I was cleanin my smoke pole to put it up for the month and the lock quit workin, the hammer won't stay back, BUMMER!! I took it apart and cleaned it and checked it out, there are parts in it that are wore out,, I need a new one. Or at least some new parts. I called T/C and asked them about it and was told they quit makin the Hawken I think she said back in 04 . But it is Thompson/Center so no problem. She is sending me out a return slip and they will fix it and have it back to me in 2 weeks or less after they get it. All for free. It won't even cost me anything to mail it to them. I was worried that they would change their policy after Smith and Wesson bought them out in 07. They started makin the Hawken back in 70 or 71. Seems like everybody only wants the in-lines any more. Darn kids now days.
I also own a T/C Hawken and am so happy with it! Talk about a tack driver, the accuracy is incredible. I do have one small issue that needs taken care of. The small screw for the flash hole, the clean out, has broken half the screw head off. I've got a full set of screw extractors and have used them on larger projects without a problem. But I'm not a gunsmith. Would you consider this something safe for me to accomplish or would you suggest taking it to a gunsmith? It appears fairly straightforward but you know how that can end up... Suggestions welcome!
Evenin tigwelder56, That's looks like it could be a tough one to fix. You might need to file the head down just a little to get a good center punch hole to start the drill as close to the center as you can, then an easy out should do the trick. Use penetrating oil or something to get into the threads to loosen any powder residue that is there, that might be an important step. That part does have a lot of pressure on it when you drop the hammer so make DARN sure you don't drill out any of the threads. But, if worse comes to worse, you can always re drill and tap it for the next bigger size screw. As you said, a lot can go wrong, or,, it might just come right out. As a last resort you can heat it up to make the screw come out easier. If you don't feel comfortable doing it, you might want to think about taking it to a gun smith. Everyone is different, me, I like fixing things so I would start it and see what happens. Gun smiths like that ya know. I have screwed things up before and had to listen to them tell me ALL about it. (but they screw up too). Give it some thought and take you time. Give the penetrating oil time to do it's job... Keep us informed.
PS: Ya know, I think I have only taken that screw out once on mine. As I use a patch on the ram rod when it's in a bucket of water, I feel like I push any powder residue out, (with the nipple removed of course) and just don't feel like I need to remove it. Then, before I load it, I will always fire a cap with the barrel facing grass or something and watch the force of the cap push the grass. Then I know it's clear.
PSS: Ya know, that could be a good excuse to get a new Green Mountain barrel. Talk about a tac driver. I even went to the 54 cal barrel. I'm guessin you still have the 1 in 48 twist??
Yes Sir it is the 1:48 original. I've read that it's almost too fast for a round ball rifle, adequate for conicals, but pretty good for both! Not sure if that fella was sippin a bit much when he wrote that!! Nonetheless, it's a fabulous rifle and I've got no complaints at all. I do like your comment regarding the screw though. I rarely took it out myself and of course the time I thought I'd try I broke half of the bite off. I should just file it down and follow your suggestion. But like you I'm a tinkerer and I wouldn't be able to leave it alone without trying! Your remark about a Green Mountain barrel is worthy of a high five!!!! I have but one of them and I put it on a Ruger 10/22 that I built from parts. It's a stainless .92 X 18" Fluted wonder!! I love that barrel. It's as "purdy" as it is effective. Thanks for your help along the way! Tig
I have a traditions hawkens that had the lock break, they had us ship it back and they fixed it. Great service!!! Also have a traditions deer hunter that is my favorite.
All right, I got my part back and installed it, it works fine. It's now back where it belongs. Huntin starts tomorrow and lasts till the 25th.
