Closing an O/U or SxS

thegunnut

thegunnut

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Being the somewhat curious person that I am…..
When closing that O/U or SxS, do you just “snap it shut”, or do you hold the lever to the right, gently close the action, then release the lever?
Somehow… watching and hearing an action being snapped shut makes my hair stand up.
Which is the correct method for closing?
 
I close all my O/u and SBTs firmly with both hands. One on the forestock and one on the wrist. I don't hold the lever over but I don't flick it shut one-handed either. The locking dogs have a chamfer cut into them so they will slide open and then snap shut. No need to hold the lever over. I can't see any way to cause damage or excessive wear.
 
Yeah, gently is the way to go. You just want to be sure the gun locks up good and solid. And I do hold the lever when not pressed to reload- that doesn't happen much any more and you want that hand fitted metal to last.
 
I feel like you OP. I disable the gas system on my semi autos and after firing I GENTLY ride the bolt backwards and forwards.
 
A very good gunsmith once told me the proper way is to hold the lever in the open position, close the action then let the lever back but I've had guns pop open when fired using that method when they felt like they were locked securely so I just close them and let the lever snap back on its own. I don't slam the gun shut though. I just close it gently but firmly.
 
Just close the gun no trick moves, it’s how they are designed.

Doubt any manufacturers recommend holding the leaver over to close the gun.

Seen many many people slamming guns closed it’s seems some can’t help themselves.
 
thegunnut said:
Being the somewhat curious person that I am…..
When closing that O/U or SxS, do you just “snap it shut”, or do you hold the lever to the right, gently close the action, then release the lever?
Somehow… watching and hearing an action being snapped shut makes my hair stand up.
Which is the correct method for closing?
Click to expand...
Reminds me of my wife constantly slamming the house and truck/car doors shut....drives me insane and she just can’t break the habit.
 
On topic I got an Fabarm Italian SxS 12 gauge that is pretty tight that I t’s almost like you have to close it shut but give it a little snap at the end for it to lock up....never put much thought into closeing a hinged shotgun before but after this thread I’ll be more observant now...lol
 
make sure the firing pins are cocked back when you open it all the way - if you open it just so you can insert rounds you may not have the pins fully cocked - ask me how I know
 
Double shotguns are a "snap" action by design. They won't be harmed by the locking bolt snapping into place by it's spring pressure.
They are not designed to be slammed shut, however.

The comment about fully opening to ensure cocking is "right on" with some guns.
 
Whitetail Junkie;[URL="tel:18214774" said:
18214774[/URL]]On topic I got an Fabarm Italian SxS 12 gauge that is pretty tight that I t’s almost like you have to close it shut but give it a little snap at the end for it to lock up....never put much thought into closeing a hinged shotgun before but after this thread I’ll be more observant now...lol
Click to expand...

Are you lubricating the hinge pin and all the contact points? That will help with making it easier to close and prevent wear on metal to metal contact surfaces. A good grease like Red & Tacky works extremely well but you have to remember to clean it off after each use and re-grease before use. Grease holds dirt and dirt can cause galling. Personally I like using Lucas Oil Stabilizer. It's heavy and sticky, does not hold dirt and does not run out between openings. A little goes a long ways and my guns open and close smooth as silk with it.
 
Most (if not all) modern break action guns are designed to be closed firmly but gently while not holding the top lever over. The actions are design to fully lock by the spring force on the top lever and often will not fully engage if you let the lever over slowly with you thumb, especially if they are not well lubricated. That said, it makes me crimge anytime I see someone slamming their action shut!
 
Some guns by design can be very hard to close without a bit of a snap for some. My wife for instance has a BT-99 that she picked up last year with under a flat through it. Though I find it much easier to close than a new Citori it is much harder for her to close by simply trying to close it when the barrel comes to a stop just before the locking block/lever are about to snap into place. She had to snap it shut and sadly she would give it a snap that I could clearly hear when standing next to her on the line and with my ear plugs in. I have had to retighten the for-end of her gun every 100+ rounds due to her snapping the gun shut so hard but she just doesn't have the strength it takes to close it that last bit without excessive force and can't seem to grasp the idea of a shallow gentle snap to close the gun. Instead she gives it a hollywood western snap like some old cowboy being chased on the stagecoach. My dedicated doubles gun has not seen much use previous to my purchasing it, a Citori XT and it like most Citori's is extremely tight to close. My father in his late 70's could not close the action either without giving it the old Cooey snap as I call how how he closes his "partridge gun"...I recently started lubing my guns with Lucas Oil Stabilizer at the suggestion of a very knowledgeable shooter and gunsmith and and you'd swear they are not the same guns to feel the actions open and close. They close so smooth and easy with that stuff on it is hard to believe the difference. I lubricated my wifes BT-99 with it last two outings and she no longer has to snap her gun shut. I put it on the contact surfaces and work it in opening and closing the gun for her a half a dozen or so times and she is good to go. I haven't had to retighten a forend screw since! Slamming a break action gun shut is for the movies not for real life. You will shorten the guns life immeasurably doing so as you will not lubricating contact surfaces. That may not be a big issue where a fellow loads his gun and maybe opens and closes it a few times on a hunt to shoot a limit of grouse on logging roads but if you're shooting volume like you do in clays shooting you best lube that gun and stop slamming it like your Uncle does his old beat up cooey!
 
It's true that some guns have to be snapped shut with some force but once they're broken in they should only need to be closed firmly.
My first o/u gun was a Beretta Bl4 and when it was new it was so stiff that I could hardly open it without getting my knee involved under the hinge with one hand on the barrels and the other on the stock. Closing it definatly took some force! Once it was broken in after about 3 or 4 thousand rounds it was one of the slickest actions I've ever had but it still required a fair bit of force to close.
My High Tech took about 4 thousand rounds before it got to be silky smooth and barely takes more than a gently nudge to close now, definately the smoothest action I've ever had.
 
saskbooknut said:
Double shotguns are a "snap" action by design. They won't be harmed by the locking bolt snapping into place by it's spring pressure.
They are not designed to be slammed shut, however.

The comment about fully opening to ensure cocking is "right on" with some guns.
Click to expand...

Saskbook to the rescue once again. Correct, concise, complete.
 
All of my sidelocks can be closed with one finger on the for end, but that is because of their design.
many of my box locks close pretty easily as well.
One Franchi I remember that was built in the early 70's , needed lots of force to close, but it worked perfectly.
Cat
 
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