wileybelch
New member
I would like some guidelines for what is deemed excessive/undesireable looseness in the barrel/receiver union of a side by side shotgun. Is it gauge dependent? Can it be corrected?
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Acceptable 'looseness' in a side by side?
- Thread starter wileybelch
- Start date
jaguarxk120
New member
The looseness is refered to as being off face. The fit of barrels to the reciver/standing breach is tight and no movement should be there.
A gun that is off face will shoot loose rapidily as the barrels and receiver take a sever beating when shooting and the condition will become worse as the gun is shot more.
The hook on the barrels can be welded or the hinge pin can be replaced with a larger diameter one. depends on the gun. Many times older guns are not worth fixing as the cost of repairs will exceed the value of the gun.
It's the owners call as to what to do. See a GOOD gunsmith and he can recomend a course of action.
A gun that is off face will shoot loose rapidily as the barrels and receiver take a sever beating when shooting and the condition will become worse as the gun is shot more.
The hook on the barrels can be welded or the hinge pin can be replaced with a larger diameter one. depends on the gun. Many times older guns are not worth fixing as the cost of repairs will exceed the value of the gun.
It's the owners call as to what to do. See a GOOD gunsmith and he can recomend a course of action.
oneounceload
Moderator
NO looseness at all- as mentioned, it is "off face", typically indicating a lot of wear to the hinge pin. If that is the case, it is usually the most expensive fix outside of relaying the barrels. Depending on what gun, it may or may not be worth the cost
BTW - The proper way to perform a field check is:
1) Remove the forend, since (installed) it will take up any slack.
2) Hold the gun upside-down, with the buttstock securely under one arm and that hand tightly holding the action/receiver only.
3) With the opening lever held in the "open" position, attempt to move the bbls side-to-side with the off hand - anything more than a minimal movement is unacceptable.
Then, it's advisable to check the ribs for soundness/looseness and/or internal rust via "ringing" the barrels:
1) Remove the bbls from the gun, and hang them by the hinge/hook from the fingers of one fist.
2) Strike the barrels sharply, about halfway down their length, with the knuckle of the other hand.
3) A resulting "thunk" = "pass" ( a very expensive fix), and a nice ring / chime = "OK"
.
1) Remove the forend, since (installed) it will take up any slack.
2) Hold the gun upside-down, with the buttstock securely under one arm and that hand tightly holding the action/receiver only.
3) With the opening lever held in the "open" position, attempt to move the bbls side-to-side with the off hand - anything more than a minimal movement is unacceptable.
Then, it's advisable to check the ribs for soundness/looseness and/or internal rust via "ringing" the barrels:
1) Remove the bbls from the gun, and hang them by the hinge/hook from the fingers of one fist.
2) Strike the barrels sharply, about halfway down their length, with the knuckle of the other hand.
3) A resulting "thunk" = "pass" ( a very expensive fix), and a nice ring / chime = "OK"
.