troubleshooting

[Rick Riddell]

First time this has happened, but for some strange reason after the first shot the action locks or is really hard to open, the tang swings but its hard to break open, any clues or ideas as to what might be going on. I recently bought a box of #5 federal prairie storm that Ive been using, would it be shot thats causing it?

[Brian Dudley]

Likely pins sticking in the primers.

Does the gun want to open at all? Like, is it opening a little and then Stopping or not opening at all?

[Bruce Day]

The shot has nothing to do with it.

The Federal Prairie Storm 12 ga shot shells are 1 1/4 oz at 1300fps or about a 3 3/4 dre load. Federal brass bases are known to be soft and will expand to fit the barrel chamber. With that high level of chamber pressure the shell base is expanding and jamming.

[Rick Riddell]

Sorry I meant shot shell, so it is the shells. Thanks guys! Love this board!

[Chris Travinski]

I think Bruce is correct, try shooting a lighter load and see if it still does it. Keep us posted, I'm curious to know the cause.

[Steve Havener]

The most common reason for hard opening is soft primers and can occur with any load or gauge or make of double guns with firing pins affixed to the hammers . In my experience Cheddite and sometimes Winchester 209 primers are the usual culprits Remington and Federal primers are a bit harder and are usually not a problem.

[Brian Dudley]

If the gun is opening a little and then stopping, it is likely the brass. If it is not opening at all, it could be brass or primer. That is of it is an ammo issue. Loop at the primers on shot hulls that come out after you can get it open. If the primers have drag marks on them, it is the primers. Or maybe a flattened pin sticking in the primer.

[William Davis]

Paint the brass with a black marker. Scuff marks will indicate what's going on.

William

[Rick Riddell]

Thanks guys, I normally shoot RST 2 1/2 shells out of it, I had fogotten I had placed the Federals in my bag when I went out. I've shot Remington express without any issues, so its probably the shells. It's a #2 frame Trojan so I didnt think it would be an issue, so I was surprised when I had this issue and thought to ask. I know the gun isnt at the quality of any or most of these guns on this site, which by the way are absolutely amazing!, but its my first Parker and I definitely want to keep it for my son to use, for me it's the pinnacle of upland shooting, a Parker, a pointer and woodcock. So lesson learned and thank you to everyone who has helped!

[Brian Dudley]

I personally have had issues with RST shells and Parker ejector guns. With the brass expanding in the chambers making the shells not eject well and the gun hard to open. But this has always been with reloaded RST hulls that have been loaded a couple times.

[Bruce Day]

I shoot Federals a lot. The problem is that the shotshells you are using are developing chamber pressures at maximum SAAMI pressures, around 11,000 psi. Coupled with the softer brass in Federal shells, you are getting shell head expansion that is pressing against the fixed standing breach and binding upon opening. Those shells were developed for use in semi automatics for assured cycling and actions that lengthen the recoil pulse.

If you feel compelled to shoot such heavy loads to kill pheasant, try another brand, like Winchester or Remington, that has harder brass.

I use Federal 12ga Game Loads in 1 1/8 oz 3 dram ( 1200fps)for pheasant, and I do a lot of wild pheasant hunting. I'm sure everyone has their favorite shells and loads. I do not favor heavy recoil loads. Although your gun will take it, maybe think about whether you really need it?

My usual pheasant gun is a 16 ga in either fluid steel, Damascus or Bernard, and I like the Federal Game Load 1 oz 2 1/2 dram load ( 1165fps). Just hit them in the head and those shells will perform well at up to 60 yards for full choke.