Encore Firing Pin seizure

[Tracker]

Well loaded up for the range for one more day of shooting before I head out to UT for my Muzzy elk hunt.  Placed the target and went to load the gun and it would not close up.  Ended up determining that  the firing pin was stuck in the out position.  I had noticed this beofre but it always went in.  This time it was froze.  Went home and had to use a brass hammer and set to nock it free.  Koil oil to make it feel like it is somewhat free.  Anyone have had this problem.. Plan on calling TC in the morning.  Little late to send it in now I just hope it holds out on my hunt.

[southernutah]

tracker in lower west side of Utah (ST.George area)if you have any problem and if close can help you out. You might just have a dirty fireing pin . Easy to clean just cock hammer and remove the small allen head screw that hold the fireing pin block in then push the allen wrench thru hole pushing out the block. Should be the pin and small spring. Make sure there aren't any small burs around hole. clean good then lightly lube or no lube reassemble. Where you coming from.

[gunrac]

I just went thru this. southernutah is right on. Clean the bushing, and buff out the pin with some 00 steal wool and/or polish out. I would not add any lubes to attract any more blowback. I'd think a good clean up should get you by for your hunt.
My spring was brittle an weak. Bushing showed a slight out of round pin hole. Guess a fella ought to clean that more then once in a 9 year period.
After being in contact with T/C they wanted the complete frame. Told them that I already had the parts ready to go. They wanted the parts before sending new ones. I sent mine next day, an had my parts within 7 days.
Hind sight was I should have sent the frame in. After thinking about it, if one spring is corroded, they all probably needed replaced.

[scratcherky]

Stay away from remington 209 BP primers. They are extremely dirty. I have much less blowback using triple7 primers.

[tlyne]

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Stay away from remington 209 BP primers. They are extremely dirty. Yes, If you shoot 209 x 50 barrel. Change breech plug to 25 ACP system.

[Bullseye]

I mainly only used my Encore as a muzzleloader and this was the final straw that was the reason I got rid of it.  The blowback eventually froze my firing pin up and it was nasty.  I had used the lighter primers to try to get rid of the dreaded crud ring and the blowback was worse, but my wifes has froze up using different primers, it just takes longer.

To clean it, cock the hammer and use an allen wrench to remove the firing pin face and pin.  Pay attention so that you know how the spring goes, they are coned shaped.  Clean everything up and put it back together.

[scratcherky]

Tried the 25 ACP system and did not like it. Settled on triple XXX 209 primers as best compromise for me. Less crud ring than 25 ACP.

[southernutah]

all i can say is preventive maintanence, don't do it and you get caught some times. The Encore is so simple to maintain sometimes I even put of a good cleaning. what kind of time period are you guys talking on the not or never cleaned fireing pin.

[scratcherky]

I clean the firing pin and bushing after shooting about 30 rounds and have not had further problems when using triple xxx 209 primers. That being said, I have had the firing pin seize after firing only 2 rounds with Remington 209 primers.

[southernutah]

I practiced and hunted two years and never cleaned the fireing pin. I was using CCI primmers and 3 50 gr pellets. Guess I was just lucky it shot clean.

[Hopalong7]

     I've been shooting my Encore muzzle loader for 15 years and have yet to see any blowback.  Almost all of that time I've used either the 22Hornet or 25ACP system....zero problems, better groups(no fliers), easier handling....I can't imagine what's not to like.

[gunrac]

     I've been shooting my Encore muzzle loader for 15 years

Your one lucky fella. I never knew they were available that far back. 

[Keith L]

It hardly seems that long, but Encores have been in regular production for over 13 years, and were tested for a while before the production started.  I had to look it up because it seems like yesterday they came on the market.  Must be getting old...

[David D.]

It hardly seems that long, but Encores have been in regular production for over 13 years, and were tested for a while before the production started.  I had to look it up because it seems like yesterday they came on the market.  Must be getting old...

Yes Keith I guess they have, but it sure doesn't seem to be that long. 

[Hopalong7]

      Introduced in fall of '96.  Got mine in spring of '97....so my math is a little off....12 years .  I do consider myself quite lucky though! .

[lostintexas]

Is there a tutorial on removing the firing pin anywhere?

[gunrac]

Is there a tutorial on removing the firing pin anywhere?

No. Not on the T/C site. This is what T/C want's you to do.

If the inside of the frame assembly
and the internal components require cleaning, it is recommended that you
return the gun to Thompson/Center’s Repair Department, or to a qualified gunsmith. { I'd take this info with a grain of salt, it's really no big deal } More info here;

http://www.tcarms.com/assets/manuals/current/Encore_Rifle_Manual.pdf

Bullseye above explains how, [ above ] on removal. You can also do this without the barrel on by sticking a small screwdriver in the frame where the locking bolt snaps in. Just a light push against block will let you be able to set the trigger into firing position to remove bushing screw. When assembling leave it dry. No since in creating a gunk magnut