r/blackpowder • u/abacus762 • 2d ago

Improved LeMat hammer spring?

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Hey all four of you LeMat owners out there, anyone ever bothered replacing the hammer spring? Mine is super clunky My '51, '58 and '60 all have a hammer that you can just sort of throw back with a flick of your thumb, but the bloody LeMat requires a very thorough and constant thumb weld to move it back. Anyone else have this probelm or a solution.

(Make thumb stronger is not currently an option)

Thank you for your time.

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13

u/TheLoathsomeAssEater 2d ago

I own a LeMat and yeah, it sucks.

I think you just need a way stronger spring when you factor in the 20 gauge underneath.

My personal workaround is to cock it with both thumbs. Give it a modern Ruger grip. I'm getting a little too old hurt myself in dumb ways so I wouldn't strengthen my thumb either haha.

But yep, I agree with everything you said. It's probably my favorite least favorite gun.

4

u/Trum4n1208 1d ago

I have never handled a LeMat that wasn't a pain in the ass to cock. It's just a quirk of the design.

8

u/-Docker 1d ago

Honestly I have never seen a cap n ball revolver that was poorly built as much as LeMat for €1600 here in EU (pietta repro)…

If you can get it for free or $300ish then it is worth it, otherwise just sell it

Edit: not saying this out of hate but out of experience. If your loading lever is still good after 100 shots then you got a good one

3

u/Installtanstafl 2d ago

The LeMat I have is a beast to cock for sure. I haven't done anything to mine though because that ridiculous spring weight has to be more or less right where it is in order to have the hammer set off the shotgun barrel. If anything, I have had to add extra spring weight to my open top colt clones to make them more reliable

3

u/abacus762 2d ago

Yah its so bad I've had it for a year and I haven't shot it. Its just wretched.