I

I
I

S I - C ] I ' I O N A LV I F , W O T ' T H E T " I ) . H . C H I C O P E I i C . F . A C T I O N

T h i s s h o w st h e a c t i o nc l o s e d .l o c k e da n d w i t h t h e h a m m e ri n t h e
"al rest" rebound position. This is the position the hammer is
a u t o m a t i c a l l l p l a c e d a f t e r f i r i n g b 1 t h e d e s i g na n d s h a p eo f t h e
m a i n s p r i n ga n d m a i n s p r i n gs t r u l . I t i s a l s o t h e S A F E p o s i t i o n i n
that the sear tip of the triggeris behind the SAFII notch on the
h a m m e r , b k l c k i n g t h c h a m m e r s o t h a t i t c a n n o t c o n t a c lt h e s p r i n g
r e t r a c t e df i r i n g p i n . N o t e t h e h o l e i n t h e t r i g g e ri n l i n e w i t h t h e s c a r
a d j u s t m e n ts c r e wi n t h e h a m m e r .A d j u s t m e n to f t h i s s c r e wc a n o n h b e m a d e w i t h t h e h a m m e r i n t h e r e b o u n dp o s i t i o n .

Fi g . 5 - 3
SF,CI'IONAI,

\ t[-\\ ol'
crocKl..t)AcTt0N
'I'his

s h o * s i l c l o s e c l .l o c k e d a n c l

f , l t t r t n e h a n r n r e cr o c k c d .N o t e t h a t t h e s e a re n '
g a g e n r e nat d j u s t m e n ts c r e wi n t h e h a n r m e rn o w l i n r i t s
( h e s e a re n g a g e n l e nt to a w o r k a b l en r i n i m u n r 'F i g s .5 - l
h n d 5 - 2 a l s os h o w t h e f u n c t i o no f , a n d t h e p u r p o s eo f , t h e s a f e l )
l e r e r p o s i t i o n e db e t n e e nl h e l o c k i n gl e l ' e ra n d l h e h a n l n l e r 'T h i s
s a f e l l l e l e r i s a c t i l a t e db 1 t h e l o c k i n gl e r e r . l - h e s o l ep u r p o s eo f
l h i s l e r e r i s ( o p r e v e n tl h e h a n t n t e rf r o n r b e i n gc o c k e da n d t h e r i f l e f i r e d U N L [ - S S t h e a c t i o n i s f u l l l l o c k e dc l o s e da n d t h e l o c k i n g l e v e r f u l l l e n g a g e du n d e r t h e l o c k i n g c r o s sb o l t . t i g . 5 - 2
s h o n st h e l o c k i n gl e v e rf u l l l l o c k e da n d t i p p i n gl h e s a f e t l l e r e r
o u t o f e n g a g e m e nnli t h t h e h a m n t e r t, h u s a l l o w i n gt h e h a n l n r e r
t o b e c o c k e da s s h o n n i n t h i s d r a w i n g . I f , h o w e r e r ,t h e l t l c k i n g
l e r e r i s < l n l 1p a r l l l c n g a g c da s s h r l u n i n t h e i n s c t o n F i g . 5 - 2 , ( h e s a f e t l l e l e r n ' o u l d b e e n g a g e di n l h e n o t c h p r o l i d e d f o r i t i n
l h e l r a n r r n e ra n c l ( h e h a n r n r e r i s b l o c k e d a n d c a n n o l b e c o c k e d . T h u s , i t i s a n i m p o r l a n l s a f e t ] d e l i c e t h a t p r e v e n t s l h e r i f l e

f r q n r 5 e i n g f i r e c lu n l e s si l i s f u l l l l o c k e d c l o s e d .D O N O T e l i n r i n a ( el h i s p a r ( r , r ' h e n r a k i n gt h i s r i f l e .
A l s 6 n o i e i n t i e . 5 - 2 a n d t h i s d r a u , i n gt h e s n r a l ls l u d o n t o p o f ( h e l n c k i n gl e r e r a n d t h e r e c e s si n t h e b o t ( o r t lo f t h e h a n l n r e r
s p u r ; l h i s i s a l s o a 1 i n r p r l r t a n ts a f e t l t l c v i c e( h a t p r e r e n l st h e a c t i n n f r o n r b e i n g u n l o c k e do r t l p e n e dw h i l e t h e h a n r n r e ri s
c o c k e d . l ) o n < l t e l i n r i n a l ei l e i t h e r .

l"ig. 5-4

sr,.ct't()NAl
\ u..\\ 0t'
o P l . . NA C t ' t O N
l his shuns lhe cxtraclur
crlended reanrard and lhe lock-

i n g l c r t r i n t h e u n l o c k e dp o s i l i o n . ' l ' hpel u n g r r

n ' h i c h a c t i l a l c s t h e e \ l r a c l o r i s s l r < t u nl r i t h d o t l c d
linesjust abovc the breech block pivot pin (seetigs.
-l
5-l artd 5-7). hc plunger and spring slightll rearnard of the brecch block pilol pin scrresluo funclions, l<l applr upuard lensirln l<t lhc er{raclor Io
h e l p k e e p i l e n g a g ed n i t h l h c e l l l p t ) c a s e d u r i r r g c r l r a c l i o r ra n d a l s o t < l a p p l l d < l n n w a r d l e n s i o n l < l l h e
h r e e c h b l o c k l o h e l p i l p o p o p e n u p r l n u n l < l c k i n gt h e
a c l i u n . A l s o r r o l et h e c u r r e d ( c u r l e d l o l h e r a d i u s o f
lhc brcech block pin) surfacesof thc rear ol'lhr
breech block and lhe support shoulder in lhe
reccircr.(Also sce t'ics. 5-6 and 5-7).

VT
t ' i g . 5 - 5 l l A S l ( ' R t : C l ' . 1 \l ' - R l ' A R l ' S
'l'his
d r a u i r r gs h o u s l h e b a r r e l s h a n k a n d l h e p a r t s n h i c h n r a k r u p t h e
r r c r i r e ra r t dl h c r n e t h o dl h r r c c e i r c ri s p u l t o g c t h e nr h c n s i l l e r b r a z i n gi s u s e d .
'lhe
t * o r e c e i r c rs i d c sa r c l o n g u r a
: n d g r o o r e dt < lt h e r c c e i r e r i n g a n d j o i n e d
'l
h r s i l r c rh r a z i i r g , h e f o u r s r n a l h
l o l c s( f < l u ro n e a c hs i d e )s h o l v ni n l h e g r o o r e

F,U"4

zi'r,7

Fr
L]
't./

of the rccciler ring arc prolided to hold

s h o r l p i e c e so f n i r e s i l r e r - s o l d e rp r i o r l o t h e
silrcr hrazing operalion. Also see tig. 5-6
frlr allernalc rnelhod in licu ol' silvers o l d c r in g .

Tl;

"25'"

75"

F-s'ee"-O
t'ie. 5-6 ASSI'.Mltl.l'.1)

l..t\ t..R

'I

"zd

o p , s i r l e a n d f r o r t l r i c u s o l ' l l t c a s s c r i r b l c dr e c c i r c r c o n s i s t i n go f f i r c p a r l s ; r e c c i r c r r i n g , t n o i d c n l i c a l
r e c e i r c r s i d c sa r r d l \ l o s u p p o r l s l t u u l t l e r ss i l r c r b r a z e da n d p i r r n c dt o l l r e s i d e s . ' l ' h es i d c r i c n s h < l l v sl h e r a d i u s
-I'he
t l i t i r c r t s i o rl to r l l t e c t t r r e d s u r f a c e so l ' l h e s u p p o r t s l t o u l c l c r ss, h u r rn i n d o l t e d l i n e s .
I ' r < l n lr i e l r s h o l r s a n
r l l t r t t a l e t l c l l t o d o f p r c p a r i r t gr e c ei l c r r i n g a n t l r c c e i r r r s i d c si f l h e s i d e sa r c a l l a c h e d b 1 o 1 1- a c el r l er r er l r a r c
rrelding.Sec tcrt Ior lrrrlhcr dctails.

o"
t.68
I
I

I
I

l7 7'!

t.t{

atat'

F i s . 5 - 7 L l ' . 1 ' " 1l t l t l ' . 1 ' . ( H l i l . O ( K S l l ) 1 . .

