Thank you one and all for your advice and well wishes. I spoke to Kirk Merrington (recommended by forum members...thanks for that in particular) today, what a nice English gentleman!
I have the action off the butt stock (the only tools required were my Swiss Army pocket knife combination bottle opener and screw driver blade and something to punch out a pin) and boxed up and ready to send to Kirk as soon as I can get to a UPS office. Taking the action off of the stock was a bit easier than taking a Fox action off the stock, but a very similar operation (both the MAC and Fox have trigger plates and require the removal of the trigger sear pin and sears before the wood can be removed). The action did seem very robust and very well engineered.
This way Kirk can have a look at what needs to be done to fix this gun. I'll drive the rest of the gun (stock, barrels and fore end) up next month on my way home to Illinois for a visit---in the meantime he can have a look and give me an estimate.
I do enjoy my double 20s, and have become very attached to my 12ga Fox, but if I am able to get it fixed I am starting to suspect this humble understated French 16ga is going to find a special place in my gun rack...like the prodigal son.
I would love to hear and see more from other French side by side owners. Once repaired, perhaps I will be fit to join not only the ranks of the 16ga owners, but the few French shotgun shooters.
Doug
Last edited by dbadcraig; 01/16/07 08:34 PM.
