The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

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

Help Needed with L.C. Smith Field Grade 20 Gauge FW

Posted by Edward Sybert on April 10, 2022, 12:55 pm

I just purchased an L.C. Smith Field Grade 20 Gauge FW from a listing on an Internet site. When I received the shotgun at my local FFL dealer, I brought it home and assembled it. The next day, I wanted to break it down to clean the bores and lubricate it. The first issue I noted was how difficult it was to pull out and remove the splinter forend. It is the style without any mechanical catch – only the “spring” tension holding it on. Looking at the forend iron, I saw two un-matched screw heads. I thought, one or both surely not the original. One was a flat head wood screw and the other was a countersunk screw, both slotted. When I removed the two screws, I could see that at some previous time one or both of the original screws had pulled out of the forend wood and some filler had been used to help secure the replacement screws. So, I have two requests for help: I’d like to find two original-style (don’t have to be actually factory original to L.C. Smith) screws of the correct size; and I’d like advice on how to reduce the amount of force needed to remove the forend. Thanking you in advance. Edward Sybert, esybert@centurylink.net

Re: Help Needed with L.C. Smith Field Grade 20 Gauge FW

Posted by David Gehman on April 11, 2022, 8:49 am, in reply to "Help Needed with L.C. Smith Field Grade 20 Gauge FW"

Can’t help with the screws.
Someone on one of the collectors sites had offered a nylon type tool similar to a dull letter opener. I think it was a auto body tool.
Simply slide under the tip of the fore end and us as a lever. Distributes the force to a larger area. Works great.

Re: Help Needed with L.C. Smith Field Grade 20 Gauge FW

Posted by David Gehman on April 11, 2022, 8:56 am, in reply to "Re: Help Needed with L.C. Smith Field Grade 20 Gauge FW"

Dean Romig on the Parker site had them for sale.

Re: Help Needed with L.C. Smith Field Grade 20 Gauge FW

Posted by Edward Sybert on April 11, 2022, 11:01 am, in reply to "Re: Help Needed with L.C. Smith Field Grade 20 Gauge FW"

Thanks, I have a set of those tools. I didn't think of trying them. But for a long term solution, I'll bet there is a way to adjust the fit of the latch spring. -Ed

Re: Help Needed with L.C. Smith Field Grade 20 Gauge FW

Posted by Scott Janowski on April 11, 2022, 12:48 pm, in reply to "Re: Help Needed with L.C. Smith Field Grade 20 Gauge FW"

Those always fit tight. You don’t want it loose.

Re: Help Needed with L.C. Smith Field Grade 20 Gauge FW

Posted by Edward Sybert on April 11, 2022, 5:17 pm, in reply to "Re: Help Needed with L.C. Smith Field Grade 20 Gauge FW"

Hi Scott: Agreed, but you shouldn't need a small crowbar or auto trim tool every time you break your shotgun down to transport or clean. -Ed

Re: Help Needed with L.C. Smith Field Grade 20 Gauge FW

Posted by Drew Hause on April 11, 2022, 6:06 pm, in reply to "Re: Help Needed with L.C. Smith Field Grade 20 Gauge FW"

If it takes that amount of force while levering the tip of the FE wood, the screws are going to eventually pull out again.
It is possible that the J spring was replaced at the time of the repairs and is just a bit too long. OR the J spring was straightened to tighten the FE.
Cautious removal of metal from the end of the J spring should work. Remove a little and retest. If still too tight remove slightly more.
Please let us know how things go.

Re: Help Needed with L.C. Smith Field Grade 20 Gauge FW

Posted by Edward Sybert on April 11, 2022, 7:41 pm, in reply to "Re: Help Needed with L.C. Smith Field Grade 20 Gauge FW"

Thanks, Drew. I'm working the tip of the J-spring down a little at a time. I can already feel an improvement. I'll be careful not to go too far. Regards, Ed

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