This came up in another thread and it was suggested that it probably merited it own thread.

I am looking at some used SXSs and found a Griffin & Howe/Arrieta on which the thumb screw is not parallel to the barrels. It looks as if it may have been over-tightened. here is a link to the pic. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B96tMn8CAPu-R1N1REQ2NHJseG8/view?pref=2&pli=1

I really don't know much about hand-detachable locks. Is this over-tightened? Is there an easy fix for that?

Here is a link to the other side:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B96tMn8CAPu-c2RRdnU5ZnNYZ28/view

I have look at various gunlistings for many years. It seems to be more common than not that most Spanish guns with thumb screws do not align properly. Also seems like British and Italian guns have thumb screws that always align.

I ordered an Arrieta model 871 back in the early '90s and requested no thumbscrew for this reason. Did not have that gun for very long, soft metal issues.

Back it off a smidgen, it's a non-issue.

I like mine oriented like this:


That's too bad Ol'Forester, I've got three Spanish sidelocks with hand-detachable locks and none have had the issues that you've cited. Good clean living will do that for you.

Congrats Wild Skies, beautiful gun you have. Mine was too, 16 ga, 27" barrels, wood upgrade. I shot it well also. I was so disappointed about that gun. But as the old saying goes, once bitten twice shy.

Not an uncommon occurrence .Hollands had a small stud on the lock plate to act as a stop . Its not a great fault , more a cosmetic thing .

I thought the detach was a non issue as well.

I had an Arietta with the same issue. A drop of blue loctite kept it in place.
terc

If you look closely, the Griffin & Howe / Arrieta in question it has the locking stud for the hand detachable lock pin lever. It's no big deal, the lock pin lever has either been pushed a little past the proper orientation where the lock stud engages or more likely the lock pin lever needs to rotate another 320 degrees or so. Usually some effort is necessary to push the lock pin lever over the locking stud when fully seated. I normally use a small block of wood for this to save my thumb.

Arrieta adds this to their higher grade guns as should be done all H&H style hand detachable lock systems since friction alone won't always keep the lock pin tight & properly oriented with wear & wood changes over the years.

I like hand detachable locks as they provide one or sometimes 3 less screws for Bubba to bugger up on the side plates.

Unscrew it and bang the threads with a hammer or heavy wrench to peen the threads. Or clamp 'em in a vise. You won't have that issue any longer.
nial