doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Lc.Smith question...

Mike, Chris, the for-end loop is held on with a dovetail like fit meaning there is a piece above the loop between the top and bottom rib, and both are attched with a screw and then soldered to the bottom of the barrels. Now it is quite possible that it became loose due to a few things, but the orientation would be right up against the long bottom rib and on the short rib (loop stem) from the loop to the water table block as shown in your picture.
This measurement was done by jigs at the factory to keep them all the same for the other hard fit parts.
Since Mike's is a Regular frame, the distance from the end of the barrels to the center of the loop (lug)where the indentation is for catching the "J" spring is 6.545, and to the edge of the loop 5.857 (minus 11/16")

I do not have the dimension for an FW framed gun, but it must be the same as the for-end metal is the same length on the Regular Frame, FW frame. The aol is 5.311 and the other dimensions are the same also.
Also, any replaced "J" springs will usually have to be tweeked to fit properly. That is why some are straight and others have a curve to them.

Success! I got a chance to get at it again a little while ago,I measured everything up ,and it all matched very closely to what you guy's suggested...so then ,I picked apart the forend assembly once again the ejector arm's were all measured as fine ...then I had a closer look at the J hook,took it out and put a straight edge against it and there was a slight curve...I re-installed it and tried it all (without wood ) on the assembled gun,no play ...I tried it on the barrel's only and there was a very slight movement toward's the lug ,with a great deal of pressure mind you.

I straightend the hook ,polished the end and back and forth till I got a nice fit .

She's perfect now,the forend is the origional and in rough shape ,so that most likely explain's the small gap there,I'll make a new one as soon as time allow's .

I promise a photo of the old girl's first Ptarmigan shot over the dog this fall .

Thanks fella's

GREAT!!!
Thanks for the report
Mike