.l
his draning shous thc lcll brccch block sirlc
u i l h t h c t r i g g c r g r r a r r la l l a c h e d l o i l , a r r d l o p a r r d
'l'hr
l ronl r iru s ol il.
l r i g g c r g r r a r di s s i l r c r b r a z c d i r t p l a c r : , ' l ' n o b r e c c h b l o c k s i d c sa r e r c q u i r c d ,
b o l h i d e r r t i c a li r r s i z c a r r d s h a p e ,u i t h l h c t r i g g e r
guartl atlachrclurrll lo one sidc as shou n hcrc,
'l
l t e r a d i u s d i r i t c n s i r t rfr< l r l h r : c u r t c d r e a r s r r r l a c e
i s l l t e s a r n r a s l b c r a r l i u st l i r i r c r r s i osnh o n n i n l i g .
-I'hc
5-6,
c \ l r a c l o r a c t i ra t i r r g p i r r s h o * r r h c r r
aborr lhe pirot hole is a prcsslil irrlo lhe lcl't
brcrclt block ridc.
T1

.50"-

rTF

lN1

O r-:

u'

L"eo'-'l

l'ic.5-8TIRING PIN ASSI..MBLY

T h e f i r i n g p i n a s s c m b l l ,s h o l l i n g f r o n t a n d s i d ev i e w s
of thc firing pin block, front and side views of the
b r e e c hb l < l c kf a c c p l a l ea n d s i d e v i e w o f t h e f i r i n g p i n
a n d r c t r a c t o rs p r i n g .T h c g r o u r e dl o p o f t h e f i r i n g p i n
b l o c k s c r r c sa s t h e l o a d i n g p l a t f o r m . A W e a v e rs c o p e
m o u n l s c r e $ i s u s e dt < lj o i n t h e p a r t s t o g e ( h e ra s s h o w n
i n t h e s e c t i o n ad
l r a l r i n g s ,l ' i g s . 5 - 2 , 5 - 3 a n d 5 - 4 .

7J25"
FIA.
TH
t_l

t\

[.-.zso'l F_z.t?s
lig. 5-9 IIXTRACTOR
-fhe
I l e a r , s i d ea n d t o p v i e w so f l h e e x t r a c t o r .
e x t r a c t o rf i t s
b e t w e e nt h e b o t t o m o f t h e r e c e i v e rr i n g a n d t h e l o p o f t h e
b r e e c h b l o c k e x t e n s i o n s .l t f u n c t i o n s e q u a l l y w e l l w i t h
r i m m c d o r r i m l e s sc a r t r i d g e sd u e l o t h e t e n s i o np r o v i d e d b y '
t h e s p r i n ga n d p l u n g e rs h o w nc l e a r l y ' i nl i g . 5 - 4 . T h i s s p r i n g
t e n s i o na l l o w st h e e x t r a c t o rt o s n a pd o w n a n d b a c k u p b e h i n d
t h e r i m o n r i m l e s sc a s e sw h e n t h e a c t i o n i s c l o s e d .T h e t o p
v i e w s h o w st h e n o t c h p r o v i d e df o r t h e p l u n g e rw h i c h a c t i v a t e s
t h e e x l r a c t o r r e a r w a r du p o n o p e n i n g t h e a c t i o n . ( A l s o s e e
I ig.5-l)

.t3"
-.30"

.t5"

t i g . 5 - 1 0H A M M E R A \ I ) S E A R A N G L I . D E T A I I ,
T h e h a m m e ro f t h e l ' . 1 ) . H .c H I C O P t . u c . r . a c t i o n .I u r t h e r d c t a i l sa r e g i v e n i n t h e i n s t r u c t i o n s .

Fig.5-l I
HAMMI]R SATETY I{)CK T,F]VI]R
Side l'iew of the hammer safely lock
l e v e r . T h e f u n c l i o n a n d p u r p o s eo f t h i s
p a r t i s s h o w ni n l i g s . 5 - 2 , 5 - 3 a n d 5 - 4 a n d
f u l l l d e s c r i b e di n l ' i g . 5 - 3 .

ol

I
I

t ' i g . 5 - 1 2T l l l G G l - R
-l-op
a n d s i d e v i c w s o f t h c t r i g g e r ' S e et c x t f r l r d e l a i l s .

tr
ffi

"TE
I " i s . 5 - 1 3M A I N S P R I N ( ; S ' IR U T
S i d e a n d e n d v i e u s o f t h e r n a i n s p r i n gs t r u t a n d s t r u ( s l e e v e .

r75'4

I,l
L-J

-{

OE

l.-

l'ig. 5-l;l I.OCKING L[-\'l]R ANI) I,OCK CROSSBOLT

S i d ea n d e n d l i e w s < l f t h e b r e e c hb l o c k l o c k i n g l e v e ra n d t h e l o c k c r o s sb o l t .

tt*
l r l r l r l r l 'r l r l r rl l , l ' l ' lIr

l i g . 5 - 1 5T A N G A N D S T O C KB O L T
V i e w so f l h e t a n ca n ds t o c kb o l t .

*'-l

IH

o
m
z
{
m
;rl

I
I
I

i
I

i
-l

(,
I
-A

f\)

t i g . 5 - 1 6S T O C K A N D I ' O R E A R M
E x a c t s i z eo u t l i n e d r a * ' i n g o f t h e s t 0 c k a n d f o r e a r m o f t h e l - . D . H . C H I C O P E E
C . I . r i f l e s h o w ni n t h i s c h a p t e r .

C
z
m

&il,I
Fig. 5-18
This shows the drillpressset-up to grind the supporl
shoulders.
Seetexl for furtherdetails.

I'ig. 5-17
As describedin the text, this photo showsthe drillpresssetup to grind the radius surfaceon the rear of the breechblock
sides.

Instructions
andSequence
for MakingtheF.D.H. CHICOPEEC.F. Action
of Operations
As you may alreadyhave noticed if you have examinedthe
drawings, we have not provided you with every specification
o r a l l d i m e n s i o n so n m o s t o f t h e p a r t s . W e h a v e d o n e t h i s
p u r p o s e l y .l f , f o r e x a m p l e ,i n F i g . 5 - 1 0w e h a d s u p p l i e da l l o f
t h e d i m e n s i o n sn e e d e dt o m a k e t h e h a m m e r d r a w i n g a t r u e
mechanicaldrawing, it would havecoveredan entire pageand
o n e l o o k a t i t a n d y o u s u r e l yw o u l d h a v e t h r o w n u p y o u r
hands and given up on the entire project. Making such a
drawing would have been very difficult, but far lessdifficult
than it would be for you to make the hanrmer according to
t h o s ed i m e n s i o n s I. n s t e a d ,w h a t w e h a v ed o n e i s t o g i v e o n l y
the most critical dimensionsand the exact sized drawing of
the parts so that you can shapeeach part to your own liking.
I n t h e c u t t i n g o u t a n d m a k i n g o f m a n y o f t h e p a r t s ,s u c ha s
t h e h a m m e r ,w e s u g g e syt o u p u t m a s k i n gt a p eo n t h e p i e c eo f
s t e e lf r o m w h i c h t h e h a m m e ri s t o b e m a d e ,a n d u s i n gc a r b o n
p a p e rt r a c et h e o u t l i n eo f t h e h a m m e ro n i t , s p o t t h e h a m m e r
pin hole and drill it and then rough saw and file the hammer
t o s h a p e .L e a v ea l i t t l e e x t r am e t a lo n i t f o r t h e f i n a l f i t t i n g . I f
y o u d o n o t l i k e t h e s h a p eo f t h e s p u r o n o u r h a m m e r ,t h e ng o
a h e a da n d s h a p ei t t o y o u r o w n f a n c y . M a k i n g t h e h a m m e r
a n d o t h e r p a r t s i n t h i s w a y i s f a r e a s i e rt h a n m a k i n g i t a c c o r d i n g t o a s e t o f f i g u r e s .A n d , i f i n t h e m a k i n g o f a p a r t , y o u
find that you have removed a bit more metal than our drawi n g o r d i m e n s i o n ss h o w , o r y o u h a v e a h o l e d r i l l e d a f e w
t h o u s a n d t h so f f , i t p r o b a b l y w o n ' t m a t t e r a s y o u c a n c o m p e n s a t ef o r i t i n t h e m a k i n g a n d f i t t i n g o f a n o t h e rp a r t t o i t .
For example, the hammer safety lock lever, once you unders t a n d w h a t i t s f u n c t i o n i s a n d h o w i t h a s t o w o r k i t d o e sn o t
have to be made exactlyas shown in the drawingsor engaged
w i t h t h e l o c k i n g l e v e r a n d h a m m e r i n t h e e x a c t p l a c ea s w e
d i d . T h e e n t i r ed e s i g no f t h e C H I C O P E E a c t i o n i s s u c ht h a t
there are few vital specificationsto follow.

