The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

The L.C. Smith Collectors Association
[ The L.C. Smith Collectors Association ]

Disassembly problem

Posted by Stan Hillis on November 19, 2019, 6:17 pm

I need to take down my 16 ga. FWE, HOT gun to replace a weak top lever spring. All going well until the trigger plate. All screws out but it is fitted so tight in to the bottom of the action that I can't dislodge it. No rust or anything like that. Top lever spindle has already popped out of place to one side.

Any tips for getting it to dislodge and come out without hurting something?

Thanks, SRH

Re: Disassembly problem

Posted by David Williamson on November 19, 2019, 8:01 pm, in reply to "Disassembly problem"

Stan most are all that way. The best way is to take a drift punch that is 3/16" in diameter and put it in the hole under the top lever. Tap down on it and it will release. Anything smaller and it could go into the hole and ruin the threads for the top lever screw.
Just make sure the punch has enough length to now bottom out.

Re: Disassembly problem

Posted by Jerry Andrews on November 19, 2019, 9:29 pm, in reply to "Re: Disassembly problem"

Or put the top lever screw back in there and lightly tap it

Re: Disassembly problem

Posted by Stan Hillis on November 20, 2019, 6:10 am, in reply to "Re: Disassembly problem"

Not sure I'm understanding, David. Are you referring to using a 3/16" drift to remove the top lever? If so, should that be removed before the trigger plate? I was trying to remove the trigger plate before the top lever assembly.

I looked for a disassembly guide online, but so far have failed to find one.

Thanks for the reply! SRH

Re: Disassembly problem

Posted by Stan Hillis on November 20, 2019, 6:12 am, in reply to "Re: Disassembly problem"

I posted reply to David before reading the response from Jerry, too. Thank you, Jerry. From what you've added it does seem the toplever assembly should be removed before the trigger plate ......?

SRH

Re: Disassembly problem

Posted by David Williamson on November 20, 2019, 7:24 am, in reply to "Re: Disassembly problem"

No, put the drift punch in the hole where the screw was under the top lever and tap down on it. That should loosen the trigger plate assembly and let you access the top lever spring.
Taking the top lever off, you need to remove the screw in the coupler which most cases are peened over. Then you can slide the top lever out from the coupler. I would not take the top lever out because reinstalling the coupler can be tricky.

Re: Disassembly problem

Posted by Stan Hillis on November 20, 2019, 6:39 pm, in reply to "Re: Disassembly problem"

Thank you again, David. Will do that. Been many years since I took one down.

On a side note, I just found out that I am going to be able to get my old copy of Nick Makinson's excellent video tutorial, on taking down and re-assembling the L C Smith, copied from VHS to DVD. I'll once again be able to reference it. Hot dog!

SRH

Re: Disassembly problem

Posted by John Mistretta on November 24, 2019, 7:29 pm, in reply to "Re: Disassembly problem"

I’d love to see that DVD. Any chance on buying a copy?

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