SxS shotgun very hard to break open

john777

john777

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I have an 1930's Belgian SxS hinged shotgun.

Acquired it from Ad Hominem (btw, RIP Mark). Haven't shot it until a year later.

After firing two rounds, I try to break open the action and it's sooooo hard to do it. I had to put shotgun barrel on ground to use it as leverage to break it open.

What is going on? Any ideas?

It breaks open very smooth with no shells or before shells get fired.

Thanks!
 
john777 said:
I have an 1930's Belgian SxS hinged shotgun.

Acquired it from Ad Hominem (btw, RIP Mark). Haven't shot it until a year later.

After firing two rounds, I try to break open the action and it's sooooo hard to do it. I had to put shotgun barrel on ground to use it as leverage to break it open.

What is going on? Any ideas?

It breaks open very smooth with no shells or before shells get fired.

Thanks!
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Souuds like one or both of your fireing pins may be sticking. Is there any downward marks on the base of the fired shells?
 
Win/64 said:
Souuds like one or both of your fireing pins may be sticking. Is there any downward marks on the base of the fired shells?
Click to expand...

Oh yeah, someone mentioned that a while back. I forgot the reason.

I have to fire the shotty again. I didn't look at the shells.

If that's the problem, I guess I won't be able to fix it on my own. Just curious, what needs to be done to remedy the problem?

Thanks
 
Usually a broken firing pin as mentioned before. Best to have a gunsmith look at it although most early belgian guns wouldn't be worth fixing unless you can do it yourself.
 
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tactical870 said:
Usually a broken firing pin as mentioned before. Best to have a gunsmith look at it although most early belgian guns wouldn't be worth fixing unless you can do it yourself.
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Oh, this Belgian, IMO is mint condition. I guess it can be best described as 80% blued, no rust or pitting anywhere and stock said to be original and nicely restored.

I guess I'll have to take it into blacksmith one day.
 
I assume it's a hammerless model, or replacing the firing pins/return springs wouldn't be seen as an issue.

I agree with those who suggest a trip to your local gunsmith is in order; not because the work is particularly specialized, but because it's critical that proper turnscrews be used. Especially in older guns, screws tend to be seized. Less than 1% of firearms owners possess the correct tool for the job. Butchered screws are the trademark of every amateur gunsmith and backyard tradesman.
 
What he said - the last post.

Three reasons I can think of besides a broken pin. One is that you have non-rebounding hammers which means they are resting on the pins when fired, thereby leaving the pins sticking in the primers.

Second possibility is too-long or mis-shaped pins.

Third is that the cocking mechanism is out of sync which means that the cocking arms are not actuating the cocking sequence until too long after you crack the action, usually goes hand-in-hand with number one.

Also, pls keep in mind that just because a shotgun is Belgian doesn't mean it's a lousy gun. There are plenty of really nice high grade Belgians out there as well as some really decent farme'sr or keeper's guns.

Get hold of a good gunsmith who knows doubles. Just 'cause you hang out a shingle with the word gunsmith on it doesn't necessarily mean that you are well trained, experienced, conscientious and detail oriented.

Good luck.
 
Thanks for the info folks!

Yes, it is a hammerless Belgian. Everything about this SxS appears to perfeclty fine except for this.

Now, if anyone here knows a good gunsmith that can do this in the GTA, please let me know who. Haha.. I said blacksmith in my last reply. :)
 
Make sure it is oiled properly. I had the exact same problem with my old Belgian SxS, and applying a few extra drops of oil to what I thought was a sufficiently oiled gun solved the problem.
 
Ar180shooter said:
Make sure it is oiled properly. I had the exact same problem with my old Belgian SxS, and applying a few extra drops of oil to what I thought was a sufficiently oiled gun solved the problem.
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I think it's oiled properly, but what do I know... I'll apply more next time I try it out.

One thing I haven't done is apply oil inside the firing pin hole. Is that a proper thing to do?

and thanks for the gunsmith recommendation win/64.
 
john777 said:
I think it's oiled properly, but what do I know... I'll apply more next time I try it out.

One thing I haven't done is apply oil inside the firing pin hole. Is that a proper thing to do?

and thanks for the gunsmith recommendation win/64.
Click to expand...

Before applying oil anywhere I would take the action out of the stock (if you have the proper tools) and soak it in Lamp Oil. This will loosen up any crud that is in the Gun. The firing pin chambers may be all gummed up.
 
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