in correct alignmentwith the hole. The preferredmethod is to

cut the threadsin a lathe setupand in this casewe would sugg e s tg o i n g t o l 6 o r l 8 t h r e a d sp e r i n c h . Y o u c a n f i t t h e b a r r e l
to this part at the sametime. It is important that the unthreadedpart of the barrel shank be a close fit in the receiver
ring. A threadedportion 3/4" long is ample. Tighten the barrel in the receiverring and turn off the breechend flush with
the receiverring. After fitting the barrel set it asideuntil it is
t i m e f o r t h e f i n a l f i t t i n g a n d c h a m b e r i n g .l f y o u a r e g o i n g t o
silverbraze the receiversidesto the receiverring (Fig. 5-5) use
a l / 8 " W o o d r u f f k e y w a y c u t t e r t o c u t t h e g r o o v e si n t h e
receiverring, and also use it to cut the groovesin the receiver
sides. The four small holes in each of the grooves in the
receiverring serve to hold short piecesof silver-solderwire
during the silver brazing operaton. They need be only about
7/ 32" deepto hold 3,/16" piecesof wire and of a diameter a
b i t l a r g e r t h a n t h e w i r e y o u h a v e . I f y o u p l a n t o s t e e lw e l d
these parts together prepare the receiver ring and sides as
s h o w n i n F i g . 5 - 6 . S t e e lw e l d i n g w i t h o x y - a c t y l e n et o r c h o r
w i t h a n e l e c t r i ca r c w e l d e ri s t h e s t r o n g e rm e t h o d f o r j o i n i n g
t h e s ep a r t s .
R I . C E M R S I D E S ( s e eF i g . 5 - 5 )
U s e 3 / 1 6 " t h i c k n e s sc o l d r o l l e d f l a t s t o c k .T h i s s t e e lu s u a l l y h a s a h a r d s c a l es u r f a c et h a t i s r a t h e r u n s i g h t l ya n d o f t e n
pitted and we suggestthat it be removed. This can be done
q u i t e w e l l w i t h a b e l t s a n d e ra n d e m e r y c l o t h b e l t o r w i t h a
d i s c s a n d e r .T h e b e s t m e t h o d , h o w e v e r , i s w i t h a s u r f a c e
g r i n d e r . I f t h e p a r t s a r e t o b e s i l v e rb r a z e dt o g e t h e rm a c h i n e
t h e t o n g u ea n d g r o o v e st o m a t c ht h o s ei n t h e r e c e i v e r i n g a n d
s h a p et h e m t o t h e o u t l i n e sa s s h o w n .T h e f i t o f t h e t o n g u ea n d
groove cuts in the receiverring and receiversidesshould be an
easy sliding fit requiring little hand pressureto fit the pieces
togther, with just enough loosenessto permit silver-solderto
flow throughout the entire area. After the tongue and grooves
h a v e b e e n c u t i n t o t h e s i d e s ,s h a p eb o t h s i d e sa l i k e . I f t h e
parts are to be steelweldedtogether,merelybevel off the cor-

T H l . R E C E I V E R R I N G ( s e eF i g . 5 - 5 )
Make this part from cold rolled steel.You can use a standard tap to thread it if you have the meansof starting the tap
7E

n c r sc l 1 ' t h ej o i n t t o b e r v e l d e da s s h o w n i n t h e f r o n t e n d v i e w
o f F i g . 5 - 6 . D o n o t d r i l l a n y h o l e si n e i t h e rs i d ea t t h i s t i m e .
Y o u r n e r t j o b i s t o n r a k et h e b r e e c hb l o c k s i d e s .
B R [ - [ - C H B L O C K S I D E S ( s e eF i g . 5 - 7 )
U s e l / 4 " t h i c k c o l d r o l l e d s t e e lw i t h s c a l er e m o v e d .T w o
i d e n t i c a sl i d e sa r e r e q u i r e d .W e s u g g e s yt o u m a k e a c a r b o n
t r a c i n go f ' t h e b r e e c hb l o c k s i d e d r a w i n g o n a p i e c eo f c a r d b o a r d ,c u t t h a t o u t f o r a p a t t e r na n d t h e n u s ei t t o c u t o u t o n e
s i d ef r o m t h e p i e c eo f s t e e l .N o w c a r e f u l l ys p o t a n d d r i l l t h e
h a n i m e rp i n h o l e a n d t h e h i n g ep i n h o l e , l / 6 4 " f o r t h e h a m m e r p i r r a n d l 1 / 6 4 " f o r t h e h i n g ep i n . C l a m p t h i s d r i l l e d a n d
r o u g h l y ' c u ts i d e t o a n o t h e rp i e c eo f s t e e l ,d r i l l i t t h r o u g h t h e
h o l e si n t h e o n e s i d ea l r e a d yd r i l l e d a n d p i n t h e t w o t o g e t h e r
u i t h s n u g f i t t i n g p i n s . Y o u c a n u s e a p i e c ec u t o f f t h e d r i l l s
u s e d f o r t h e s ep i n s . T h e s e t w o h o l e s a r e n o w y o u r m a s t e r
g u i d eh o l e s f o r a l l t h e r e m a i n i n go p e r a t i o n so n t h e b r e e c h
b l o c k s i d e sa s t h e s es i d e sm u s t b e i d e n t i c a l .S a w o u t t h e s e c o n dp i e c et o m a t c h t h e f i r s t . M a r k e a c hs i d ei n s o m ew a y t o
i n d i c a t er i g h t a n d l e f t s i d e s .
Noi.v you are confronted with two operations that are
c r i t i c a la n d m u s t b e d o n e r i g h t . T h e f i r s t o n e i s t o f i l e o r
m a c h i n et h e t o p o f t h e b r e e c hb l o c k e x t e n s i o na n d t h e f a c e
( s t a n d i n gb r e e c h )o f t h e b r e e c hb l o c k l e v e la n d s q u a r et o e a c h
o t h e r .T h e s e c o n dc r i t i c a lo p e r a t i o ni s t o g r i n d o r m a c h i n et h e
r a d i a ls u r f a c eo n t h e r e a r o f t h e t w o s i d e s .T h i s i s q u i t e e a s i l y
d o n ei n a s i r n p l ed r i l l p r e s ss e t u p( F i g . 5 - 1 7 ) ,e s p e c i a l l ys o i f
1'our drill press is fitted with an Atlas compound feed acc e s s o r yT. a k e a s m o o t h a n d l e v e lb o a r d ( a l x 4 o n e f o o t l o n g
i v i l l d o ) a n d d r i l l a h o l e c e n t e r e da n d 3 " f r o m o n e e n d o f i t i n t o n , h i c hy o u d r i v e t h e g u i c i ep i n u s e di n t h e h i n g e p i n h o l e .
Y o u s h o u l dc l a m p t h i s b o a r d t o t h e d r i l l p r e s st a b l eo r i n t h e
c o m p o u n df e e da c c e s s o r a
y n d p l a c et h e b r e e c hb l o c k s i d e so n
t h ep i n s o t h a t t h e r e a r e n d o f t h e s i d e sp r o j e c to v e r t h e e n d o f
t h e b o a r d . U s e a l " r v i d e b y 4 " d i a m e t e rf i n e g r i t g r i n d i n g
u ' h e e lm o u n t e d o n a s h o r t a r b o r a n d c h u c k e d i n t h e d r i l l
p r e s sA
. d j u s t t h i n g ss o t h a t t h e r e a r o f t h e b r e e c hb l o c k s i d e s
c a n j u s t c o n t a c tt h e s u r f a c eo f t h e g r i n d i n g w h e e l .W i t h t h e
l v h e e lt u r n i n g a t i t s c o r r e c t s p e e da n d w i t h o n e h a n d o n t h e
b r e e c hb l o c k s i d e st o s l v i n g t h e m i n s h o r t a r c s a g a i n s tt h e
* h e e l , s l o l r ' l yI ' e e dt h e t a b l e t o w a r d s t h e w h e e l . G r i n d u n t i l
v o u h a v c a s m o o t h s u r f ' a c eo r u n t i l 1 , o uh a v eo b t a i n e dt h e a p prorimateradius of 3.82" as shown in Fig. 5-7. A, similar
s e t u pc a n b c u s c dt o g r i n d t h e c o n c a v es u r f a c e so n t h e b r e e c h
b l o c k s u p p o r t s h o r . r l d e r st h, i s w i l l b e d e s c r i b e dl a t e r .
t l R l : t - G P I \ B I . O C K A S S I , M B L Y ( s e eF i g s . 5 - 1 , 5 - 2& 5 - 8 )
U s e l / 4 " c o l d r o l l e d s t e e lt o r n a k et h e b l o c k a n d t o o l s t e e l
f o r t h e f a c e . N ' l a k i n ga n d p a r t i a l l y f i t t i n g t h e f i r i n g p i n b l o c k
a l o n g u i t h t h c l , / 8 " t h i c k b r e e c hf a c e i s t h e n e x t s u g g e s t e d
o p c r a t i o n .U s e a 6 r , 1 8\ f o ' e a v esrc o p em o u n t s c r e wt o a t t a c h
t h c b r e e c hf a c et o t h e f i r i n g p i n b l o c k a n d u s ea N o . 6 f i l l i s t e r
h e a ds c r e * ' ,3 2 , ' 1 0o r 4 8 t h r e a d ,t o h o l d t h e b l o c k i n p l a c ea n d
t h e b r c e c h b l o c k h a l v e s t o g e t h e r .T h e h o l e f o r t h i s s c r e w
s h o L r l db e d r i l l e d l o r v s o t h a t i t r v i l l b e h i d d e n b y t h e r e c e i v e r
s i d e sD
. o n o t d o a n y d r i l l i n g f o r t h e f i r i n g p i n h o l ea t t h i st i m e
or to finish the top of this assemblyM
. a k e s u r et h e b r e e c h
b l o c k s i d c sa r e p e r f c c t l ya l i g n e db e f o r ea n d d u r i n gt h e d r i l l i n g
a n d t a p p i n g o f t h e f i r i n g p i n b l o c k r e t a i n e rs c r e wh o l e .
ASSI.-MBI,ING RI-CF]IV ER SID!]S
B e f o r e s i l v e r - s o l d e r i nogr w e l d i n gt h e r e c e i v e rs i d e st o t h e
r e c e i r " er ri n g i t i s n e c c s s a rtyo s p o t a n d d r i l l o n e o f t h e r e c e i v e r

