I bought a new to me sxs 20 gauge shotgun in February that was built in Spain and apparently it has a Triple bite Purdy action...I read in a book that it’s a stronger action and can take more Heavy loads(more abuse) than other sidelock shotguns...? Just curious if anyone on here has any extensive knowledge/experience with this Action in a shotgun?
Purdey Triple Bite Action...
- Thread starter Whitetail Junkie
- Start date
The "Treble Bite" is the two underbolts that lock into the lumps on the barrels, and a 3rd lug on the breechface that is engaged by a bolt in the action. The 3rd bite does add strength if it's properly fitted.
Try smoking the lumps and 3rd lug, or smear them with grease or lipstick, then work the action a couple of times to see if it gets wiped off. That will tell you if there's any contact.
Try smoking the lumps and 3rd lug, or smear them with grease or lipstick, then work the action a couple of times to see if it gets wiped off. That will tell you if there's any contact.
9.3 Mauser's answer is correct. Note the qualifier " if it's properly fitted". This applies to all third fasteners, including Greener's cross bolt, various extended top rib fasteners and others. It has been proven in more than a century of hard use that these third fasteners are not necessary on a well fitted gun, even Purdey hasn't used their third fastener for many years, finding it unnecessary on their products. In the 1860's, 70's, 80's and 1890's when metallurgy was more basic and some gun designs did not stand up to heavy use there was great preoccupation with the strength and security of these new-fangled break open guns and makers competed to offer the most robust actions. To this day these third fasteners are more of a selling point than a structural advantage and in all but the most carefully made guns ( usually meaning expensive) are not well enough fitted to offer any added strength.
Thanks for the reply’s...I’m going have to look at the gun more closely....after looking @ “treble bite” shotguns online I’m not even sure now what I got...lol...saw the exact same shotgun pictured in a book and the author said it had a purdey triple bite action...so I’m baseing my info off of that...
After closer inspection it does have the 3rd lug...it is just really small compared to pictures of other guns I could find on the internet...I tried your test and sure enough there is contact on the lumps and even the 3rd lug...thanks again for the insight I really had no clue as to what to look for or what they meant in regards to the triple bite...gun is an older Ugartechea model 116 and with that said I think I’ll still play it safe and not blow it apart with heavy load 3” magnum shot shells...the barrels and action are both marked 20-76....that I also just learned about too
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Thanks for your insight!
You're very welcome!
