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trapdoor lock removal (Read 347 times)

Joe_S Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1107 Joined: Jun 29^th, 2004	trapdoor lock removal Jun 7^th, 2026 at 12:26pm	Print Post
	Hello everyone! I took my trapdoor to a high power match today and the mainspring broke during prep time. I have an extra spring and a complete lock assembly, but I am having problems removing the old lockplate. I turned out the lockplate screws and gently tapped them to push the plate out, but after I tapped them as far as they would go the plate wont move. I am concerned that the stirrup or broken mainspring is preventing the plate from moving any further to the right, with the risk of damaging the stock if I use more force. I tipped the rifle upside down to get the benefit of gravity pulling the stirrup out of the way, no luck. Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks! Joe S


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1Hawkeye Senior Forum Member Offline Posts: 269 Location: South end of Northern Virginia Joined: Jun 29^th, 2019	Re: trapdoor lock removal Reply #1 - Jun 7^th, 2026 at 2:11pm	Print Post
	It might be hung up because of the spring but it will also help to loosen the tang screw when removing the lock assembly. Sometimes the plate is slightly held in place by dirt and or light rust so a gentle tap on the lock screws will help it loosen up.


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Joe_S Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1107 Joined: Jun 29^th, 2004	Re: trapdoor lock removal Reply #2 - Jun 7^th, 2026 at 2:38pm	Print Post
	Thanks Hawkeye, I thought the broken mainspring might be impeding the removal of the plate, so I wiggled the plate gently and tapped the mainspring pin which did allow me to remove the lockplate, only to find that the spring was not broke, but the stirrup was broke. The end result is I have a partially compressed mainspring stuck in the mortise and my mainspring vise will not fit in there to compress it. I could use a Dremel to cut the mainspring and replace it, but I would rather not have to replace the mainspring, if I dont have to. I do have a spare mainspring and a spare stirrup, so I could cut the mainspring as a last resort. the worst part is I cant even replace the lockplate ( I have a complete spare), so I am really in a bind now. Any ideas would be appreciated! Joe


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Joe_S Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1107 Joined: Jun 29^th, 2004	Re: trapdoor lock removal Reply #3 - Jun 7^th, 2026 at 2:38pm	Print Post
	Thanks Hawkeye, I thought the broken mainspring might be impeding the removal of the plate, so I wiggled the plate gently and tapped the mainspring pin which did allow me to remove the lockplate, only to find that the spring was not broke, but the stirrup was broke. The end result is I have a partially compressed mainspring stuck in the mortise and my mainspring vise will not fit in there to compress it. I could use a Dremel to cut the mainspring and replace it, but I would rather not have to replace the mainspring, if I dont have to. I do have a spare mainspring and a spare stirrup, so I could cut the mainspring as a last resort. the worst part is I cant even replace the lockplate ( I have a complete spare), so I am really in a bind now. Any ideas would be appreciated! Joe


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Joe_S Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1107 Joined: Jun 29^th, 2004	Re: trapdoor lock removal Reply #4 - Jun 7^th, 2026 at 3:05pm	Print Post
	update: I managed to gently pry the mainspring up just enough to get my mainspring vise on it and remove it. I have a complete three notch tumbler assembly and I will take the stirrup from that extra tumbler and hopefully get it back together. Another option would be to replace the entire tumbler assembly but I dont know how that would affect the trigger pull which is very nice right now. If anyone has any other suggestions please advise. All of my friends who had good supplies of trapdoor parts are either deceased of no longer in business. If anyone can recommend a good supplier, please advise. I have several thousand rounds through this rifle and this is the first time anything had to be replaced, which is a pretty good track record for a rifle over 140 years old! Thanks! Joe


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marlinguy Frequent Elocutionist Offline Ballards may be weaker, but they sure are neater! Posts: 18048 Location: Oregon Joined: Feb 2^nd, 2009	Re: trapdoor lock removal Reply #5 - Jun 7^th, 2026 at 5:23pm	Print Post
	I've used my small needle nose Vise Grip pliers to get into tight spaces and compress a hairpin style mainspring like that. Works great.

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Joe_S Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1107 Joined: Jun 29^th, 2004	Re: trapdoor lock removal Reply #6 - Jun 7^th, 2026 at 5:25pm	Print Post
	Now that I have the lock removed should the bridle and tumbler be lubed ? Joe S


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1Hawkeye Senior Forum Member Offline Posts: 269 Location: South end of Northern Virginia Joined: Jun 29^th, 2019	Re: trapdoor lock removal Reply #7 - Jun 7^th, 2026 at 7:15pm	Print Post
	You did what I'd have done to get the spring out, that or grab the lock pin on the spring and lift it straight up pivoting the spring to the left while pulling up. Yes, lightly oil all moving interior lock components and as for spare parts try S & S firearms in New York they've got a lot of original parts. Remember when you reinstall the lock don't run the screws down as tight as you can just snug will be fine and retighten the tang screw as well.


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oneatatime Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 4465 Location: Rocky Mountains Joined: Oct 30^th, 2011	Re: trapdoor lock removal Reply #8 - Jun 7^th, 2026 at 7:34pm	Print Post
	Speaking of broken stirrups, the ears on my 1902 Webley 450-400 3 1.4 inch sheared off. Turns out a S&W stirrup replaced it and all was well.


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