s i d e sf o r t h e h i n g ep i n . Y o u m a y h a v ea d i f f e r e n tw a y o f s p o t t i n g t h i s h o l e b u t h e r e i s t h e w a y w e d o i t . A s s e m b l et h e
r e c e i v e r i n g a n d t h e l e f t r e c e i v e rs i d ea n d h o l d t h e m t o g e t h e r
rvith a C-clamp, and making surethat the threadedend of the
receiverring is toward the front and that the front ends of
both parts are even. Now take the left breechblock side with
the firing pin block and breech face in place and place them
on the receiverside. Now take the 7/64" thtck pieceof metal
that you will later use for the baseof the extractor and placeit
between the receiver ring and the breech block extension.
Now push the breechblock side up and forward so that it is
firrnly in place and then clamp it there. Now, using the hole
already in the breech block side as the guide, drill the hole
t h r o u g h t h e r e c e i v e rs i d e f o r t h e h i n g e p i n .
Now preparefor the silverbrazing if you chooseto use this
m e t h o d ( F i g . 5 - 5 ) . R e m o v et h e c l a m p sa n d t h e b r e e c hb l o c k .
Remove any dirt and oil that may be on the areas to be
brazed. Apply a thin coat of silver solder flux to the tongue
and groove cuts on the receiversides.Insert a short piece of
wire silver-solderin each of the 8 holesprovided and position
the receiversidesin place on the receiverring. Even up the
ends of the receiversideswith the front of the receiverring
a n d c l a r n pt h e t h r e ep a r t s t o g e t h e r .T h e c i a r n ps h o u i dn o t b e
very tight as we want the silver-solderto flow throughout the
joint. If the clamping causesthe receiversidesto come closer
togetherat the bottom than at the joint, then you must placea
proper length support betweenthem during the brazing process.When you have it all aligned and clamped, place the
receiverbottom down on open jaws of a vise and with a low
flame from an oxy-acetylenetorch heat the brazing areaevenly to a dull red or until you seethe silver-solderhas flowed to
t h e e n d sa n d s i d e so f t h e s e a m s .L e t c o o l s l o w l y .
An alternate method of joining the receiver sides to the
receiverring is by steel welding, either by the oxy-acetylene
torch method or the electric arc procedure, preferably with
t h e M . l . G . m e t h o d . E i t h e r m e t h o d w i l l b e s a t i s f a c t o r ya n d
the strengthof the joints and the quality of the finishedjoints
will depend on your skill or on the skill of the welder you
choose to do the job. Much dependsalso on how well you
have preparedthe three piecesfor welding and how well the
three piecesare held together during the welding operation.
As shown in Fig. 5-6, you must prepare both sidesand the
ring to make room to lay in a bead of steelweld and it is best
done by beveling off the top outside corner of each receiver
side and both corners at the bottom of the receiverring.
The parts can be held and clamped together as described
above for silver brazing. After the welding is partly done you
can removethe spacerand clamp from the areathat still needs
more welding but leave in the spacerand the clamp on the
rear part of the receiveruntil the welding is finished and the
whole cooled. Afterwards you must dress down the excess
weld.
Now assemblethe breech block sides with the hammer
guide pin and the firing pin block assemblyin place,and with
the extractor basein place,insert and clamp the breechblock
in placein the receiver.Snug it up firmly, forward againstthe
receiver ring and up against it. Now drill the hole for the
hinge pin through the hole alreadyin the left receiverside and
through the holes in both breechblock sidesand on through
the right receiverside. If you wish you can finish this hole at
this time, enlargingit to 3/ 16" diameterand provide a pin for
it. Rather than drilling this hole to its final size, we suggest
you use a pin reamer and ream the hole instead.A 3/16" pin

