Hard to open gun

[George Lang]

I have a 10 ga DH on a #2 frame and have found a set of 12 ga #2 frame Vulcan barrels with matching forend. The 12 ga barrels fit the frame correctly and are tight with the dolls head slightly above the frame. My problem is this--When the 12 ga forend is used the gun is extremely hard to open initially. But when the DH forend is used it functions flawlessly. What needs to be done to the 12 ga forend to correct this condition??? I know just use the DH forend but I would like to keep the set intact. Thanks. George

[J. A. EARLY]

Final fitting by a professional removing material in the proper places, maybe not the forend, and even fitting the doll's head extension to the frame. Not for amateurs.

[Kensal Rise]

Originally Posted by Jerry Harlow

Final fitting by a professional... Not for amateurs.

Extremely good advice.

[George Lang]

Yes it is, but the problem is not with barrel fit. Barrels fit & function fine with either forend but are hard to open when using 12 ga bbl. and its numbered forend, but opens easy when the Dh's forend is used with the 12 ga bbl's. So I am assuming the 12 ga forend fit must be the problem??

[B. Dudley]

Does the 12g forend install more firmly than the DH 10g forend? And how is the feel of the barrels on the hook when the gun is open with each forend installed?

[Kensal Rise]

Discovery of the problem at hand is only one step. The other is to make the forearm/barrel unit work properly on this gun.

Analysis of both requires the gun to be in hand. Or more specifically, the hands of a good gunsmith. Any web forum solution is only guesswork. So thus emboldened, I shall make a guess:

For what it is worth, the issue sounds like a forend iron/loop interface issue related to the 12-bore forearm. Correction of this is not difficult, but is not a job for the novice. Of course no one can ascertain anything without the gun.

[George Lang]

Brian, forends go on & off and fit the same. When the action is open the with the 12ga forend it is nice and tight with no movement. With the DH forend on there is a slight 'wiggle" ( left to right) when the action is open. The 12 ga foend does not fit on the 10 ga bbl's.

[B. Dudley]

Sounds like your fit on the hinge is better with the 12g forend than the 10g forend, but it is pulling everything together so snug that it is creating some resistance elsewhere. Likely on the back side of the locking lug.

I will use Parker Reproductions as an example. Interchangability of barrel sets from gun to gun is very good. But sometimes a set of barrels fitted to a frame can be very firm to open and close. And it usually ends up being the back of the lug rubbing on the bridge in the frame too much.

[George Lang]

Problem solved and corrected. Thank you Brian & John. Covered all mating surfaces with prussian blue and found no interferences so I gave forend lug a few swipes with a file and action eased up. A few more swipes and all was good. 12 ga bbl's have a .005 gap to the breech face but locks up tight and fires fine with no signs of any problems. I can't see any reason to proceed further at this point unless I'm missing something?? Thanks again this site is just chock full of people offering great info. George

[Tom]

George
I hate to be a fly in the ointment , but .005 at the breach face not so good in my opinion.
.005 clearance at the rear of the water table is better. Maybe you or I have the terminology wrong but just check it out and make sure it really is locking up properly.
Tom