The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

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

Stiff Cocking

Posted by Bert Sorensen on April 7, 2023, 10:43 pm

I have a 16ga circa 1936 with double triggers. When I fire one barrel (either one, does not matter) the gun opens and cocks relatively easy. However, if I fire both barrels, it can be very difficult to open and reset the hammers.
This only happens when the gun is actually live fired. If both barrels are dry fired, it is still easy to open and reset the hammers. Any ideas what might cause this problem? Go easy on me, I am relatively new at the whole LC Smith side-by-side thing. Thanks

Re: Stiff Cocking

Posted by Jerry Andrews on April 8, 2023, 12:41 pm, in reply to "Stiff Cocking"

Ejectors or non ejector gun?

Re: Stiff Cocking

Posted by Charlie Brooks on April 8, 2023, 1:22 pm, in reply to "Stiff Cocking"

Bert,sounds like at least some of the problem may be in your ammo.Is this reloaded ammo? It it is,it might not be resized small enough or the loads could be too much pressure.I have run into factory ammo that has to high of pressure in 16ga.What type of ammo are you dealing with? Hope that we can be of help with a little more information.Charlie.

Re: Stiff Cocking

Posted by Bert Sorensen on April 9, 2023, 12:06 am, in reply to "Re: Stiff Cocking"

Extractor only. No ejector.

Re: Stiff Cocking

Posted by Bert Sorensen on April 9, 2023, 12:12 am, in reply to "Re: Stiff Cocking"

Charlie, this gun has 2-1/2" chambers, so I am loading my own shells. I have lots of reloading experience, and these are low-pressure loads. I am using new cheddite hulls and some once-fired herters ~ same problem with both of them. When I go to break the gun, it opens about 1/2 way without a problem, then it gets really stiff. Like said above, there is no resistance if I have fired only one barrel. I'm stumped.

Re: Stiff Cocking

Posted by Mike Yonker on April 9, 2023, 8:15 am, in reply to "Stiff Cocking"
Edited by board administrator April 9, 2023, 8:20 am

My two cents ,Clean the locks well and lube and flush the cocking rods with gun scrubber and lube. MY

Re: Stiff Cocking

Posted by Bert Sorensen on April 9, 2023, 11:35 am, in reply to "Re: Stiff Cocking"

MY, I have already done this, but perhaps I missed something and I am not above doing it again. I'm just confused as to why the problem only manifests itself after being live fired and not dry fired? Thanks for the input.

Re: Stiff Cocking

Posted by mike yonker on April 9, 2023, 12:24 pm, in reply to "Re: Stiff Cocking"

Hi Bert, One other thing did you pull the firing pins and clean an lube them? You stated as you open it get to 1/2 open and then gets harder to complete the cycle.If the firing pins are sticking as the extractor slides up the face of the receiver it pushes the pins back to ready position. if the are sticking or worn this would cause the second half of the cycle to be more difficult. Just a thought. MY

Re: Stiff Cocking

Posted by Charlie Brooks on April 9, 2023, 4:37 pm, in reply to "Re: Stiff Cocking"

Bert,I wrote a long thread on this but somehow lost it before it got to you.In short; I believe your problem is or could be in two areas.The cases themselves,and the way you size them.Please give me a call and I will explain more.410-756-2095 Charlie.

Re: Stiff Cocking

Posted by Bert Sorensen on April 10, 2023, 1:30 pm, in reply to "Re: Stiff Cocking"

Mike, Good thinking here. I did pull the pins and clean them, but may not have lubed them?? Will make sure when I clean and lube the locks and cocking rods. Thanks again.

Re: Stiff Cocking

Posted by David Williamson on April 11, 2023, 1:54 pm, in reply to "Stiff Cocking"

I would check the end of the fired hull and see if there are drag marks on the hull. That would cause the gun to open hard after firing.

One other thing see if your lifters are loose on the cocking rods.

Re: Stiff Cocking

Posted by Bert Sorensen on April 12, 2023, 9:44 am, in reply to "Re: Stiff Cocking"

David,
The hulls show no drag marks but the comment on the lifters is good advice which I will follow up on. Thanks for the input.

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