r e a m e ri s a g o o d i n v e s t m e n tf o r t h i s p r o j e c t a s y o u w i l l h a v e
a n o l h e r u s e f o r i t l a t e r . T h i s w i l l a s s u r ep e r f e c ta l i g n m e n to f
t l r e 1 ' o u rh o l e s .A s f o r m y s e l f ,I p r e f e rt o u s ea t a p e r e dp i n f o r
t h e h i n g ep i n . T h i s a l s o a s s u r e sp e r f e c t l ya l i g n e dh o l e s ,b u t i n
a d d i t i o n , r e a l i g n st h e h o l e sa n y t i m ea f t e r w a r d s .
T R I G G F . R G U A R D ( s e eF i g . 5 - 7 )
N l a k i n ga n d a t t a c h i n gt h e t r i g g e rg u a r ds h o u l db e y o u r n e x t
i o b o n t h e C H I C O P E E C . F . a c t i o n .M a k e i t f r o m 3 / 8 " o r
l , / 2 " s q u a r ec o l d r o l l e d s t o c k o r s a w o r m a c h i n ei t f r o m t h a t
s a m ct h i c k n c s sf l a t s t o c k .I n e i t h e rc a s e ,s h a p ei t s i m i l a rt o t h e
c l r a ' . r i n g i,v i t h o r r . r ' i t h o u t h c d c c o r a t i v el i p s , a n d w i t h o r
r i i t h c l u tt h e s p u r . T h e f r o n t l i p p r o v i d e sa g o o d e n d i n gp o i n t
1 ' r rtrh e t r i g g e rs p r i n g h o l e , a n d i f y o u p r e f e r n o t t o h a v e t h e
s p u r , t h e r e a r l i p p r o v i d e sa p u r c h a s ep o i n t f o r y o u r f i n g e r i n
c l o s i n gt h e a c t i o n . H o w e v e ry o u m a k e i t , m a k e t h e b a s eo f i t
* h c r e i t a t t a c h e st o t h e b r e e c hb l o c k . 2 5 0 " t h i c k o r t h e s a m e
t h i c k n e s sa s t h e f i r i n g p i n b l o c k a s t h e s et w o p a r t sa r e t h e o n l y
p o i n t s t h a t s e p a r a t et h e t w o b r e e c hb l o c k s i d e s .D r i l l a n d t a p
t h e h o l e f o r t h e t r i g g e rs p r i n gt o a c c e p ta 6 x 3 2o r 6 x 4 0s o c k e t
h e a d s e t s c r e w ,p r e f e r a b l yt h e f i n e r t h r e a d e do n e . N o w d r i l l
t h r c eo r f o u r s m a l l h o l e sa b o u t 7 / 3 2 " d e e po n t h e l e f t s i d eo f
t h e b a s et o h o l d p i e c e so f w i r e s i l v e r - s o l d ear n d s i l v e rb r a z e
t h e t r i g g e rg u a r d t o t h e l e f t b r e e c hb l o c k s i d e .T h i s l e v e rc a n
also bc steel welded in place or attachedwith a screw.
H o u ' o ' c r , b e f o r ed o i n g t h i s , i f w i t h t h e b r e e c hb l o c k i n p l a c e
i n t h e r e c e i v e rt h e b o t t o m o f t h e r e c e i v e ra n d t h e b o t t o m o f
t h e b r e e c hb l o c k a r e n o t f l u s h , m a k e t h e m f l u s h b y f i l i n g o r
nrachining.
S U P P O R T S H O U l . t ) E R S ( s e eF i g . 5 - 6 )
U s e l / 4 " c o l d r o l l e d s t e e l .T h e s u r f a c e so f t h e s es h o u l d e r s
n r u s lb e p r e c i s e l ya n d s m o o t h l yg r o u n d t o t h e s a m er a d i u sa s
t l i e r e a r e n d o f t h e b r e e c hb l o c k s i d e s .W e s u g g e st h a t y o u
s t a r t * ' i t h p i e c e so f s t e e ll " w i d e a n d 1 / 8 " o r s o l o n g e rt h a n
t h c d c p t h o f t h e r e a r o f t h e r e c e i v e sr o t h a t a f t e r y o u h a v et h e
c o n c a v es u r f a c eg r o u n d i n t o o n e e d g eo f e a c h ,j u s t b e f o r et h e
silver brazing operation,you can cut most of the surplus
n r e t a lo f f . T o g r i n d t h e c o n c a v es u r f a c e ,w e u s e da 4 " g r i n d i n g r v h e e lo n a n a r b o r i n a d r i l l p r e s sa n d a h o l d i n g f i x t u r e
r n a d co f w o o d w h i c h p i v o t e do n a p i n o n t h e d r i l l p r e s st a b l e
( F i g . 5 - 1 8 ) .A s i m i l a rs e t u pw a s u s e dt o g r i n d t h e b r e e c hb l o c k
sidesO
. n t h i s w o o d f i x t u r ew e m o u n t e da s m a l ld r i l l p r e s sv i s e
s o t h a t i t s j a w s w e r e s q u a r ea n d h o r z o n t a lw i t h t h e t a b l e a n d
w h c c l .T h e g r i n d i n go p e r a t i o nf o r t h e s es h o u l d e r sh a s t o d i f f e r f r o m t h a t u s e d t o g r i n d t h e b r e e c hb l o c k i n t h a t w h e n
-urindingthe breech block the entire holding fixture was fed
i n t o t h e g r i n d i n g w h e e l ,w h e r e a s i n t h e s h o u l d e r sg r i n d i n g ,
the firture must remain stationary except that it is pivoted
a n d t h e s h o u l d e rp i e c e so n l y f e d i n t o t h e w h e e l .T h i s w e d i d
b 1 'g r i n d i n g o n e s h o u l d e ra t a t i m e h o l d i n g i t i n t h e v i s e a n d
u s i n gt h i n s t r i p so f p a p e rb e t w e e nt h e s h o u l d e rp i e c ea n d b o t t o m o f t h e v i s e f o r t h e f e e d i n gm o v e m e n ti n c r e a s e sW
. e first
roughl,vfiled in the concavebefore startingthe grinding. The
grinding had to proceeduntil a radius was obtained precisely
t h e s a m ea s t h a t o f t h e b r e e c hb l o c k . T h i s c o u l d b e m e a s u r e d
but rve preferred to judge that by visual inspection;holding
t h e b r e e c hb l o c k s i d e a n d s u p p o r ts h o u l d e rt o g e t h e ri n f r o n t
o f a l i g h t , a n d s t o p p i n gt h e g r i n d i n gw h e n n o l i g h t c a n b e s e e n
b e t w e e nt h e p i e c e s .
The radial surfaceson the rear of the breechblock sidesand
the support shoulderscan also be machined in by attaching
them to the face plate of a lathe. Machine the two breech

block sides together in one operation and the support

s h o u l d e r isn a n o t h e ro p e r a t i o n .
N o w c o m e s t h e f i t t i n g o f t h e s h o u l d e r st o t h e r e c e i v e r .
First, using fine emery paper, polish the ground surfaceson
the breech block sides and support shoulders. Install the
breechblock in the receiverand prevent it from swingingby
also inserting the extractor base in place betweenthe breech
b l o c k e x t e n s i o n sa n d r e c e i v e rr i n g . I n s e r t t h e t w o s u p p o r t
s h o u l d e r si n p l a c ew i t h a n o t h e rp i e c eo f l / 4 " t h i c k m e t a l b e t w e e nt h e m a n d c l a m p t h e m i n p l a c e .L o o s e nt h e c l a m p a b i t
and make certain the shouldersare snug against the breech
b l o c k a n d t h e n t i g h t e nt h e c l a m pv e r y t i g h t . N o w d r i l l t h e t w o
holesfor the anchor or guide pins as indicatedby the two dott e d c i r c l e sm a r k e d B i n F i g . 5 - 6 . W e s u g g e sut s i n g3 / 1 6 " d r i l l
rod for thesepins, first drilling the holesundersizedand then
reamingihem to size.Removethe clamp and you are ready to
remove the surplus metal from each shoulder. As each
shoulderis removed,mark it as you did the breechblock sides
so that they can be replaced on the correct side. With the
surplusmetal removed,drill 4 or 5 holes in the inside surface
of each shoulder for the silver-solderwire. File and clean the
contacting surfaces,put in the silver-solderpieces,flux and
reassemblethe shoulders and pins in their proper places.
R e m o v e t h e b r e e c h b l o c k . L i g h t l y c l a m p t h e s h o u l d e r si n
p l a c ea n d a p p l y t h e t o r c h . H o l d t h e r e c e i v e rw i t h p l i e r sw h i l e
h e a t i n gi t s o t h a t y o u c a n t u r n i t o v e r t o w a t c h t h e s i l v e r solder flow to the edges. If necessary,add a bit of silvers o l d e rh e r e a n d t h e r e b y t o u c h i n gt h e w i r e t o t h e h o t m e t a l .
W h e n t h e b r a z e da r e a sh a v ec o o l e d ,f i n i s h t h e j o b o f d r e s s i n g t h e s u p p o r t s h o u l d e rd o w n . A l s o c u t o u t t h e c e n t e rs e c t i o n s o f t h e p i n s t ' l u s hw i t h t h e i n s i d eo f t h e s h o u l d e ra n d t h e
e n d so f t h e p i n s w i t h t h e o u t s i d eo f t h e r e c e i v e r .
T A N G & S T O C K B O L T ( s e eF i g s . 5 - 1 , 5 - 2& 5 - 1 5 )
Top view of the receiver(Fig. 5-6) shows the recessat the
rear of the receiver.This recesscould be milled into the rear
end of each receiver side before they are attached to the
receiverring, and the support shoulderscut down to match
after the shouldersare fitted with the guide pins but before
they were silver brazedin place.Anyway, however,you do it,
t h e r e c e s s h o u l db e t h e r e .T h e t a n g a n d s t o c kb o l t w e u s e di s
a l / 4 " b o l t s i l v e rb r a z e dt o a 3 - 4 " l e n g t ho f 5 / 1 6 " o r 3 / 8 "
round rod that is in turn silver brazed into the center of a
1/8" thick plate about 3/4" wide and l" long. Four 6x48
Weaver scope mounting screws can be used to attach the
a s s e m b l yt o t h e r e c e i v e ro, r b e t t e ry e t , f o u r 6 x 4 8 s o c k e th e a d
cap screws.
L O C K I N G L E V E R & L O C K C R O S S B O L T ( s e eF i g s . 5 - 1
5 - 2& 5 - 1 5 )
Use 3/8" drill rod for the lock bolt and l/4" thick cold
rolled steel for the locking lever, although tool steel can be
u s e df o r t h i s l a s t p a r t . D r i l l a n d r e a m a 3 / 8 " h o l et h r o u g h t h e
b r e e c hb l o c k s i d e sa s s h o w n i n F i g . 5 - 7 . N o t c h t h e p i e c eo f
drill rod about one third to one half way through.Make the
l o c k i n g l e v e ra s s h o w n i n F i g . 5 - 1 1b u t a b o u t 1 , / 8 " l o n g e rt o
t a k e c a r eo f t h e h a n d f i t t i n g t h a t y o u w i l l h a v er o d o . D r i l l t h e
h o l e u n d e r s i z e dt h r o u g h i t f o r t h e p i n i t w i l l p i v o t o n , a n d
t h r o u g h b o t h r e c e i v e rs i d e sa s s h o w n i n F i g . 5 - 6 . W i t h t h e
l o c k i n g l e v e r p o s i t i o n e di n p l a c e , r e a m t h e h o l e t o 3 / 1 6 "
d i a m e t e r .U s e d r i l l r o d f o r t h i s p i n . N o w t h e l o c k i n g l e v e r
must be hand fitted so its upper shoulder engagesprecisely
u n d e r t h e l o c k i n gb o l t a s s e e ni n F i g s . 5 - 2a n d 5 - 3 . T a k e y o u r

