Trapdoor firing pin

[commygun]

This may properly be a Rifle Country question but I thought I'd be more likely to get the ear of Trapdoor aficionados in this sub-forum. I recently purchased a like-new H&R Trapdoor carbine replica. I'd like to hunt with it next year but frankly the firing pin-resting-on-the-primer makes me a little leary of walking through the woods with a loaded chamber. Is it possible to add a spring to keep the pin off the primer or would it even make a difference? Does anyone have experience hunting with a Trapdoor and if so how have you carried yours?

 

[rcmodel]

The hammer on the safety notch is what prevents a firing pin impact setting off a primer.

Shouldn't be a problem as long as you use it.

It has worked for 138 years so far without a FP retractor spring.

If you decide to beat a deer to death with it or something, all bets are off on the safety notch holding.

rc

 

[StrawHat]

The Springfield Arsenal did away with the firing pin spring in 1878. It would break and jam the pin in the forward position causing the rifles and carbines to fire when the action was closed but before the cam was locked. It has worked fine since then. I have two Trapdoors, one with the spring (an 1866) and one without (the Model 1873). I have not had problems with either but I have used the 1866 for a longer period of time.

 

[72coupe]

Off topic but I was at the range yesterday when a grandfather and a 9 year old show up carrying a Sharps in 45-70. The old man sits down and fire 5 shots none of which go off.

He shows me the cases saying he thinks the firing pin must be too short as the primers are only slightly dented. He holds the rifle up so I can look at the action and I see a seration on the top of the firing pin that looks out of place.

Sure enough it is a safety lever. He loads pushes the lever over to the side and boom.

Who knew?