Welding Up a Barrel Wedge

[Richard Flanders]

Interesting discussion this. I admit to not being any too observant as to how I close mine; that will change now. Perhaps I'll be a little gentler on closing them, especially when they are empty. I do try to always put a dab of chevron 'ultra grease' on the hook and wear plate when I clean them; it's like slightly thin wheel bearing grease, sticks v well and will not 'wash' off easily so protects the surface well. I've been shooting my vhe20 for 37yrs and the lever is still to the right so I must not be abusing them too badly. Seems that it's necessary with my Repros it's necessary to snap them shut at least a bit or the lever doesn't come over far enough. Perhaps they're too precisely made and tight. The Merkel I had could get held open by a few grains of powder under the ejectors. Way too precisely made.... I've taken to carrying a Qtip or two in my vest when I hunt; makes cleaning under the ejectors easy. As usual, I learn something every day from this forum....