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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 49
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 49 |
Guys, My dad went on a recent waterfowl hunt trip with his Steven's 311 he has had since new. He was shooting two and three quarter inch heavy steel waterfowl loads and it seemed to him his top lever was possibly coming open. since they do not have an under lug and just a wedge type top lever is this possible? He was wondering if it was being done subconsciously because he trap shoots so maybe he was doing it with his thumb and not realizing it. He's just use the gun for upland hunting until now that's a nice tight gun so just getting your guys thoughts if it's the loads that could be doing this? And I guess he should be laying off of the those from now on. Now you will get something better suited for the loads he's using
Thank you I appreciate it
Last edited by J. Sappington; 03/16/20 12:13 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,432 Likes: 316
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,432 Likes: 316 |
As said, the locking mechanism on the Stevens is a simple hook on the top lever that engages the top rib extension You did not mention the age of the gun, but the top lever spring could be getting tired. More likely, yes, "he should be laying off of those loads", in a gun with barrels that were not designed for steel.
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 476 Likes: 69
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 476 Likes: 69 |
He shouldn’t be using heavy steel loads in a gun not designed for it. A double gun coming open when firing is due to the angle of the locking engagements being too severe, and not being “locking tapers”. If angles are too severe the mechanical forces applied to the locking engagement upon firing will overcome the angle and mainspring. A weak mainspring could also be a part of the issue, although in my opinion stiffening the mainspring is a bandaid. Consequently of angles aren’t enough you have nothing/little accounting for wear.
A.M. Little Bespoke Gunmakers LLC. Mineola, TX Michael08TDK@yahoo.com 682-554-0044
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,704 Likes: 103
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,704 Likes: 103 |
I think it was no less than W.W. Greener who wrote that the upward force of a shotgun was so gentle he could hold one with no lock at all together with his index finger. I expect Gunmaker is correct that the problem is wear on the locking engagement...Geo
Should be simple matter to remove the toplever and take a look.
Last edited by Geo. Newbern; 03/16/20 01:57 PM. Reason: added final par.
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 49
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 49 |
It's probably from the 70s and it's probably hasn't been shot much at all over the years that's why I say it's in pretty good shape and tight he just started using these loads in it this last time other than that it's just had regular field loads. Maybe some shur shots #5's for grouse that's probably the biggest.that's why it surprised me with little wear I just imagine it's too heavy of a load for the gun do you guys think it did any permanent damage?
Last edited by J. Sappington; 03/16/20 03:19 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,704 Likes: 103
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,704 Likes: 103 |
If it is self opening now with the heavy loads I think it is most likely permanently damaged and needs fixing. Try regular shells in it and see...Geo
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 969 Likes: 38
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 969 Likes: 38 |
There are a couple of Yt videos showing doubles in slow motion during firing. There is obvious movement in the top lever in one case, a Citori, and in the hammers of a muzzle loader in another. The Citori top lever can be seen oscillating during recoil, and that oscillation most likely is due to more than just worn locking botl angles. I will post links when I find them.
Apparently inertia forces play a role in the movement of bits during recoil, both in the rearward phase as well as in the braking phase when the gun stops on the shooter's shoulder.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,743
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,743 |
First; it would seem to be that as the gun recoils upward there could be a tendency of the barrels to want to tip open due to their inertia. Different makers compensated for this by various means.
I seem to recall reading at some point in the past that when applying pressure to tapered engaging points that friction will keep them from moving up to about 7°. Beyond that 7°, one is counting on the spring pressure to keep the bolt in place. I do not know what angle Stevens cuts their bolt to, but Lefever states in their catalogs after they went to this type of bolt it is cut on a 15° angle. I have never had one of mine show any tendency to open.
Miller/TN I Didn't Say Everything I Said, Yogi Berra
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,190 Likes: 1163
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,190 Likes: 1163 |
There is obvious movement in the top lever in one case, a Citori I've seen numerous Browning O/Us that open themselves after the first shot. Not Superposeds, but later guns without any abuse or neglect. Must be something about the design. SRH
May God bless America and those who defend her.
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 8,158 Likes: 114
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 8,158 Likes: 114 |
The late Mike McIntosh in one of his books on doubles mentioned this problem with a few early production NID guns- something about the radius of the top bolt where it cams into the top rib extension, if memory serves.
25 years ago maybe, I owned and shot a 12 Super Fox HE-- no problem with 2&3/4" Federal Premium loads, but when I went to the same loads in 3"-- the top lever would move out of battery when the gun was fired-- Go figure.. RWTF
"The field is the touchstone of the man"..
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