Webley Tempest info required please

P8X

P8X

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Been asked to look at a pretty uncared for example of a Brummie Tempest, with the comment that it won't push a pellet out of the barrel.

Took about 3 seconds to identify the issue
There's a pretty significant burr on the barrel catch, undoubtedly caused by the user just snapping the barrel back into place after cocking, without operating the barrel catch
With the barrel pressed down against the breech seal and then the catch closed over the top, this shocking looking example is making a gnats off 3ftlb, in .22 with JSB RS 13.43, so no issues with the powerplant.

So my question.............
A new catch is available at Knibbs. Is it just a matter of drifting the pin out to remove and swap the catch for a new one?
Obviously I'd be careful to secure the sprung plunger before doing this

Ta Rob
 
Any photos Rob?
AFAIK the pin that holds the stirrup latch in situ can only be drifted out from one side - the resident Webley pistol guru @elitist will be able to advise here.
Spares are readily available from Chambers, Protek, B&K etc.

twchambers.co.uk

EC016 - Barrel catch - Webley

We ship worldwide - Airgun, Shotgun & Rifle spares, parts and accessories for for Air Arms, BSA, Crosman, Diana, Gamo, Relum, Webley, Weihrauch and more
twchambers.co.uk twchambers.co.uk
 
If I remember correctly the cross pin does drift out and wasn’t tapered. I recall it had a stamped in groove along it length that sort of flared it out to grip the hole.
That sounds so dodgy but it was the only way I could think to write it🤣🤣. I also thought there was screw and seal in the top of the breech that covers the transfer port, perhaps that seal has perished too…..dom
 
P8X said:
Been asked to look at a pretty uncared for example of a Brummie Tempest, with the comment that it won't push a pellet out of the barrel.

Took about 3 seconds to identify the issue
There's a pretty significant burr on the barrel catch, undoubtedly caused by the user just snapping the barrel back into place after cocking, without operating the barrel catch
With the barrel pressed down against the breech seal and then the catch closed over the top, this shocking looking example is making a gnats off 3ftlb, in .22 with JSB RS 13.43, so no issues with the powerplant.

So my question.............
A new catch is available at Knibbs. Is it just a matter of drifting the pin out to remove and swap the catch for a new one?
Obviously I'd be careful to secure the sprung plunger before doing this

Ta Rob
Click to expand...
I've had a few uncared for Tempests & Hurricanes pass through my hands in recent years and seeing things like that, make me mad as well!

Yes, to remove the barrel catch is, "....just a matter of drifting the pin out....." but on those two pistols, that solid pin, can be the most reluctant to budge. as it is splined on one end. Do ensure that you use a correct size pin punch (or one slightly smaller)

Not that long ago, I had this one that some previous owner had been rather creative with, in his attempts at removal! However, I was able to restore the damaged area to some degree.

Good luck with that pin removal!
 
Cinimod said:
If I remember correctly the cross pin does drift out and wasn’t tapered. I recall it had a stamped in groove along it length that sort of flared it out to grip the hole.
That sounds so dodgy but it was the only way I could think to write it🤣🤣. I also thought there was screw and seal in the top of the breech that covers the transfer port, perhaps that seal has perished too…..dom
Click to expand...
There is a little screw & washer on top of the breech that seals the access to the transfer port.
 
Cinimod said:
If I remember correctly the cross pin does drift out and wasn’t tapered. I recall it had a stamped in groove along it length that sort of flared it out to grip the hole.
That sounds so dodgy but it was the only way I could think to write it🤣🤣. I also thought there was screw and seal in the top of the breech that covers the transfer port, perhaps that seal has perished too…..dom
Click to expand...

If the pistol is battered, but making
3 fpe, the internals must be OK, as mine is a minter and only just doing over that.
3 - 3.5 fpe is about as good as it gets for the Hurricane & Tempest Wobbly pistol range, no harm in changing the breach seal though.
 
Cinimod said:
If I remember correctly the cross pin does drift out and wasn’t tapered. I recall it had a stamped in groove along it length that sort of flared it out to grip the hole.
That sounds so dodgy but it was the only way I could think to write it🤣🤣. I also thought there was screw and seal in the top of the breech that covers the transfer port, perhaps that seal has perished too…..dom
Click to expand...
Your description is spot on. The deliberate split along its length ( not on one end) is to bite into the relatively soft alloy of the pistol body. A cheap but effective way of securing a pin instead of a precise sized pin into a precise sized hole.
 
