Trevormyrtlebeach
Inactive
Hello,
I've encountered a problem concerning the firing pin on a single shot H&R Topper Model 88 20ga, manufactured in 1979.
My question in short is: Is it bad practice to dry fire these H&R single shot shotguns?
My first indication of a problem was when shooting the gun, the action would not open after firing. Only after a little bit of up and down motion of the gun would the action break open. When dry firing the gun, the firing pin stays protruding out .150" from the breach face and requires me to carefully break the action open enough to gently dislodge the pin.
Upon disassembling the trigger group, I discovered the tip of the firing pin was bent. My suspicion for how the firing pin got bent in the first place is that when dry firing the gun, the firing pin got stuck at it's full travel limit, perhaps because it was dry. Unknowingly, I broke the action open quickly and the protruding firing pin struck the inside of the chamber as the gun opened causing the firing pin to bend.
I was unaware at the time of how far the firing pin actually travels forward without a primer to hit. If I cock the hammer and then ease the hammer all the way forward while pulling the trigger, the firing pin only sticks out about .035". I probably will have to order a new firing pin from Numrich.com as my best pass at straightening the firing pin did little to remedy the binding issue.
If anyone has experience with these firearms and would be willing to share a bit of insight, I would greatly appreciate it!
I've encountered a problem concerning the firing pin on a single shot H&R Topper Model 88 20ga, manufactured in 1979.
My question in short is: Is it bad practice to dry fire these H&R single shot shotguns?
My first indication of a problem was when shooting the gun, the action would not open after firing. Only after a little bit of up and down motion of the gun would the action break open. When dry firing the gun, the firing pin stays protruding out .150" from the breach face and requires me to carefully break the action open enough to gently dislodge the pin.
Upon disassembling the trigger group, I discovered the tip of the firing pin was bent. My suspicion for how the firing pin got bent in the first place is that when dry firing the gun, the firing pin got stuck at it's full travel limit, perhaps because it was dry. Unknowingly, I broke the action open quickly and the protruding firing pin struck the inside of the chamber as the gun opened causing the firing pin to bend.
I was unaware at the time of how far the firing pin actually travels forward without a primer to hit. If I cock the hammer and then ease the hammer all the way forward while pulling the trigger, the firing pin only sticks out about .035". I probably will have to order a new firing pin from Numrich.com as my best pass at straightening the firing pin did little to remedy the binding issue.
If anyone has experience with these firearms and would be willing to share a bit of insight, I would greatly appreciate it!