Cimarron 1897 Lockup Issue.

[Berzerker]

Recently picked up a neat 1897 clone that was in rough shape, cleaned it up and got it mostly working but have a weird issue where the action will stay locked up when closed. With the hammer fully closed, holding the side button and holding the forearm forward it will still not pump. If the hammer is open and I hold the side button that allows the action to unlock, it will cycle just fine. So basically after I fire the shotgun I have to manually press the hammer down and hold the release button to cycle a new shell.

I know these clones are not known for quality but hoping someone has had this issue before and found a solution.

Thank you for your time!

EDIT: Fixed by tightening the hammer spring screw in the receiver so that the hammer had enough spring tension to push the breech block all the way in battery, allowing the gun to be cycled proper.

 

[straightshooter]

I don't know anything about the clones. But, a Winchester requires the slide to be moved sharply forward to unlock the action. This happens all by itself when you fire a shot, because the recoil snaps the whole gun back while your grip on the corn cob holds it in place. Assuming the clones function the same way, the action release is likely bent or jammed.

 

[Berzerker]

I don't know anything about the clones. But, a Winchester requires the slide to be moved sharply forward to unlock the action. This happens all by itself when you fire a shot, because the recoil snaps the whole gun back while your grip on the corn cob holds it in place. Assuming the clones function the same way, the action release is likely bent or jammed.

Ok so I played with what you said, and if I push the hammer forward into the action as I push the forend forward, it will then "click" and allow me to rack the gun. Once I push the forend forward and the action fully closes the hammer gets stuck in the safety position/halfcock. Then if I pull the trigger I get a stiff dead trigger that goes click and the hammer moves a small amount but nothing else.

 

[straightshooter]

As you mentioned, halfcock is the safety position, so the trigger is supposed to be stiff in that position. When you rack the gun the hammer is supposed to remain in the fullcock position and not continue past it to the halfcock position. The bolt should close and lock up. It’s hard to diagnose the issue through your eyes, but it sounds like the trigger was not reassembled correctly or has been damaged.

 

[straightshooter]

I didn’t see your edit above. The hammer spring is not intended to push the bolt into battery. You do that with the slide. The only time the gun should be able to cycle is after firing a shot, or when you give the slide a sharp shove forward.

 

[Berzerker]

I didn’t see your edit above. The hammer spring is not intended to push the bolt into battery. You do that with the slide. The only time the gun should be able to cycle is after firing a shot, or when you give the slide a sharp shove forward.

The hammer was super limp, like less then a half pound to move it. I tightened the screw to adjust it by almost 3 full turns and now it seems to be operating normally. The bolt was not even being pressed at all by the hammer before and now it rests into it slightly allowing me to rack the action after pushing forward on the forend alone.