Uberti 1873 Lever gun firing pin binding

[Jakeway]

Not sure if this should go in Cowboy Guns or Gunsmithing.

My Uberti 1873 lever gun's Firing Pin extension is binding...it's supposed to snap back after firing, but when I push it in all the way it sticks. When I start to open the lever it then snaps back. I've seen videos where most guns you can push the pin in and it immediately snaps back when you quit pushing.

I've experienced several FTF from light hammer strikes, and I think the firing pin binding may be a contributing factor. (Though I also suspect hard CCI primers and weak tension on the hammer spring are also probable causes.)

How can this be fixed? Any suggestions or links to videos showing the fix would be greatly appreciated.

 

[4V50 Gary]

First step is to degrease the firing pin and the firing pin channel.

 

[44 Dave]

That is one of the reasons I love my1880 built '73, the "lawyer safeties" had not screwed up a perfectly wonderful design.

 

[Hawg]

That is one of the reasons I love my1880 built '73, the "lawyer safeties" had not screwed up a perfectly wonderful design.

The Uberti 73 doesn't have a lawyer safety.

 

[44 Dave]

Who's idea was all of those extra parts for the firing pin, that little "flipper" on the 1 piece pin retracted it just fine.

 

[Hawg]

That I don't know about, I don't own one but probably Uberti. I know they changed the spring on the lever safety from flat to coil.

 

[Jakeway]

I took it apart, cleaned it, and removed a few burrs in the action where the firing pin extension rides. Working fine now.