IAB Sharps Trigger Issue

[marlin4570]

I have a 1874 Sharps with the set trigger. I have had it about 2 years and never had any issues with it until now. At first, the hammer failed to catch when pulling it back. If I attempted a couple times it would finally catch. I read and learned about the adjustment screw behind the set trigger. I adjusted that screw and now the hammer catches no problem, but when the trigger is pulled the hammer doesn't fall forward. It appears to catch in the safety (1st cock) position. Now, no matter where I adjust the set screw, the hammer will not go all the way forward. I have pulled the trigger group out a couple times. The set trigger catches the main trigger. With no trigger installed the hammer works normally and I can get it to go forward normally by touching the cam that the trigger activates. I have studied the diagram of parts and can't see anything out of place. Any help or suggestions troubleshooting will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Eric F]

My first sharps was an EMF and it had a The same problem. I strugged for days with it and gave up. I took it to a gunsmith and let him look at it. As I stood there he pulled it apart just as I did he looked at it didnt say a word put it back together the exact same way I did, then he said give me that can over there, it was a yellow and blue spray can with a line of masking tape that said "if all else fails" He soaked the trigger group down then put everything back in the gun and it worked. He said it was just dry. oh it was wd-40.


In your case it sounds like something got put in wrong. If I could see it I could probacly tell you whats wrong. Any chance you can take some pics?

 

[marlin4570]

I will attempt pics tonight. I don't know if my camera will allow the detail necessary.

All I took out was the trigger group. I believe that is fairly straight forward. I did use the WD40 on it! Since it works fine without using the set trigger, I wonder if something with that part is wrong? It does have a dent on the top where it contacts the cam. This is an IAB brand Sharps and I have read other posts where other shooters question IAB quality. (The set trigger even has IAB stamped on it.) This is probably a soft part and that dent may not allow the set trigger to engage the cam fully? And it worked fine up to a point so maybe the dent got bigger and bigger until it can't fully contact the cam. I don't know, I didn't engineer this thing and I am just speculating. Just thought I would throw this out there to see who might have had this experience before I contact VTI for parts to throw at the problem. If I do get another set trigger I will harden it. Hopefully that will not damage the part it strikes! On the bright side, I can still shoot it without the set trigger functioning.

Thanks for your help.

 

[rcmodel]

Sounds about right concerning the soft part and the dent.

Most simple set triggers employ a secondary seared "hammer" that flys up and hits the primary sear, knocking it out of engagement with the hammer.

Might be able to build up the damaged one and re-harden it?

rc