Author Topic: I grease the latch  (Read 740 times)

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Offline Sourdough

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I grease the latch
« on: April 20, 2010, 04:27:48 PM »
I was reading a post and it suddenly dawned on me.  I grease the latch, on all my H&Rs/Handis.  Have been doing it since the 70s.  Well, during the winter I use graphite.  Is there a problem with that?  I have had no ill effects.  I do use it sparingly, makes for smother opening.
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Offline dpe.ahoy

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Re: I grease the latch
« Reply #1 on: April 20, 2010, 06:07:35 PM »
With the shots you've been makin' I'd say it don't matter. ;)  As long as you have a good latch fit, must not make any difference.  It's worked fine for ya, I sure wouldn't change it.  DP
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Offline LaOtto222

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Re: I grease the latch
« Reply #2 on: April 21, 2010, 12:51:46 AM »
You are doing it all wrong ;D As along as you are getting good groups and can hit what you are shooting at, you are doing it right ;) Alaska can be hard on guns and a little grease/graphite will not hurt a thing. It has been recommended that the latch stays dry for consistent lock up, thus good shooting. There have been some debate on this subject in the past, with people on both sides. Sourdough - if it works for you, I would not change a thing.
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: I grease the latch
« Reply #3 on: April 21, 2010, 03:30:32 AM »
Lube on the latch CAN cause accuracy and pop open problems. In your case it doesn't, so carry on..

CW
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Offline Jimbo47

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Re: I grease the latch
« Reply #4 on: April 21, 2010, 04:04:42 AM »
Like the others have said,....as you were!

Continue doing what you are doing because if you don't grease the latch, you may end up scratching your head wondering why your rifle isn't shooting like it should.
My culled down Handi's are the 45-70, and then I have a few others to keep it company...357 Mag/Max. .45 LC/.454 Casull Carbine, .243 Ultra, and 20 gauge Tracker II.

Offline gcrank1

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Re: I grease the latch
« Reply #5 on: April 21, 2010, 05:44:04 AM »
FWIW, on a mechanism such as these latches I like to start out clean and dry, and smooth them up just a tad only if needed. While stoning I do the final with the strokes going in the direction the mechanism operates. Then I use it a while to burnish those parts to each other. (Lubricant is to prevent metal to metal contact so if you want something to wear in wait a bit before using it) When the 'burnish/break in period' is over I often use a light smear of Moly-grease if the parts are heavily loaded (say, by spring pressure, etc), but I have a shelf full of different lubricants to match to different parts or applications.
As said, dont argue with success! If your lockup contact is that good then lube away!
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