time here. The locking lever must lock the action closed,
meaningthat it must hold the rear of the breechblock up. We
suggestthat you fit the locking lever so that it engagesunder
the lock bolt about half its area and then wait to do the final
fitting for full engagementuntil you have the rest of the action almost finished. However, we will describethe final fitting here so you know what will have to be done. When you
reachhalfway engagement,start cold bluing the locking contact areason the locking lever and lock bolt, force the locking
lever back and forth a few times and the worn bluing will
show you the high spots to dress down. You should end up
rvith flat and highly polishedlocking surfacesand a full, tight
engagement.When this point is reached,it is time to put in
the lock bolt retainer screw. Do the drilling of the hole with
the breech block in the receiver and the locking lever fully
engaged.Drill right on down and part way into the lock bolt.
Removethe lock bolt and tap the hole in the receiverside to
accepta pointed 6x40 sockethead set screw.Also, somewhere
along the line you have to drill the blind holes in the back of
the locking lever and in the front of the tang plate for the
locking lever spring. Use a medium to heavy tension spring,
drill the holes as deep as possiblewithout going through so
that the longest possible spring can be used. The lock bolt
doesnot have to be hardened if it is made of drill rod. The
locking lever needs to be hardened, especiallythe locking
shoulder, and if it is made of cold rolled steel then case
harden it using Kasenit. But it should not be hardenedjust
yet.
At this point it is time to modify the breechblock so that it
can be swung open and closed with the extractor base in
place.This is done by removing a bit of metal from the top
front cornersof the breech block extensionsas shown by the
d o t t e d l i n e A i n F i g . 5 - 7 . O n l y e n o u g h m e t a l i s r e m o v e dt o
a l l o w t h e b r e e c hb l o c k t o s w i n g o p e n t o b r i n g t h e t o p o f t h e
breechblock that contains the firing pin block to stop near
t h e b o t t o m e d g eo f t h e c h a m b e r .T h e e x t r a c t o rb a s em u s t b e
i n p l a c ew h e n t h i s i s d o n e . A f t e r t h e c h a m b e rh a sb e e nm a d e ,
u ' h i c h s h o u l d b e t h e n e x t o p e r a t i o n ,o n l y t h e n i s i t t i m e t o
groovethe top of the breechblock and make the final adjustment on the front of the extensionsto bring the grooved
breechblock in line with the chamber to serveas a loading
platform. Removemetal from the cornerssparingly,useinletting black as a spotting compound so that you can seewhat
y'ouhave to do to get both extensionsthe same.
C H A M B E R I N G A N D E X T R A C T O R ( s e eF i g s . 5 - 1 ,5 - 2 , 5 - 4
& 5-9)
If y'ou have fitted the breechblock so that its face contacts
t h e b r e e c he n d o f t h e r e c e i v e r i n g , t h e n t h e b r e e c he n d o f t h e
barrel should also be flush with the receiverring when it is
t u r n e di n a n d s e t u p t i g h t . I n a n y c a s e ,y o u s h o u l d m a k e t h e
breechingup a squareand precisefit; that is, the breech face
of the breechblock must be perfectly level, the breechend of
the receiverring and barrel also squareand flat, so that when
the breechblock is closedand locked the two breechfacesare
i n l u l l a n d e v e n c o n t a c tw i t h e a c h o t h e r . A l l t h i s f i t t i n g a n d
c h e c k i n gm u s t b e d o n e w i t h t h e e x t r a c t o r b a s e i n p l a c e .
Everl'thing will not necessarilygo as planned and if after all
t h e u o r k - v o uh a v ed o n e s o f a r y o u f i n d t h a t y o u c a n s e el i g h t
betu'eenthe breech faces,then merely put in a thicker breech
f a c e ,o r i f t h e r e i s a g a p o n t o p a n d n o t o n t h e b o t t o m , y o u
ma-vhave to file the face plate thinner to obtain evencontact.
T h e c h a m b e r i n gi s b e s t d o n e w i t h t h e b a r r e l r e m o v e d .A l l

that is neededis a finish chamberingreamer. For most small

cartridgesthe chamberingcan be done by hand power with a
tap wrench, or the chamber cut to nearly full depth in a lathe
setup and finished by hand. Use a new empty cartridge case
for the headspacegauge, cutting the chamber to a depth so
that the head of the caseis flush with the breech end of the
barrel. Use plenty of cutting oil while chamberingand be sure
to cleanall chips and oil out of the chamberbefore testingfor
headspace.If you happen to cut the chamber too deep, that
i s , i f t h e c a s ec h a m b e r sm o r e t h a n . 0 0 3 " b e l o w f l u s h , w e a d vise refitting the barrel back a quarter or half a turn and then
cutting the chamber so the casehead is no more than .002"
below the breech face. If, after replacing the barrel, the
breechblock won't closefully with a casein the chamberthat
may mean that the chamber isn't deep enough.
Now is the time to make and fit the extractor. Use the base
that you already have been using, as it is of correct thickness
since the breech block position has been determinedby that
thickness.The baseshould be approximately .750" wide and
2 - l / 8 " l o n g . U s e t h e n a r r o w e d g eo f a 6 " m i l l f i l e t o f i l e t h e
slot in the receiverring and barrel for the extractor hook.
This cut, or slot, should be made approximatelyat a 45 degree
angle in the center bottom of the barrel and receiver ring
breechface. As shown in the sectionalview drawings,it has to
be deep enough for the top of the extractor to engagethe cart r i d g er i m b u t n o d e e p e r .A n d i t s h o u l db e l / 8 " w i d e . W e d i d
it this way: A piece of double-sidedadhesiveor scotch tape
was placedon the bottom of the receiverring and the extractor base positioned on it. Then holding it in place with one
finger, the cut for the extractor hook was filed in through the
base, receiverring and barrel all at the same time. When the
approximatecorrect depth was reached,which is just beyond
the cartridgerim recessin the chamber, the basewas removed
and the notch in the receiverring and barrel widened slightly
and the cornerssquared.Now the basewas repositionedand
the slot in the base deepeneda trifle but not widened and a
small pieceof l/8" thick metal much larger than neededwas
fitted into that slot tight enough so that it would stay in place
while silver brazing it. After silver brazing it in place, it was
cleaned up and all of the surplus metal at the bottom was
removed. Then we carefully removed metal from the front
until the breech block could be fully and easily closed and
locked with the extractor in place. Lastly, we shortenedthe
tip of the hook to chamberleveland with the extractor held in
placethe chamberingreameris usedto cut in the rim recessto
matchthe chamber.
Figs. 5-l and 5-7 show the location of the extractor activator pin and the extractor plunger and spring. The latter
servesto hold the rear end of the extractor up and allows it to
slip over the cartridge rim. 7/ 64" diameterpins are adequate.
A notch to match that of the foremost pin must be precisely
cut into the side of the extractor base. Both the plunger and
activator pin must be checkedto seethat they can be depressed sufficiently and are just short enough so as not to interfere
u i t h t h e c l o s i n go f r h e a c r i o n .
F I R I N G M E C H A N I S M ( s e eF i g s .5 - l , 5 - 2 , 5 - 3 , 5 - 45 - 1 0 , 5 - 1 2
& 5-13)
Sincethe firing mechanismin this action is almost identical
t o t h e o n e i n t h e F . D . H . C H I C O P E E R . F . a c t i o nw e s u g g e s t
you carefully read the instruction in the preceedingchapter
under the headingFiring Mechanism,as theseinstructionsapply equally to the C.F. action and are more detailed.

