doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DIY Gunsmithing @ doublegunshop.com 1917 LC Smith 20 gauge

I am working on a 20 gauge Elsie that I think was born in 1917. The firing pins are the ones with the cylindrical "barrel" towards the end the hammer strikes. Do they just drop in to the holes in the receiver?
Are there supposed to be springs with them? The gun came to me in pieces and has been a fun project, however I am not by any means a master gunsmith.
So any help would be appreciated.

Swampman

Swampman, I wish I could help you with your Elsie question but I can't. However I do have a question for you. I have a 1917 Meriden 20ga that I'm trying to resurrect. It isn't on par with your gun but as best I've able to figure, it is supposed to have firing pins that just sit in the holes without springs and are held in by the hammer and possibly the stock. My problem is that I don't have the pins but I've been told that this arrangement was used on some Elsies. Wondering if you could post a pic of your FPs? Picks of the gun would be interesting as well.

Another thought, have you checked out the LC Smith forum? Not that this isn't a great forum and you'll probably get your answer here.
Thanks
Kirk

and here

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Manufacturer...arrel-41121.htm

http://shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=292703

My Smith is later, mid to late 40's. In it the pins do drop in and are held in place by the edge of the locks.

Kirk and Skeettx,

I checked the schematic at Numrich first and it does not show the firing pins or any assorted direct firing pin parts, like springs. Kirk I will post a photo of the firing pin tonight.
It has warmed up significantly since this morning it is 12 on the farm and 14 in Whitewater. Thanks.
Swampman

Gunparts/Numrich does have the correct pins in stock

The pins drop in from behind the breech face, with the locks removed. A way simpler design than the pre-1913 bushed firing pins. There are no 're-bounding firing pin' springs in any Smith, whether pre-1913 or the later 1914-1945 production series. If your gun is an extractor gun, make sure the clearance cuts in the extractor lugger bar, one for each barrel, are smooth and deep enough to allow the firing pin tips to clear when you close the gun to cock it. I have firing pins for your gun in my inventory, are your pins broken at the tip? RWTF

Thanks Swampman. Would you be able to make a rough drawing of what the FP recess looks like? Here's what the Meriden one looks like. I'm curious if the LC is in any way similar.



skeettx, thanks for the link but I've been there many times. The schematic and parts are for a 12ga. The 20ga receiver is much smaller and not set up for the same retaining system as in a 12. I suppose it might be a possibility that the 2 piece pin would work but I've been told that a 1 piece pin was what was used. Problem is that no one I know of has a 20ga Meriden or maybe even seen one.

Kirk

Run With The Fox
What is your contact info for parts?
I tried to PM but no luck.

Swampman

e-mail me at: dsmorin@hotmail.com. Strange that you mention this, as on the German gun sector of this great BBS Dave provides for us to use and enjoy, a Czech gentleman ( who, like me, also speaks German, has tried to e-mail me, through the DoubleGunShop PMS link. As he lives in Europe, I thought that was the problem.

I went to my profile here, and that way that I read my "preferences" I thought I had listed that e-mail address and checked the appropriate box to allow anyone on this Forum to contact me directly. The ds stands for Deborah and Susan, it is their website address, but as the computer is in our house, I get to use it for gun related e-mails. Or, you can call me- EST time zone- 616-754-7656 and ask for Francis Morin- leave message on the answering machine if I am out, and I'll return your call promptly.

I have found, in dealing in shotgun parts (mainly Model 12's and "Elsies" that if you have a broken part, and you have all the pieces of that part, whether a leaf spring, a safety slide or a firing pin, it is best to send it to me first, so that hopefully I can measure and match it from my inventory. I try to stay under the pricing as listed by Numrich- and I offer a full return for refund on gun parts, except barrels-

Hope this helps you out. Your 20 Smith is a fine gun, and well worth repairing and getting back out in the shooting game with. RWTF