H&R 348 Gamester

[DeadeyeLefty]

Hey all,
I joined a while ago but this is the first time I've posted. I've gotten loads of good info here but now I have some pretty specific questions...

I picked one of these up and just shot it for the first time yesterday.
It's a 2+1 bolt action 12Ga that, as near as I can figure, was made between '49 and '53.

Does anyone know anything more about these ?
(Search came up dry)



The mag follower (not sure what it's called in a shotgun with an internal mag - "shell carrier" ?) doesn't seem to be lifting the shell up to the barrel level. It lifts the butt of the shell but the nose is still resting against the next one in the mag.

I fired a few shells out of it by loading one at a time until another problem popped up. When I slide the bolt forward, the 'nub' on the back end of it that (I presume) houses the spring comes back like it's supposed to but once I lock the bolt down, it pops back in. I'm guessing this is a broken spring or firing pin ?
Lastly, the extractor 'teeth' don't grip the lip on the shell tightly enough. I'm guessing a new bolt assembly is the way to go here...



This gun is in pretty fair shape otherwise, so I'm trying to decide whether or not it's worth getting it back to shooting status. I've found a US source for parts but nothing in Canada yet.

Any and all help appreciated !

 

[Fishy Wishy]

Did you ever find any answers to your questions? Have you found any schematics? Did you do anything with the gun? Was Numrich the US parts supplier you found?

I was just given one of these shotguns the other day, it is in "fair" shape, I am considering making a project of this shotgun. I have yet to shoot it or even cycle a round through it.

My "shell carrier" (??) has bronze brazing on it, so I guess it was repaired (bubba'd) some time in its past. I may replace this part. Seems as though It will only let me load the magazine tube when the bolt os open??? Not sure if this is correct operation?? But is suspect this is due to the "repair".

Needs a butt plate/recoil pad (probably just get a limbsaver gind to fit...to give it a finished look), gonna refinish the furniture, and I might try slow rust bluing (free gun good for experimenting ) . Also considering shortening the barrel and installing choke tubes, maybe become my turkey gun.

FW

 

[fat tony]

Sounds like a nice shotgun. Your pics are too small for anyone to make out any detail. I would say get some dummy rounds and cycle the gun until you get an idea of what is causing the defective operation. Narrowing down problems like this on your own is an important skill, as usually, we Canadians don't have easy access to any kind of gunsmith. Best of luck.