Barrel fitting

[Virginia Hessler]

Hi
I'm fooling with an old DH fitting a set of VH barrels to it. I am new to shotguns and am trying to learn as much as I can.
I have been reading as much as I can on the subject. I keep reading the gun is tight or the gun is loose in different for sale adds. I think I have this sorted out but am looking for some clarification.
Loose means the lugs fitting loose in the receiver ?
Off face means the barrels are to far forward and there is a gap in the breach ?

Could someone confirm my thinking here ?

I was fortunate that my barrel lugs were to wide and did not fit into the receiver, I spent hours working them down to accomplish a nice tight smooth fit.

Last question, if they were loose in the receiver how can they be tightened up ?
I figured out how to tighten up the off face gap, but I haven't figured out what I would have done if the lugs were loose in the receiver .

Any info greatly appreciated Thanks, Tom

[Robin Lewis]

Check out the FAQ link off the parkerguns.org page, FAQ #41.

[Brian Dudley]

Off face is hinge pin hook wear.
Loose up and down is bolt/bolt bite wear.
Loose side to side is barrel lug wear (width).

Proper fit of The dolls head and barrels being on face will usually eliminate and side to side looseness when the gun is closed.
Most guns, especially well used ones will have some side to side movement when the breech is open. This bothers some people in that "ideally" it should have little to no movement, but realistically, it is not a big deal since what is important it if the gun is tight when closed.

[Virginia Hessler]

Thanks very much for the info.

Tom