Uh Oh..where does this spring go??

[ViperR]

Hey all,
Haven't shot my 20's era Sterlingworth12 ga. yet and maybe it's good I didn't. There was a small bag that came with it that I just found tucked away in the case and this spring and screw was in it. I'm thinking it might be some sort of spring for the triggers. I'm good at smithing and will do this myself, since I had the Fox disassembled to re-do the wood and give it a good cleaning and going over. Any help on where it goes or what it does? Thanks!!

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg10 ... ure036.jpg

[birdhunter]

That sping mounts to the trigger plate to hold the triggers in place with a small amount of tension, so that they just don't flop around in the at rest condition. It is an easy installation. Maybe it is a spare?

[ViperR]

Thanks! Just removed the trigger plate and the spring & screw were missing. Not spare parts. Looks like it was never reinstalled from way back when. Saw how it does take up the 'looseness' of the triggers and keep them from slopping around.
Now, I called my dad who I got the Fox from and he said the spring was omitted from the last tune-up many years ago, because the spring pushes down on the trigger against the sear and made it a 'hair trigger' and it needed just a slight touch to trip the sear & hammer.
I really need to see a pic if the spring is installed a different way than what my dad described the smith did with it.

[birdhunter]

The spring was probably installed up side down. I do not however think that it would have caused a "hair trigger"... easy enough to test. If installed and causes a light trigger pull, better get it to a competent gunsmith for safety issues.

[Silvers]

Here's a pic of the trigger spring. Spring must push up, not down. Nope I didn't goof up that screw slot; this is a trigger plate I picked up for parts. Same as Bobby, I think the hair trigger is caused by something else. Silvers

[ViperR]

OK got it. Thanks for the picture. It seems my spring has the bend way too much and it pushed hard on the trigger extensions just enough to slip the sear about 1/2 way off the hammer hook during re-engagement. I bent mine down a bit and made it look like your pic. All is well now with solid hammer-sear engagement.
Now, another question/favor to ask. Before I reassemble everything, I noticed a floating pin that touches the safety. Attached is a pic (sorry for the focus) and an arrow pointing to the pin. It is not under any spring tension. Is this the rod that automaticly engages the safety when closing the action for firing?
Also, do any of you use Lok-Tite on any screws. I have the Purple 222 that is for micro screws and not as hard to break as standard Blue 242.
Thanks for all your help!

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg10 ... ure036.jpg

[birdhunter]

That pin pushes the saftey on when you open the gun. I leave it in the gun when I hunt and remove it when I shoot Trap, Sporting Clays etc. Re locktite - I don't like to use lock tite on any guns- period. My personal preference, for a variety of reasons. All the best with your Fox, it can be addictive.

[ViperR]

That pin pushes the saftey on when you open the gun. I leave it in the gun when I hunt and remove it when I shoot Trap, Sporting Clays etc. Re locktite - I don't like to use lock tite on any guns- period. My personal preference, for a variety of reasons. All the best with your Fox, it can be addictive.

Excellent! Thanks for the help. I'll leave the pin in for safeties sake with the kids and friends at the range. As far as Lok-Tite, if they didn't use it then, than I won't use it now. I'm getting excited about finally shooting this gem after all these years. Might not bring the pistols to the range as much.