The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

The L.C. Smith Collectors Association
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Field 16ga LC 1940's

Posted by Bob Haase on August 9, 2023, 8:33 am

I think i need new ejectors for this gun. My left barrel firing pin hits the primer but not hard enough to fire. I have replaced the pin and last time swapped rt pin with left and it still would not fire. I'm thinking the ejector may be the problem by letting the shell set to far in the chamber.

Any thoughts ?

Bob

Re: Field 16ga LC 1940's

Posted by Carl Erickson on August 9, 2023, 9:34 am, in reply to "Field 16ga LC 1940's"

Bob: You are not the first person who has had trouble with a 16 gage Hunter Arms gun. I think that they might have had a problem at the factory with the machine that chambered 16 gage barrels.
Try a different brand of ammo that has the primer closer to the face of the receiver. Not all cases are the same.

Re: Field 16ga LC 1940's

Posted by Bob Haase on August 11, 2023, 12:28 pm, in reply to "Re: Field 16ga LC 1940's"
Edited by board administrator August 11, 2023, 12:36 pm

Thanks for your suggestion, i'll give it a try.

Re: Field 16ga LC 1940's

Posted by John Liles on August 12, 2023, 6:25 am, in reply to "Field 16ga LC 1940's"

Hey there Bob,
My moneys on the hammer spring, especially since swapping firing pins made no difference. Switching ammo might make a difference, but who wants to be limited to a single ammo source. I had the same problem with my first Elsie, and all the right barrel would shoot was Winchester AA's (Expensive as heck, even back then!) I replaced the hammer spring, and it hasn't light struck a shell since.
If you're familiar with recooking the gun while disassembled, you can perform a quarter test. Remove the fore end and barrels. Stand the receiver on your bench with the breech face facing the ceiling. Place a quarter centered over each firing pin hole (heads side down). Pull the trigger. Each quarter should bang off the ceiling (if you've got 8 foot ceilings) or at least both quarters should fly not less than 36" to 48" high. If the trouble free side tosses the quarter noticeably higher that the problem side, then the spring is likely the problem. Ejectors will be ruled out since they aren't even in the equation for this test.
Be sure to re-cock the hammers prior to re-assembling the gun.
Hope this helps!

John's weak primer strike "quarter test"

Posted by Drew Hause on August 12, 2023, 9:22 am, in reply to "Re: Field 16ga LC 1940's"

Good stuff John and I added that to the FAQs.
The hammer spring may crack but not fully fracture also, as can the hammer.

Re: John's weak primer strike "quarter test"

Posted by Carl Erickson on August 12, 2023, 10:08 am, in reply to "John's weak primer strike "quarter test" "

John: I will try that on my 16 gage Hunter Special. It is sad to have a high condition gun sitting on the sidelines!.

Re: John's weak primer strike "quarter test"

Posted by Carl Erickson on August 12, 2023, 11:11 am, in reply to "Re: John's weak primer strike "quarter test" "

Thank you!!!!! My right spring needs replacement! A gun that has been sitting on the sidelines will be returned to use.
Thanks again.

Re: John's weak primer strike "quarter test"

Posted by John Liles on August 12, 2023, 3:43 pm, in reply to "Re: John's weak primer strike "quarter test" "

Hi Carl,
I've never had to work on a Box Lock gun, as I understand the Hunter Special to be, so there may be different things going on with your gun. The hammer springs are different than in a Side Lock gun, but will still be a good place to start.
Good luck!

No primer strike, left barrel

Posted by David Williamson on August 12, 2023, 3:43 pm, in reply to "John's weak primer strike "quarter test" "

I have a 1901 hammer gun, the left barrel will not fire shells with reload Winchester primers. It will fire Cheddite, Remington, and Federal. I lengthened the tip of the firing pin .030 and it still did not work, changed mainspring from left to right, no change, measured the depth of the extractor on both sides close but not enough to cause it.
I've just come to the conclusion as to not use Winchester primers.

Re: Field 16ga LC 1940's

Posted by Bob Haase on August 13, 2023, 1:30 pm, in reply to "Re: Field 16ga LC 1940's"
Edited by board administrator August 13, 2023, 2:12 pm

Thanks John, i just got back from shooting and was away for a couple days. I'll try the quarter trick tomorrow and let you know. The ejector on the left sometimes allow the shell to pass behind it and i have to pop the shell out with a rod, thats what put me on the ejector.

Re: Field 16ga LC 1940's

Posted by Bob Haase on August 14, 2023, 1:51 pm, in reply to "Re: Field 16ga LC 1940's"
Edited by board administrator August 14, 2023, 2:51 pm

John, Quarters hit the ceiling both barrels. I think somehow when i load a shell and close the gun the shell is sitting just a little to deep casing a light pin hit.

I'll take it to the Vintagers and see if someone there has any ideas.

Thanks and let me know if you come back to St. Michaels

Re: Field 16ga LC 1940's

Posted by David Williamson on August 14, 2023, 2:35 pm, in reply to "Re: Field 16ga LC 1940's"

Bob, you just answered your own question, you need another extractor/ejector if you have to use a rod to extract your shell.

Re: Field 16ga LC 1940's

Posted by Louis Rotelli on September 13, 2024, 7:07 am, in reply to "Re: Field 16ga LC 1940's"

Bob,
If you cant find a new ejector, I can make you one

Re: Field 16ga LC 1940's

Posted by Bob Haase on September 16, 2024, 9:47 am, in reply to "Re: Field 16ga LC 1940's"

thanks Lou, I'll let you know

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