encore trouble...

[MJO]

bad news, I was supposed to take Sophia out on Sunday evening for youth season.  we went to a friends farm after school yesterday for a last check of equipment.  Sophia is going to shoot my 7-08 encore.  I found a wood stock an cut it down, fits perfect.  I give her one bullet she loads it properly, closes the barrel, gets on target, pulls the hammer back, a smooth squeeze, the hammer comes down, (no flinch)... misfire or light strike? you could see the impression on the primer but it was light.  I take shell out and give her another one.... same steps except now the hammer will not stay back.  I get the gun and I cannot get the hammer to stay back.
 
unless this is an easy fix no youth season and I will probably have to go back to the Ruger 44mag for my gun season. 
 
any ideas?  gun was only dry fired once about 4 years ago.  It worked flawlessly every time I have ever used it.

factory loads, the same loads I have used for the past three years.  I was not concerned about the misfire or the light strike (although I think they are related.)
 
When I pull the hammer back it will not lock back in the ready to fire position.  I can feel it trying to catch but it does not catch enough and the hammer comes forward as soon as I take my thumb off the hammer.

I got home today and took the barrel off and re attached it.  The first time I pulled the hammer back it held!!!!  Felt good, let the hammer down, called my daughter down to tell her about it, and showed her....hammer would not stay back!

MJO

[30HERRETT]

Seems like the barrel is not locking up on the frame the way it should.
Do you have another pin that holds the barrel on  ?
If so try that . A couple of thousands will make a difference .

[tlyne]

One of many causes is your stock bolt needs to be shimed. Bolt is getting in the way of inside (bolt too long)of the frame.

[Keith L]

Always look at the last thing changed.  You changed the stock and one of the most common causes for the trouble you describe is the stock bolt is to long.  Remove the bolt, put a couple washers under the bolt head, put it back together and try it again.  I bet it goes bang and you won't have to spend any money with the censored one.

FWIW, this is a handgun forum, and you are asking a rifle question.  

[luckydawg13]

Always look at the last thing changed.  You changed the stock and one of the most common causes for the trouble you describe is the stock bolt is to long.  Remove the bolt, put a couple washers under the bolt head, put it back together and try it again.  


+ 1

[Hopalong7]

     Yep...."been there and done that and bought the T-shirt" on this one.  Keith L and tlyne are dead on.
And...Good Luck to the little Lady on her hunt. 
Walt

[MJO]

You guys are awesome!!!  It was the stock bolt, too long, added a few small washers good to go...

Thank you!
MJO

BTW, I put the pistol grip back on it so now I am ok in this forum!!

[PA-Joe]

With the hammer bar safety you also have to make certain that she holds that trigger back all of the way until after the gun has fired. I have seen cases where the kids have let go of the trigger just before it hit the hammer bar ( result no bang).