T h e f i r i n g m e c h a n i s mc o n s i s t so f t h e h a m m e r , t r i g g e r ,
m a i n s p r i r r ga s s e m b l ya n d t h e p i n s a n d s p r i n g sf o r t h e s ep a r t s .
L e t ' s s t a r t w i t h t h e h a m m e r , s e eF i g . 5 - 1 0 . U s e l / 4 " c o l d
rolled steel. Size and shape it as per the drawing, spot and
d r i l l t h e h o l e , b u t d o n o t c u t i n t h e n o t c h e si n t h e b o t t o m o r
b a c k . A f t e r d r i l l i n g t h e h o l e , p l a c et h e h a m m e r b e t w e e nt h e
b r e e c hb l o c k s i d e sw i t h t h e h o l e sa l i g n e da n d e n l a r g et h e h o l e
for the hammer pin to 1/8". Make the strut next, using a
pieceof l/4" cold rolled steeland a pieceof temperedspring
r v i r e , . 1 2 0 " i n d i a m e t e r ,t h e l a r g e s td i a m e t e rs p r i n g w i r e i n
the Brownellwire spring assortmentD
. rill the hole slightly
u n d e r s i z ea n d p r e s st h e s p r i n g w i r e s t e m i n p l a c e . W e u s e d
l , / 4 " s q u a r er o d t o m a k e t h e s l e e v ea n d l / 4 " O . D . h e a v yt e n s i o n s p r i n gf o r t h e n t a i n s p r i n gS
. h a p et h e h e a do f t h e s t r u t s o
t h a t w i t h t h e m a i n s p r i n gi n p l a c e ,t h e s t r u tw i l l c a u s et h e h a m m e r t o r e b o u n da b o u t l , / 8 " f r o m t h e f i r i n g p i n b l o c k .
M a k c a n d f i t t h e t r i g g e rn e x t . ( F i g . 5 - 1 2 )a n d m a k e i t f r o m
c o l d r o l l e d s t e e l .M a k e t h e s e a rt i p a b i t l o n g e r a n d f a r t h e r
lorrvard than shown. The hoies for the trigger pin as well as
t h e s a f c t yl o c k l e v e rc a n b e d r i l l e d c l e a rt h r o u g h b o t h b r e e c h
b l o c k s i d e sb u t i f t h i s i s d o n e t h e s ep i n s w i l l s h o ww h e n t h e a c t i o n i s o p e n . I f y o u w a n t t h e p i n s h i d d e n t h e h o l e sc a n b e
s p o t t e di n s i d et h e r e c e i v e rs i d e sa n d d r i l l e dp a r t w a y t h r o u g h .
\ [ ' h i l e d o i n g t h e f i t t i n g a l s o h a v et h e l o c k b o l t a n d t h e f i r i n g
p i n b l o c k i n p l a c e .C u t t h e m e t a l b e h i n d r h e s e a re n d o f t h e
t r i g g e rd o w n s l i g h t l ys o t h a t t h e h a m m e r c a n s w i n g o v e r i t .
N o w 'm a r k a n c lc u t t h e s a f e t yn o t c h i n t h e h a m m e r .L e a v et h e
r n c t a la t l e a s ta s t h i c k a s i n t h e d r a w i n g .I t i s b e t t e rt o s h o r t e n
t h e s e a re n d o f t h e t r i g g e rt h a n t o m a k e t h e m e t a l i n f r o n t o f
t h e s a f e t yn o t c h t o o t h i n . T h e s e a rt i p m u s t b e s h a r pa n d r e n r a i n s o , a n d i n o r d e r t o p r e v e n tf u t u r e d a m a g et o i t f r o m a
p o s s i b l ea c c i d e n t ahl a m m e r b l o w o r f a l l , t h e s a f e t yn o t c h i n
t h e h a m m e rm u s t b e s o m a d e t h a t t h e s e a rt i p d o e sn o t c o m e
i n c o n t a c tr v i t h t h e b o t t o m o f t h e n o t c h b u t t h a t t h e f r o n t o f
t h e t r i g g e rj u s t b e l o r vt h e s e a re d g ed o e st h e s t o p p i n g( F i g s .
5 - 2 & 5 - 4 ) .A s s e r n b l et h e m a i n s p r i n ga n d s t r u t a n d m a k e f u r t h e r a d j u s t n t e n t sW
. h a t y o u w a n t i s a s u f f i c i e n tr e b o u n d o f
t h e h a r n m e rs o t h a t t h e t r i g g e rw i l l f a l l i n t o t h e s a f e t yn o t c h
a n d a t t h e s a n t et i m e t h e n o s eo f t h e h a m m e rw i l l b e o f f o f t h e
l i r i n g p i n , a n d c a n n o t r e a c ht h e f i r i n g p i n i f t h e h a m m e r i s
p u s h e df o r w a r d . T h e a n g l e o f t h e s a f e t y n o t c h s h o u l d b e
e n o u g hs o t h a t t h e t r i g g e rc a n n o ts l i p o u t o f i t w h e n t h e h a m r r i e ri s p u s h e do r k n o c k e d f o r w a r d .
T h e n e x t s t e p i s t o c u t t h e s e a rn o t c h i n t o t h e h a m m e r . I t
m u s t b e o n t h e s a m er a d i u s a s t h e s a f e t yn o t c h . T o l o c a t e
w h e r et h e s e a rn o t c h h a st o b e , c o c k t h e h a m m e rs o i t s s p u r i s
a g a i n s tt h e l o c k b o l t a n d t h e n m a r k t h e h a m m e r w h e r e t h e
t r i g g e rt i p i s . T o d o a w a y r v i t h m u c h o f t h e w o r k o f c u t t i n gi n
a s h a l l o ws e a rn o t c h a s m o s t h a m m e rg u n s h a v e , w e m a k e a
d e e p s t e p n o t c h a n d p r o v i d e a s e t s c r e wt o l i m i t t h e t r i g g e r
e n g a g e m e nwt i t h i t . C u t t h e r e a r e n g a g e m e nst u r f a c eo f t h i s
s t e pn o t c h a t a n a n g l eo f a b o u t 3 t o 5 d e g r e e sf r o m t h e c e n t e r
o f t h e h a m m e rp i n h o l e s o t h a t t h e t r i g g e rt e n d sm o r e t o s t a y
e n g a g e dt h e r er a t h e rt h a n s l i p p i n go u t o f i t s o w n a c c o r d .S e e
F i g . 5 - 1 0 f o r t h e s u g g e s t ea
d n g l e so f t h e s e a rn o t c h a n d t h e
f r o n t o f t h e t r i g g e r .O f c o u r s e ,t h e f r o n t s u r f a c eo f t h e t r i g g e r
m u s t b e s i m i l a r l ya n g l e d ,o r e v e ns l i g h t l ym o r e s o . S t r i v ef o r
the marimum hammer swing and place the sear notch to
a c h i e v ei t , a n d i t w o n ' t h u r t i f y o u u n d e r c u tt h e u n d e r s i d eo f
t h e h a m m e rs p u r t o g e t m o r e s w i n g .D r i l l a n d t a p t h e h a m m e r
for 6x32 or 6x40 socket head set screw to limit the sear
engagementand drill an accesshole in the trigger to make the
a d j u s t m e n t .A l s o d r i l l a s h a l l o wh o l e i n t h e f r o n t b o t t o m o f

