I have a vintage LeFever/Ithaca "Nitro Special" boxlock double 12 ga shotgun that has a broken firing pin. I can disassemble the receiver to the point of removing the hammers but hey are under significant spring pressure. Can anyone explain or reference a source of info as to how to remove the hammers and the firing pins?
How do I disassemble a boxlock receiver
- Thread starter Ol' Flinter
- Start date
gunrunner100
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- NW Ontario
Getting the hammers out and relieving spring tension is somewhat simple, push the pins holding the hammers in place. Getting them back in requires alcohol, virtue and seven pairs of hands! There is no easy fix that I am aware of.
I have used hardwood dowels to push the springs back into their detents on the hammer, no small feat considering the small space and tension of the spring.
I have used hardwood dowels to push the springs back into their detents on the hammer, no small feat considering the small space and tension of the spring.
Beaver Skin
CGN Regular
- Location
- Lower Mainland, BC
I've used fitted hardwood pieces and a clamp, the ones that have a pistol grip and are padded. Place the wood on the springs and the clamp on the flats of the action. SLOWLY apply pressure to ensure all is well - if it seems questionable, release the pressure and try again.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Thanks for the advice: the best was "DON"T!" However, the devil made me do it. Getting things apart was easy but I lost a lot of blood and skin off my knuckles before I perfected a jig made of hardwood and a 1/4" X 5" capscrew/bolt with the head reshaped as a hook so I could compress each mainpring under control. Man do those little pieces fly fast and far when the spring lets go by accident! "Yes we can".
David Henry
CGN Regular
- Location
- West of the big road
Nitro special
Your home made jig sounds like you are on the right path to control the compression when reinstalling the striker springs. In Brownells Gunsmith Kinks book 3 ( or is it book 2) there is a drawing of the tool you need to make to get the job done, I made one years ago and have used it successfully a few times since. I dont know how else I would have got the job done without it. Regards David.
Your home made jig sounds like you are on the right path to control the compression when reinstalling the striker springs. In Brownells Gunsmith Kinks book 3 ( or is it book 2) there is a drawing of the tool you need to make to get the job done, I made one years ago and have used it successfully a few times since. I dont know how else I would have got the job done without it. Regards David.
