The case rim catches the top of the hammer when chambering and ejecting.is this common?

My 38-55 does the same thing. I’ve heard of modifying the hammer by grinding, but I would rather not do that. You have to pull the hammer back to full cocked to insert a loaded round, not really safe to do this.

Our club probably dozen CPA rifles on the line in a match nobody has that issue .

Bet 10 bucks it’s the original style high hammer. Call Gail best thing to do.

Boats

The re-barreled one I had did that too.   The hammer on mine didn't move back to the safety notch on opening.   I found that if I moved the hammer to the safety notch the 38-55 cartridges could be chambered and removed without any trouble.

George

Speed hammer is on CPA’s site. 

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Hack around the site you can see photos of rifles with it mounted, low enough to clear any caliber case, even my 40/65 or buddy’s 45/70

Boats

The speed lock hammer actually has a lower spur than the originals or those CPA's without it. It also quite abit lighter than the originals and where it gets its additional speed. So you might also have to tighten the tension on the hammer spring to maintain having a good primer ignition after being installed.

John’s right speed hammer does not hit as hard as regular. You need to increase hammer spring tension, easy with the set screw accessible outside bottom tang.

Issue I have lately right hand troubles two operations. Its weak, even use Left hand some tools, wrench etc. Cocking the gun during a match string with strong spring tension gets difficult.  Way I found to get around it is wrap my left thumb over the hammer push it down with my right hand. Two hand cocking. Don’t have to do it but cocking 50-60 times in a match it’s better.

Every rifles action has its quirks. Stevens 44 1/2 & its clone CPA switch barrel ability requires easily adjustable hammer spring, CF to RF. Don’t know of another outside adjustable hammer fall. 

Boats