Broken triggerguard

CoryTheCowboy

CoryTheCowboy

CGN Regular
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A decrepit duck blind in Atikokan, ON
Hey everyone,

I bought a Stevens 311 and the front of the trigger guard is broken, like so.

Assortedsportingguns045.jpg


Assortedsportingguns044.jpg


After talking to the two places in town that I hoped could fix it (they couldn't), they told me to try using some J.B. Weld. I've never used the stuff before and was just wondering if anyone out there had any suggestions? The hardware store also suggested some metal-to-metal puddy. I figure the trigger guard isn't normally a high "wear" place, but I don't want to be repairing it after everytime I'm out. Thanks,

Cory
 
Looks to be aluminum or some kinda potmetal so welding is probably not an option

I'm surprised a gunsmith would say that he can't fix it but suggests you could fix it yourself. That doesn't make a lot of sense, and should tell you something about the 'smith's confidence in JB Weld for this application.

The guard is sprung. If you can adjust it so it sits in the correct position it may be possible to drill and install a pin or screw, depending on how much meat there is to work with. I don't think JB weld alone will get a good enough grip on it to hold reliably.

Might be a better idea to see if you can locate a replacement trigger guard. I don't know if that's possible but you could try Western Gun Parts in Edmonton.

Edited to add: I needed to call Western Gun Parts about something else so I asked about your trigger guard as well - they have 2 used guards in stock that will fit a Stevens 311A shotgun. The salesperson said there were a few different styles of guard made for the 311A but they will all fit. Price they quoted was $30 plus tax, shipping.
 
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If you want to be thrifty for the repair then it is possible. But it'll require a little bit of drilling and threading. The bit that is stuck in the receiver is a butterfly wing shaped lug that locks the guard in place. A 10-32 or 8-32 size binder head machine screw can sub in for the lug if you drill and thread the forward end of the guard and then screw in the machine screw to the point it needs to be to fit. Then file down the screw so it passes through the hole. Thread the screw through the guard and set it so that it is at 90 degrees to the passage. The idea for these guards is to drop the lug through at 90 degrees to the frame and then swing it into place for the securing screw in the back. The butterfly wings lock the front in place. So the idea is to use the screw to replace the busted off lug. Once it's through the hole an lined up and has the best spacing to retain without much slop you can secure it in place with a single drop of the very thin CA glue (Crazy Glue). This CA glue can be had from any number of hobby shops or from Lee Valley. The thin watery stuff will lock up a thread like it's welded. Just totally degrease it first with good solvents. Then cut off the screw sticking up and using files or a Dremel blend the cut part into the guard.

Replacing the guard is also a nice idea. But I thought you may like an option if you have more time than money and are a little handy with stuff like this.
 
How about silver solder? Its very strong and the heat is not that high.
I think I would try the part that is in the rifle first to make sure it can handle the heat first.
The next thing I would try is make a mould and cast the part out of an old spoon.
Both may take a few times to make it work and some skill but it might help.
The other option is I know a very good gunsmith he is on line and is a very good person
Hillbilly gun smith in Nanton Alberta you could try and contact him
just a thought
Ceers
 
I would remove the stump, and reattach it to the guard with a screw, adding JB weld for insurance.
 
RCEME1 said:
How about silver solder? Its very strong and the heat is not that high.
I think I would try the part that is in the rifle first to make sure it can handle the heat first.
The next thing I would try is make a mould and cast the part out of an old spoon.
Both may take a few times to make it work and some skill but it might help.
The other option is I know a very good gunsmith he is on line and is a very good person
Hillbilly gun smith in Nanton Alberta you could try and contact him
just a thought
Ceers
Click to expand...

Last time I checked, you cannot silver solder aluminum......
 
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