ASSRA Forum - Re: C Sharps 1874 firing pin/spring replacement

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Re: C Sharps 1874 firing pin/spring replacement (Read 1872 times)

Bent_Ramrod Frequent Elocutionist Online Posts: 1524 Location: Southern Arizona Joined: Feb 8^th, 2006	Re: C Sharps 1874 firing pin/spring replacement Mar 10^th, 2021 at 8:17am	Print Post
	Make sure the little spring is around the firing pin tip as it sits in its channel. My two-piece pins are all on Shilohs, but the first time I cleaned a breechblock, the little spring disappeared with the accumulated goo when I cleaned out the firing pin hole with a Q-tip. (Had to order a new one.) I have since been more careful to make sure the spring is still there, but there have been times when it goes in sideways or otherwise doesn’t properly surround the pin tip when I drop the tip in on top of the spring. When the transfer bar goes in on top, there is no back-and-forth movement.


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Dewphd Participating Member Offline Posts: 17 Location: Denverish Joined: Jan 29^th, 2017	Re: C Sharps 1874 firing pin/spring replacement Reply #1 - Mar 10^th, 2021 at 9:48am	Print Post
	Thanks for the reply. In replacing the assembly, the firing pin slides through the spring and fully into the channel. Perhaps the flat portion of the firing pin has broken and thus cannot be held in place within the spring?


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Dewphd Participating Member Offline Posts: 17 Location: Denverish Joined: Jan 29^th, 2017	Re: C Sharps 1874 firing pin/spring replacement Reply #2 - Mar 10^th, 2021 at 12:58pm	Print Post
	I spoke with C. Sharps and the firing pin should NOT slide through the spring so therein lies the problem. My pin was on the verge of failure when I took apart the action. I was having a few weird primer strikes this past weekend so......problem solved, hopefully.


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boats Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 7647 Location: Virginia Joined: Apr 23^rd, 2004	Re: C Sharps 1874 firing pin/spring replacement Reply #3 - Mar 10^th, 2021 at 5:08pm	Print Post
	I don’t know about Sharps but any competition gun always keep spare firing pins small springs & screws. It’s the very small dropped part that shuts you down most times. Have a complete CPA spares kit. Everything except the big parts Other option always take two guns in case one breaks down. Several times have switched to # 2 instead of fixing # 1 under time pressure . Monday took my grandson end of season preserve Quail hunting. 3 100+ year old SxS guns. Sure enough one malfunction spare gun saved the day and a possibility disappointed 13 year old. Boats


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gunlaker Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2395 Location: lower mainland, B.C. Joined: Dec 13^th, 2010	Re: C Sharps 1874 firing pin/spring replacement Reply #4 - Mar 11^th, 2021 at 9:57am	Print Post
	With a Sharps it's nice to have a few spare parts. A couple of firing pins and a firing pin spring, a lever spring, and a transfer bar. That'll get you sorted out pretty fast almost every time. Those are the parts I've seen people break at matches. I seem to be super lucky with respect to Sharp rifles. I've put many thousands of rounds through both Shiloh and C. Sharps rifles and haven't had any breakage. I have replaced a couple of pins on Sharps rifles but that was because they started to look a little ugly . The main reason firing pins seem to break on the 1874's is either forgetting to put it on half cock and bending the pin, or letting too much crud build up in the breech block firing pin channel and recess. Chris.


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Dewphd Participating Member Offline Posts: 17 Location: Denverish Joined: Jan 29^th, 2017	Re: C Sharps 1874 firing pin/spring replacement Reply #5 - Mar 12^th, 2021 at 6:47pm	Print Post
	I think it was crud. Thanks for the feedback.


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Joe_S Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1058 Joined: Jun 29^th, 2004	Re: C Sharps 1874 firing pin/spring replacement Reply #6 - Sep 4^th, 2025 at 3:36pm	Print Post
	I started to have some light strikes ( and non-fires) on my Sharps with a two piece firing pin yesterday at an event. I disassembled the breechblock and cleaned the firing pin chanel, ( did not find much crud like I expected) but when I put the firing pin back in could not remember which way the spring goes. The spring I have has a few coils wrapped tight at one end and the other end is more open. Not sure what the correct terminology is for that. Not sure if it makes any difference but after cleaning and re-assembly the problem persisted. Any ideas how to trouble shoot this problem? Thanks! Joe S


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Joe_S Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1058 Joined: Jun 29^th, 2004	Re: C Sharps 1874 firing pin/spring replacement Reply #7 - Sep 4^th, 2025 at 9:46pm	Print Post
	I have the firing pin re-assembled and it seems to work OK will give it a test in the next day or two. One thing I did notice was I could use more firing pin protrusion, although it hasnt been a problem so far. At any rate, I placed a .020" disk of plastic behind the firing pin tip and Voila!, got an extra .020" firing pin protrusion which is way better than what I was getting. Since the disk of plastic is basically sandwitched between the firing pin tip and the firing pin block, I am hoping it will stay in place without causing problems. However, in reviewing my options, I came up with the following: 1. drill and tap the firing pin block and put in a set screw which can be adjusted to provide more or less firing pin protrusion as needed. Probably the best option. 2 insert a non-threaded rod which will protrude far enough ).020") to provide the extra firing pin protrusion 3) expoxy or glue a brass or plastic spacer to the back of the firing pin tip or the firing pin block. 4) Put the spacer in without glueing it and see how that goes. Not sure about drilling into the hardened firing pin block but I assume it can be done. If I use glue, I would probably try something flexible like hot glue to avoid being disintegrated by the repeated pounding of the hammer. If anyone have been there and tried any of these options or some better option, please let me know what you think. thanks! Joe S


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