Any Contender repair wizards here?

[dan in mi]

Seriously confused here.

One of my frames would not cock. Break open the gun, close it (soft, hard, anywhere in between) just barely touch the hammer "ping!" hammer will not cock and rides tight to the frame no hammer block. Feels just like it would after firing. It was intermittent. I played with the interlock spring and it seemed to be better. Called Bellm and got a spring kit. If memory serves he thought it was the interlock spring.

Months later (today) I replaced the interlock spring. The others were all longer than the new ones so I left them in place. Put the gun back together. Same issue, only almost 100% not working now, very rare to get it to cock.

Sat there and played with it to try and see what was, or wasn't, happening. Sometimes the safety fell, sometimes it didn't, fall or not didn't seem to matter. The sear just wouldn't lock. I could see it not move or cock. Played with it a bunch more checking closing speed, hammer cock speed, blah, blah, blah, watching as much as I can. In the rush of open, close, cock, sequence many, many, times quickly, with occasional correct function, I opened the gun with a cocked hammer and without pulling the trigger, or releasing the hammer. I had the "Oh, crap dummy!" moment and from that point on it has been 100% functional.

What's broke? What did I fix? What in heck is going on?

[dhagerty40x]

have you tried adjusting the sear engagement screw? it is a set screw on the trigger and it's location will depend on what frame it is. if this is adjusted too far, the sear will not hold. normally back off this about 3/4 of a turn will fix it.

Also, if the striker spring broke, it will not hold.

[dan in mi]

I haven't messed with any settings as this frame has been great for 30 years or more.

It is working now, but I don't like "magic fixes" with no explanation. I've grabbed it a few times as I passed the safe and tried it some more. So far so good.