Cinimod said:
If I remember correctly the cross pin does drift out and wasn’t tapered. I recall it had a stamped in groove along it length that sort of flared it out to grip the hole.
That sounds so dodgy but it was the only way I could think to write it🤣🤣. I also thought there was screw and seal in the top of the breech that covers the transfer port, perhaps that seal has perished too…..dom
Click to expand...
2506sendero said:
If the pistol is battered, but making
3 fpe, the internals must be OK, as mine is a minter and only just doing over that.
3 - 3.5 fpe is about as good as it gets for the Hurricane & Tempest Wobbly pistol range, no harm in changing the breach seal though.
Click to expand...
You're right there.....3-3.5 ft.lbs. is usually as good as it gets for these and easily adequate for most shooting. However, I do have one Tempest, that after a good clean & re.lube, puts out between 3.75 to 4.00 ft.lbs. on a good day......but that's more the exception than the rule, with the ones I've worked on.
 
P8X said:
Burr removed and the catch now working as it should

Gone back to the owner with a recommendation on how to use it

Tested with 11.9g RWS Hobby and 3.2ftlb so healthy enough, considering how badly its been cared for
Click to expand...
Well done PBX!
 
P8X said:
Been tempted to try and find a .177 one over the years.
Never actually owned one, but as a 10 year old, I used to shoot my mate's.
After today, I have quite an appreciation for just how rugged they are
Click to expand...
Go ahead and source one, Rob! They're great pistols that I have a lot of affection for and still my overall favourite to shoot, although I have examples of most of the older, all-steel models. A Tempest was the first Webley I bought, so maybe that has some bearing on it!

I currently have two .177 ones (the latest......an unexpected TEMPtation that only arrived yesterday!) and a .22.......love all three!
05CC53A7-8AD5-4E6B-9F83-400C50FD6A7B_1_201_a.webp
 
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I never operate the barrel catch upon closing a TEmpest. Mustve had mine for 20 yrs. No issues.
So dont think thats the cause
You sure its a brum not turk? Turks can have issues with the barrelcatch. Mine had.
 
yana said:
I never operate the barrel catch upon closing a TEmpest. Mustve had mine for 20 yrs. No issues
Click to expand...

The barrel on mine actually sits on top of the stirrup catch by a fraction, so i have to operate the catch in order to close it.
I think that it could possibly be forced closed, but i think this may only cause.the issue that the pistol had in the OP - i dont think that they are meant to be closed without operating the catch.
 
2506sendero said:
The barrel on mine actually sits on top of the stirrup catch by a fraction, so i have to operate the catch in order to close it.
I think that it could possibly be forced closed, but i think this may only cause.the issue that the pistol had in the OP - i dont think that they are meant to be closed without operating the catch.
Click to expand...
I've always operated the stirrup catches when closing the barrels on my Tempests & Hurricanes, as a matter of course, although judging by several that I've seen, it's certainly not a universal practice. Many have had a small 'notch' created in the top, leading edge of the stirrup, caused over time by the underside of the barrel when it's been pushed down on top of it for closure.

I have noticed that on some pistols, the stirrup catch does not 'sit' perpendicular, but significantly 'canted' forward, away from the breech.
 
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elitist said:
I have noticed that on some pistols, the stirrup catch does not 'sit' perpendicular, but significantly 'canted' forward, away from the breech.
Click to expand...

Here is a photo of mine, which has.a tiny cant away from the breach, but nothing significant, maybe its a newness thing.
There are also the 3 witness marks on the frame & barrel that are unavoidable on a user.

20260515_144742.webp


20260515_144826.webp
 
I did post this photo. on another thread a couple of years ago, but it also has some relevance to this thread.....

On this Hurricane I bought, a previous owner was determinedly not taking any prisoners, in his attempts to remove what must have been a somewhat reluctant stirrup pivot pin!
330E1C42-3B63-4BDC-8812-77008FE61852_1_201_a.webp
 
the new catches at Knibbs are to say the least poorly made, if you buy one you will spend aq lot of time trying to make it look like something the finish said plainly sucks
the pin goes left to right and is a SOB to get out
what happens is it picks up the right side of the lever and start to bend it out and that put presser on the pin
order a new pin as well
i got one of the wide triggers nice piece and the finish on it just sucked as well i polished the side and let it go at that
looking at some of the picture the pins look like they have been pounded on

if the barrel wiggles left and right that pin needs to be replaced also
 
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