is definitely worn but appears to be uniformly worn.

BBBBill · Mar 23, 2023

The new hand is not-so-obviously dimensionally different from the old hand. Probably not visible to the naked eye. Measure both with a micrometer or dial caliper. Inspect both of the hands and the ratchet under magnification. The problem area may become obvious. It could be as simple as stoning the new hand to remove as little as .001" of material in a particular spot. That spot might not be the tip so measure all dimensions. Something activates that hand and presses on it in a specific spot, so all dimensions matter.

Jackrabbit1957 · Mar 23, 2023

I just repaired a very similar pistol, H&R double action " Cowboy" thing. Getting it to run properly was a royal pain. I had 2 hands to work with, both used. I think what is happening with yours is the hand is slightly too long. I ran into that same issue. What fixed it was a few strokes of a file at a time until it would cycle properly. It may have to be a process of averaging out the dimensions of the hand and ratchet wear to make it work. Keep in mind that I am a single action tuning and repair guy so this is only a suggestion. Good luck with it!

Kp321 · Mar 23, 2023

Move the spring from the new hand to the old one and reinstall.

film495 · Mar 23, 2023

Kp321 said:
Move the spring from the new hand to the old one and reinstall.

yup

KansasTrapper77 · Mar 23, 2023

Kp321 said:
Move the spring from the new hand to the old one and reinstall.

I think the spring is fit to the hand but I’ll look at it when I get home

Kp321 · Mar 23, 2023

KansasTrapper77 said:
I think the spring is fit to the hand but I’ll look at it when I get home

It can be done, I have even made new springs for hard to find hands.

Jackrabbit1957 · Mar 23, 2023

I made the spring for the H&R from .030 music wire and staked it in place.

KansasTrapper77 · Mar 24, 2023

I touched up the new hand a bit it was significantly longer than the old one. Put it all back together and still no cigar. Now it doesn’t rotate the cylinder properly. I kinda hate this gun. :cuss:

Jackrabbit1957 · Mar 25, 2023

I feel your pain, the one I worked on was a big headache as well! I found that if the that spring on the front of the hand is not the right length or under proper tension you won't get carry up on the cylinder. That spring also has go into that tiny hole in the trigger assembly or it won't even even engage the ratchet. It is truly a terrible design at best.

KansasTrapper77 · Mar 25, 2023

Jackrabbit1957 said:
I feel your pain, the one I worked on was a big headache as well! I found that if the that spring on the front of the hand is not the right length or under proper tension you won't get carry up on the cylinder. That spring also has go into that tiny hole in the trigger assembly or it won't even even engage the ratchet. It is truly a terrible design at best

I’m going to pull the trigger guard and check all those springs are seated properly.

Revolver Won’t Fire One Cylinder

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