Mississippi rifle problems

[OLD CHIEF]

New Euroarms Mississippi firing problems. I have just got around to working up a load for the new 54 cal Mississippi that has been unfired in my gun cabinet for the last six months or so. It shoots a good group but the caps will not detonate about 20 % of the time. The caps were tested in my other rifle and work ok..The hammer is falling square on the nipple but the impact seems to be much lighter than my other guns. is there any thing I can try before I start changing out lock parts? :?

Thanks in advance
old chief - 4th la
Dahlonega Ga.

[Joseph Plakis Jr, 00302V]

I would think the first thing you would want to check if the lock is binding. The bridle could be too tight. That would entail taking the main spring out and working the hammer to see if the tumbler is binding on the bridle & lock plate. If it is free I would put a small piece of pencil eraser in the v of the main spring. Install the lock try to snap a couple of caps if they all go off buy a new spring. If the problem was with binding asssemble the lock and only tighten the screw in the bridle that does not go througn the sear. If you tighten the sear screw too much you can cause binding. If that does not work stone the tumbler side down a little. When you are stoning it try it often you can not put metal back on.

Joe Plakis Jr.
Hampton Legion

“When you see the shadow of a pigeon fight the urge to look up” - Confucius

[WV SCROUNGER]

make sure your caps are seated all the way down on the nipple...
may be try another brand cap... ...

[Greg Ogdan, 11444]

Is the nipple face sharp, or old and peened flat?

[OLD CHIEF]

Greg 110 - the nipple is new and sharp.

WV scrounger - i did try some of the cci caps i use on my sharps, same results :cry:

Bill

[Greg Ogdan, 11444]

One thing we have both forgotten, assuming the lock works are free when out of the gun AND the mainspring is strong enough. If either the tang bolt or lock bolt are too tight, the lock can be put in a bind. Check tightness on both and, if too tight, loosen 1/2 to 1 full turn and try again. Just a thought.

[John Holland]

The problem may be as simple as a nipple that is just a tad too short. It has happened on some imports.

JDH
44th NY

[WV SCROUNGER]

to check for a " short nipple" just back it out a few turns and then try busting a cap....DONT shoot live rounds with the nipple backed out...
just back it out for a test.....

[OLD CHIEF]

Hi

so far I have backed the nipple out a bit - no help

I have replaced the main spring - no help

I have checked lock for binding - no problem found

not sure what to do next. do not want to change the complete lock out but may have to do that to get it working.

Bill Hicks
4th la

[ljflees]

If you have changed mainspring, etc., then edge of the nipple most likely just needs a slight chamfer. It is an often overlooked problem. But can be a source of much cusing. The end of the nipple is too large and not allowing the cap to make contact, and the hammer just expends its energy reshaping the cap. If the caps fires with the second fall of the hammer, then the chamfer will correct the problem.

lj