What's a possible cause for extremely stiff action?

[10 bore]

Xxx

[winplumber]

Originally Posted by David Livesay

I've only had the gun a few months and I believe it was always hard to break down the first time after dropping the hammers. So you think it's the cocking mechanism?

Do you have another Parker to compare the difference as when you cock the hammers when opening vs opening without dropping the hammers opening there is alot of difference when you have to cock both hammers, I also wondering if you have a screw to tight in the tang or trigger plate causing it to bind when cocking

[Tennessee Dave]

Originally Posted by Steve Huffman

Do you have another Parker to compare the difference as when you cock the hammers when opening vs opening without dropping the hammers opening there is alot of difference when you have to cock both hammers, I also wondering if you have a screw to tight in the tang or trigger plate causing it to bind when cocking

I do not have but 1 Parker unfortunately. I don't think I have any of the screws too tight as they all bottom out turned in the same direction.

[winplumber]

Originally Posted by David Livesay

I do not have but 1 Parker unfortunately. I don't think I have any of the screws too tight as they all bottom out turned in the same direction.

Not sure if you have a problem at all you may think so but it opens alot harder after you dropped the hammers because you are cocking the hammers . If you dont drop the hammers and open it its alot easier

[Dean Weber]

Dave,
Like Steve said, opening the gun (not breaking down) after having been fired (hammers dropped) requires the gun to cock the hammers thus giving more resistance.

However, you also described a curious thing when you said you have to push top lever to left to close the gun. I don’t understand that portion of your statement. Are you saying you are unable to close gun without manipulating the top lever?

[Tennessee Dave]

Originally Posted by Dean Weber

Dave,
Like Steve said, opening the gun (not breaking down) after having been fired (hammers dropped) requires the gun to cock the hammers thus giving more resistance.

However, you also described a curious thing when you said you have to push top lever to left to close the gun. I don’t understand that portion of your statement. Are you saying you are unable to close gun without manipulating the top lever?

Yes. When breaking down the gun, you push the lever to the right. Then you have to move the lever to the left about 1/2 inch before you attempt to close the barrels. The lever then returns to the correct position. If you close the barrels without moving the lever to the left a little bit the lever will remain to the right and the barrels will not lock shut.

[Dean Romig]

It’s most definitely the cocking mechanism but it might not be a problem. When you open it after dropping the hammers you need to remember the fact that you’re compressing both mainsprings… I think someone else with Parker experience should check it and see if it is simply the normal operation that we all experience each time we open ours the first time after dropping the hammers.






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[Bob Brown]

I hate to ask the obvious question, but you say you've only had it a couple of months and never fired it. The stock is now off for checkering? Was it sticking when the stock was on? If you tightened the screws until they bottomed out with the stock off it may well have closed the gap that would have been there if the wrist of the stock was on for the screws to tighten up on. Tightening it past that point may cause it to bind.

[Tennessee Dave]

Originally Posted by Bob Brown

I hate to ask the obvious question, but you say you've only had it a couple of months and never fired it. The stock is now off for checkering? Was it sticking when the stock was on? If you tightened the screws until they bottomed out with the stock off it may well have closed the gap that would have been there if the wrist of the stock was on for the screws to tighten up on. Tightening it past that point may cause it to bind.

The gun is back together after having the wood checkered. It was left disassembled and not put back together while the wood was off of it. It has been like this since I got the gun. I'm thinking there is not a problem with the cocking mechanism but probably a minor problem with the lever spring. (if there is one?)

[Bill Murphy]

It is not unheard of for the lever to stick in the right position until you give it a push. You will know whether the top lever spring is broken because it will not return even after you give it a push. This sticky lever needs to be corrected by lubrication or by a gunsmith. I have had Parkers that have sticky top levers but have not been successful in correcting the problem without sending them to a gunsmith. Lubrication without disassembly doesn't seem to help.