The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

The L.C. Smith Collectors Association
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gun opening upon firing

Posted by mike nodi on November 24, 2018, 5:25 pm

I have a field grade 12 gauge that I had recently purchased and brought out to pheasant hunt. I'm using winchester 1 oz # 6 shot. When firing the right barrel the gun opens up as if I opened the top lever. Any idea on what's wrong and how to repair it?

Re: gun opening upon firing

Posted by Bill Schodlatz on November 24, 2018, 7:32 pm, in reply to "gun opening upon firing"

If you are lucky the spring has become weak. It is more likely that the locking surfaces are worn and will need welded and reformed. A job for top pro's.

bill

Re: gun opening upon firing

Posted by Tom Garver on November 25, 2018, 8:33 am, in reply to "gun opening upon firing"

Mike, 2 other items that you will want to check for wear are the trip pin and spring and the rotary locking bolt. You didn't say how old the gun is but it may be time for several new parts. If you are not familiar with taking an Elsie apart and putting it back together I would recommend a good gunsmith that knows these old guns. Thanks, Tom

Re: gun opening upon firing

Posted by mike nodi on November 25, 2018, 12:52 pm, in reply to "Re: gun opening upon firing"
Edited by board administrator November 25, 2018, 2:00 pm

This repair is not something I would attempt on my own. Can anyone recommend a gunsmith that can handle this repair in the upper midwest (chicago) area? I would prefer to drive somewhere than ship but will ship for a quality gunsmith.

Gunsmith near Chicago

Posted by Drew Hause on November 25, 2018, 1:59 pm, in reply to "Re: gun opening upon firing"
Edited by board administrator November 25, 2018, 5:50 pm

Mark Beasland may not be taking new work right now
Mosinee, WI
http://www.mbabllc.com

revdoc2@cox.net

Re: gun opening upon firing

Posted by Steve Moore on November 25, 2018, 2:09 pm, in reply to "gun opening upon firing"

You are not the only one with this problem. I have a 12 gauge that does the same thing.

Re: Gunsmith near Chicago

Posted by Randy Roberts on November 26, 2018, 11:42 am, in reply to "Gunsmith near Chicago"

I spoke to Mark at the Tulsa show and he told me that he was in fact not taking on any new work.

Re: gun opening upon firing

Posted by David Williamson on November 26, 2018, 12:27 pm, in reply to "gun opening upon firing"

Mike, it sounds as if your top lever spring is broken or lost it's tension.
Open the gun and the top lever should stay to the right. Look down between the breech and you will see a half-round peg, take a thein flat head screw driver and push down on the peg and the tope lever should snap closed. If it doesn't the top lever spring is bad.

Jerry Andrews would be the gunsmith to send it to. He is located in Moundsville, WV. 304-843-1740

Re: gun opening upon firing

Posted by mike nodi on November 26, 2018, 8:04 pm, in reply to "Re: gun opening upon firing"
Edited by board administrator November 26, 2018, 8:29 pm

David, I pushed down on that peg with a small flathead screwdriver and the top lever snapped right back. Is there anything else to try before I contact Jerry Andrews and send it off ?

Mike

Re: gun opening upon firing

Posted by Roger Domer on November 27, 2018, 2:41 pm, in reply to "Re: gun opening upon firing"

I had the same problem with an Ithaca sxs 4 e. Dennis Potter fixed it for me. His number is 262 662-9990. If that number doesn’t work, let me know. Good Luck. Roger

Re: gun opening upon firing

Posted by Zachary Hopkins on November 27, 2018, 10:29 pm, in reply to "Re: gun opening upon firing"

I have had several junkers as well as high grade Smiths with the same problem. Even if the spring isn't broke it can be weak and worn allowing it to open up. I have actually tried to hold the top lever closed with my thumb as I shot it and it about took my thumb off. That shows the strength of the spring and it's importance of having it repaired.

Re: gun opening upon firing

Posted by mike nodi on November 28, 2018, 12:59 pm, in reply to "Re: gun opening upon firing"
Edited by board administrator November 28, 2018, 1:42 pm

Thanks for the referral Roger, I called and left a message.

Mike

Re: gun opening upon firing

Posted by Roger Domer on November 28, 2018, 1:56 pm, in reply to "Re: gun opening upon firing"

Gents
I’m out of my technical comfort zone, but the springs can be the first place to look for a fix solution. But the problem can be much more complicated . My Ithaca sxs is dated circa 1924 and it has been used and, consequently, steel parts wear. My recollection is that the bolt needed a welding job. This is when one needs a gun expert. From my personal experience, these guys are few and there is a fairly long wait time until they can get to it.

Re: gun opening upon firing

Posted by Jerry Slover on December 1, 2018, 7:28 pm, in reply to "gun opening upon firing"

I have lost track of how many Ithaca and LC Smith rotary bolts and mating surface on barrels I reconfigured to fix this problem. For me I never had one where the top lever spring was the issue.

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