I just read Mongrel's article on trigger and lock abuses and it made me think. I have my first ever ML rifle and it is a used TC Hawken. I found that it would not reliably catch the half cock and started looking at the lock. After taking it all apart, cleaning, removing rust, lubing, it is smoother but still won't always catch the half cock position. The problem is that the fly doesn't always get kicked back out of the way when the hammer is cocked unless the rifle is held muzzle slightly up and tilted a bit to the left side. Since I am aware of the problem I never let go of the hammer in case it doesn't catch. Long story but is there a fix? I haven't found any source for TC Hawken parts to replace the tumbler and fly. I'm also not much interested in putting a $100+ lock in a $200 rifle. Any suggestions?
Here is a link to an eBay seller that has parts. This link is for a Lyman tumbler, but he says a 5 minute modification will allow it to work on TCs.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Muzzleloader-Lock-Tumbler-fits-Thompson-Center-or-Lyman-with-Screw-NOS-/281337923514
Here is another link, this one is for T/C tumbler.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Thompson-Center-Tumbler-Hawken-Renegade-New-Englander-White-Mtn-Carbine-others-/191238234957?pt=Vintage_Hunting&hash=item2c86afe34d
Keep looking. I have bought several complete locks on Ebay for just a tad more than that.
there's 2 or 3 complete locks on evil-bay for around 40 bucks.
Thank you Bubba thmbsup It is nice to have a second in such instances.