Gunsmith that can service a Browning Model 71

[gnmontey]

Can anyone recommend a smith with model 71 experience? In AB preferred.

The rifle functioned flawlessly until a basement flood demanded a re-blue. There after the gun randomly failed to fire. The gun was sent back to the smith that re-blued it and it came back in the same condition. There after the gun sat with another smith for a year waiting on a part (don't know what part). At this point in time it just sits in the safe unused due to it's reliability issues.

Soo.... can anyone recommend a smith who knows how to sort these guns out?

Seems rather suspicious that a re-blue would snowball into a part replacement?

Thanks,

M

 

[FLHTCUI]

Your right , the re-blue should not have had anything to do with the current issue, but I hazard a guess it was reassembled incorectly.
Have you researched you tube for any help?
Just spitballing and have no real experience with the issue you are having.
Hope it gets worked out for you and have you contacted guntek in/near Victoria BC?
Send him an email over a pm if you decide to contact him.
Rob

 

[gnmontey]

but I hazard a guess it was reassembled incorrectly.

Ya, that or gunked up with stuff from the re-bluing process. So nice of Browning to abandon the product. They won't touch it, nor do they supply parts anymore. The gun isn't all that old.

Haven't contacted anyone yet, looking for suggestions.

M

 

[reb]

Hey There
Where in Alberta.
I have did lots on 1886, 92, 94's etc. Winchesters if you are in the G.P area could take a look at it.
Reb

 

[gnmontey]

Where in Alberta.

Thanks for the offer Reb. The gun is in the Stettler area and no plans of going to GP anytime soon.

M

 

[Lee Enfield]

What does "fails to fire" mean?

Does the hammer not fall when you pull the trigger? Stop at half ####? Fall all the way but not set off primers reliably?

 

[9.3mauser]

Do you feel confident in taking the rifle apart and stripping the bolt yourself? If the exterior required rebluing, you may have rust or something else built up on the firing pin or in the bolt.

 

[AP]

Sometimes the obvious are the last issues to evaluate/correct. Previous 2 posters asked an important question. For example are the cartridges that 'fail to fire' exhibiting signs of being 'struck' (ie are the primers indented?) if they are could be faulty/old ammo or ammo with rims that are close to minimum...maybe worth a careful and methodical analysis of the symptoms..

 

[gnmontey]

What does "fails to fire" mean?

Does the hammer not fall when you pull the trigger? Stop at half ####? Fall all the way but not set off primers reliably?

Hammer falls all the way but is not setting off primers reliably. The primers have a reasonably healthy indent for the most part and the rounds fire on a second or third attempt. Happens with both factory ammo and reloads. Wasn't happening before the re-blue?

M

 

[Randy B]

Brownings have an inertia firing pin. (Spring loaded) perhaps a good place to look . Sometimes parts are blued without completely tearing it down and issues will occur.

 

[gnmontey]

Brownings have an inertia firing pin. (Spring loaded) perhaps a good place to look.

This I believe is probably the root of the problem. Lots of internet complaints about this arrangement.

M

 

[dan belisle]

Tear it down, inspect the spring and firing pin. Clean or replace as required. Polishing the pin wouldn't hurt either. - dan

 

[buckbrush]

Rod Hendrickson in Edmonton is a Browning trained warranty Gunsmith.

 

[gnmontey]

Do you feel confident in taking the rifle apart and stripping the bolt yourself?

No. Hence why I'm seeking a qualified/experienced smith to sort it out.

Gun has sat idle for 3 years now due to this fiasco

M