t h e t r i g g e r i n l i n e w i t h t h e t r i g g e rs p r i n g h o l e i n t h e t r i g g e r
g u a r d . U s e a m e d i u mt e n s i o ns p r i n gf o r t h e t r i g g e r .A t r i g g e r
o v e r t r a v e sl c r e wc a n a l s ob e i n s t a l l e di n t h e t r i g g e rt o c o n t a c t
t h e b o t t o n r o f t h e l o c k i n g l e v e r .A n d n o w t h a t y o u h a v e t h e
h a m m e r m a d e , i t i s t i m e t o i n s t a l lt h e s m a l lp i n i n t h e t o p o f
t h e l o c k i n gl e v e ra s s h o w ni n F i g s .5 - 2 , 5 - 3a n d 5 - 1 4 .A 5 / 6 4 "
p i n w i l l d o a n d i t m u s t b e a t i g h t p r e s sf i t i n t h e l o c k i n g l e v e r .
L a s t l y ,d r i l l a s h a l l o wh o l e 5 / 3 2 " i n d i a m e t e ri n t h e b o t t o r n o f
t h e h a m m e r s p u r . T h e p u r p o s eo f t h i s s i m p l ea r r a n g e m e n its
t o p r e v e n tt h e o p e n i n g o f t h e a c t i o n w h e n t h e h a m m e r i s
cocked.
A f t e r t h e a c t i o nh a s b e e na s s e m b l e ydo u s h o u l dt e s tt h e f i r i n g r n e c h a n i s mt o m a k e c e r t a i n t h e h a m m e r c a n b e c o c k e d ,
s t a y c o c k e d a n d t h a t t h e h a m m e r r e b o u n d sp r o p e r l y e a c h
t i m e i t i s s n a p p e dt o a l l o w t h e t r i g g e r t o e n g a g eb e h i n d t h e
S A F E n o t c h . I f t h i s d o e s n o t h a p p e n t h e n c o r r e c t i v es t e p s
must be taken.
H A M M I . R S A I E T Y L O C K L E V E R O R B L O C K ( s e eF i g s .
5 - 1 , 5 - 2 , 5 - 3 , 5 - 4 a n d 5 - 1l )
T h i s p a r t c a n b e m a d e o f c o l d r o l l e d o r t o o l s t e e l .T h i s i s a
s r n a l lp a r t , b u t a v e r y i m p o r t a n t o n e . l t m u s t n o t b e o m i t t e d .
I t s f u n c t i o n i s t o p r e v e n tt h e r i f l e l r o m b e i n g f i r e d u n l e s st h e
b r e e c hb l o c k i s f u l l y l o c k e d . I n o t h e r w o r d s , u n l e s st h e l o c k i n g l e v e r i s f u l l y e n g a g e du n d e r t h e l o c k b o l t , t h e h a m m e r
c a n n o t b e c o c k e d .l t s f u n c t i o n i s s h o w n i n F i g s . 5 - 2 a n d 5 - 3 .
I t r e q u i r e sh a n d l i t t i n g a n d w e c a n o n l y s u g g e s t h a t y o u
c l o s e l yl o o k a t t h e d r a w i n g ss h o w i n gt h e p a r t s i n v o l v e da n d
t h e n d u p l i c a t ee v e r y t h i n ga s c l o s e l ya s y o u c a n . I t d o e s n o t
h a v et o b e e x a c t l yt h e s a m ea s s h o w n t o w o r k - i t m i g h t w o r k
j u s t a s w e l l i f m a d e a b i t d i f f e r e n t .M o u n t i t o n a 3 / 3 2 " p i n
a n d u s ea l i g h t t e n s i o ns p r i n gb e t w e e nt h e t r i g g e ra n d t h e s a f e t y l o c k l e v e r .O n e w a y o f d o i n g t h i s i s b y d r i l l i n g b l i n d h o l e s
i n b o t h p a r t s p o s i t i o n e dd i r e c t l y a b o v e o r c l o s e b e h i n d t h e
t r i g g e rp i n p i v o t h o l e a s s h o w n i n F i g s . 5 - 2 , 5 - 3a n d 5 - 4 . T h e
p r o b l e m w i t h t h i s a r r a n g e m e n ti s t o a s c e r t a i nt h e c o r r e c t
I e n g t ho f s p r i n gt o u s ea n d g e t t i n gi t i n p l a c ei n a s s e m b l i n g
the
a c t i o n . \ \ ' e m a d e o u r r i f l e t h i s w a y b u t l a t e r c h a n g e di t a s
s h o w n i n F i g . 5 - 1 2 b y p l a c i n gt h e s p r i n g f a r r h e rb a c k a n d
d r i l l i n g a n d t a p p i n ga h o l e c l e a rt h r o u g ht h e t r i g g e rj u s r r o r h e
r e a r o f t h e t r i g g e rp i n p i v o t h o l e a n d u s i n ga p l u g s c r e wi n t h e
b o t t o m o f t h i s h o l e a n d d r i l l i n g a m a t c h i n gb l i n d h o l e u n d e r
t h e s a f e t yl e v e r .l n t h i s w a y t h e s p r i n gc a n b e i n s e r t e di n t o t h e
h o l e a n d t h e p l u g s c r e r vt u r n e di n t o a d j u s tt h e s p r i n gn o m o r e
than rreeded
t o m o v e t h e l o c k i n gl e v e r .T h i s s p r i n gs h o u l dn o t
s u b s t i t u t ef o r t h e t r i g g e r s p r i n g e v e n t h o u g h i t d o e s s u p p l y
: o r r i ct e n s i o nt o t h e t r i g g e r .
F I R T N GP I N ( s e eF i g s .5 - 1 , 5 - 2 & 5 - 8 )
U s e a p i e c eo t l l / 6 4 " d r i l l r o d . S p o t t h e f i r i n g p i n t i p h o l e
i n t h e b r e e c hf a c e w i t h a c e n t e r p u n c ht h r o u g h t h e i l a s h h o l e
o f a n e m p t y c a r t r i d g ec a s ei n t h e c h a m b e r .R e m o v et h e f i r i n g
p i n b l o c k a s s e m b l yf r o m t h e b r e e c hb l o c k a n d p o s i t i o ni t f a c e
u p i n a d r i l l p r e s sv i s e a n d d r i l l a 5 / 6 4 " h o l e t h r o u g h t h e
b r e e c hf a c ea n d l / 8 " o r s o i n t o t h e f i r i n g p i n b l o c k . R e m o v e
t h e b r e e c hf a c e .U s e a s m a l l c e n t e rd r i l l t o f u n n e l t h e s h a l l o w
h o l e m a d e b y t h e p r e v i o u sd r i l l i n g . T h e n w i t h a l l / 6 4 " d r l l l ,
c a r e l u l l yd r i l l t o l / 8 " o f g o i n g t h r o u g h . T h e n g o o n t h r o u g h
r . r ' i t ha 9 1 6 . 1 "d r i l l . N o l r ' n r a k cr h e f i r i n g p i n t c l f i r . T h e t i p a n d
t h e r e a r e n d , o r b a s e ,s h o u l d b e m a d e l o n g e rt h a n n e e d e dt o
b e s h o r t e n e da s r e q u i r e d .W h e n f u l l y r e t r a c t e dt h e t i p m u s t b e
f i n i s h e df l u s h w i t h t h e b r e e c hf a c e a n d t h e b a s ee n d p r o t r u d e
f r o m . 0 5 0 - . 0 5 5 " .C o n v e r s e l y ,i f f u l l y d e p r e s s e dt h e t i p w i l l

protrudethe sameamount.Usea light retractorspringthat is

strongenoughto reliablyretractthe firing pin. The mostimportantrequirement
is to havethe tip a closebut bind freefit
in the hole in the breechface and ro havethe tip smoothly
rounded.We recommend
that the firing pin be hardened
and
tempered.
STOCKAND FOREARM (seeFigs.5-B & 5-16)
Thelinedrawingis an exactsizedividedoutlineof thestock
and forearm on our rifle and it can be a guidein the making
andshapingof the stockand forearmyou may want on the rifle you build. The forearm is attachedby one 8x32 fillister
head screw in a brassescutcheonthreadedinto an anchor
block which is in turn attachedto the barrel by two 6x48
scopemounting screws.We shapedthe stock and forearm
whereboth contactthe receiverto leavehalf-roundpanelsto
givethe rifle a continentalappearance.
We alsomakeit more
continentalin looks by addingan ebony forearmtip and fitting the stock with a pressedhorn buttplateand pistol grip
cap. This takes extra work but we feel it was worth it.
However,you may want to makeyour stockand forearmdifferently,perhapswith a fuller forearmand pistolgrip without
thepanels,or if you are makingthe rifle for a smallpersonto
makethe stock shorterand the pistol grip shorterand closer
to the trigger.
FINISHINGTOUCHES
If you have usedtool steelto make any parts suchas the
lockinglever,hammer,etc., then theseparts must also be

83

hardenedand tempered.If you havemadetheseparts from

cold rolled steel,then they must be casehardened.This is
easilydone usingKasenit.The entirehammershouldbe so
treatedoncewith the lower areaof the searnotch donetwice
as directedon the Kasenitcontainer.Only the searend of the
trigger need be done and that done twice for extra deep
hardening.Thereare a few unfinisheditemsso far not mentioned.Specialattentionshouldbe givento the sear.Make
sure than when the hammer is cocked, the trigger engages
behindthe searadequatelyso that the hammerwill positively
not disengage
from it unlessthe triggeris deliberatelypulled.
Adjust the searengagement
screwand the tensionof the trigger spring to ensurea positive engagementevery time the
hammeris cocked.Thetriggerweightof pull oughtnot be less
than 3 pounds.You may alsowant to havea setscrewto hold
the hingepin from turning or comingout. We urgeyou do a
lot of polishingon everysurface,both insideand out of the
action. Be sureto polish the parts that needcasehardening
beforedoing the casehardeningand then polish them lightly
afterwards.There may be somelast minute fitting and adjusting to do suchas increasingor shorteningthe hammerrebound to no more or lessthan necessary,to hone the sear
faces and to lap the curved contact surfacesbetweenthe
breechblock and the supportshoulders.You may also want
to bevelsomeof the edgesof the receiverto improve its appearance.Be sure to stamp the caliber on the barrel. Also
stampyour nameand the dateif you are so inclined.And, if
therifle is onethatyou will be proudof, we won't mind if you
stamp"F.D.H. CHICOPEE C.F." on the receiverring.