doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Difficulty opening

I have a 20ga Ithaca Flues (mfg 1923) that is extremely diifcult to open after firing. Shooting only low pressure RST ammo, any ideas on what could be causing this?

Dave

Are the pins dragging on the primers? You'll see the marks on the fired shells.

That's usually what it is, a timing problem. The cocking slide is worn or bent and doesn't let the hammers retract quick enough.

Been an epidemic of that lately, do a search for "flues".

Rob

First I suggest you get a proper chamber brush and some good solvent and scrub the chambers very very good. I was about to spend money to have a similar issue solved until Mike Orlen gave me the same advice. Problem solved. If that isn't the problem it cost you nothing. I also used some scotchbrite pad on mine as well. It won't hurt the barrels and will help cleanup what the brush doesn't get.

I found that ammunition might be a big factor in hammer drag. Different primers may help. Also, I have a Fox that will drag with some kinds of ammunition and yet it just loves the paper hulls never meeting a paper hull it did not like (and why not that was what it was designed for). My theory on the paper hulls is that they may seal a bit better and don't slam back as hard against the breach face. Just a theory.

Doug

After doing a thorough cleaning as suggested, if it still drags, try the following.
Take the barrels off and put in a couple of new shells that you usually use. With the barrels held steady, take a good metal straight edge and place over the shells. With a strong light, look to see if the shells are not a tiny bit proud of the breech.
This has been a problem for more than one gun. It is usual for a man to close his loaded gun with a bit more force than he realizes after he loads it. We are usually more gentle , with these older ladies, when we close them empty.
It just may be that a proud rim drags when you open the fired gun for you will open it more gently.
A simple change of ammo or reload cases will solve the problem.
Best,
John

No marks on the primers, so I don't think that is the issue. I will try cleaning it up real well as advised and go from there. Less than eight weeks until heading to MI grouse hunting, want to be ready to go.....

Thanks for everyone's help,
Dave
dnj21

I am having the same problem with a 28 gauge Rizzini. It is fine for the first 100 rounds or so, then it starts to stick. Is that common? I will have to check the primers next time out and do a thorough cleaning.

If it really is "fine for the first 100 rounds or so", that immediately suggests chamber cleaning(to me) as suggested above. The chamber(s) getting dirty is the likely thing that would progress in that manner. Let us know if chamber cleaning helps. Be sure to use a chamber brush. A bore brush is too small and too soft to clean the chamber. If you can't find a chamber brush for your gauge, get a brush for one or two gauges larger.