SAFETY RESETS HALFWAY

[Jerry Harlow]

New to me VHE 12 that I took after doves this morning would fire the right barrel, but when I pulled the left trigger the safety was back on. Did it every time. So I fired a shell with gun parallel to the ground, and it did not reset half way. Fired it up in the air and the safety reset half way preventing the left trigger from working.

The safety is stiff, it is not easy to push on or off so there is no apparent wear problem. Before I pull it apart has anyone else had a gun that did this and what did you do for it? Thanks.

[Brian Dudley]

Sounds like the gun should have a good full cleaning and inspection as a first step towards fixing the issue.

Try holding the top lever closed while shooting to eliminate the chance of it being the top lever bumping open and resetting the safety.

[Jerry Harlow]

Took gun apart and cleaned it, no apparent problems. Shot a half dozen shells and strangely firing upwards either assists the opening lever to bump the safety reset rod enough to partially reset the safety or the recoil does; just enough to keep one from pulling the rear trigger.

I had tried removing the rod, but it would not come out. Is a Parker different from a Fox? I thought the rod just pulled straight out, but it would not budge. It looks like a homemade rod in there. I think it is a combination of a homemade rod that is too long preventing the safety from going as far forward as it needs to lock the safety slide or/and a weak top lever V-spring. Although after firing the gun is still tight and I cannot detect that the lever moves to the right when firing.

Thoughts? Does the safety reset rod just pull out as a Fox does?

[Andrew Clark]

If you remove the front tang screw bushing, which you will notice 2 notches in the top of it, you can unscrew it with a very fine & wide tipped screw driver. Then the safety pin will fall right out.

[Jerry Harlow]

If you remove the front tang screw bushing, which you will notice 2 notches in the top of it, you can unscrew it with a very fine & wide tipped screw driver. Then the safety pin will fall right out.

Thanks. I already looked for the slots in the bushing when I had it apart but I could not find them. I think someone has been in there modifying things.

[Andrew Clark]

I have a gun like that. I used an easy-out that just fit snug and backed it out enough and it did not damage the bushing. If you don't have an easy out take the screw to the hardware store and find one that close and will thread into the bushing. That should work!

[Brian Dudley]

All the bushings are slotted for removal with a proper sized turnscrew. No need to chance damaging it using improper tools for the job. They are pretty delicate.

[edgarspencer]

All the bushings are slotted for removal with a proper sized turnscrew. No need to chance damaging it using improper tools for the job. They are pretty delicate.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/439523/wheeler-engineering-89-piece-professional-plus-gunsmithing-screwdriver-set

[Jerry Harlow]

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/439523/wheeler-engineering-89-piece-professional-plus-gunsmithing-screwdriver-set

Thanks Edgar, but I have the complete set of Brownell's bits plus the thin bits. I did not see slots in the top of the ferrule and I took a good look at it.

But even if I remove the safety reset rod the top lever should not be bumping the rod when fired. I've replaced the top lever v-spring in an early model Parker before (pre-coil spring) and it was not fun with lots of fitting on the ones I got from Dixie Gun Works, but I may have to do it. That is the only reason I can think of that the lever would bump the rod upon firing, a weak v-spring.

[Jerry Harlow]

Thanks to all for convincing me that there was a slot there. Someone refinished the stock and varnished over the slots; dug them out and with a thin bit took the rod out after the ferrule was removed. I like Fox's simplicity, just a rod and one can make them from a nail if missing. I thought they were the same but remembered wrong. Now if I can remember to reset the safety after shooting I'll be OK.

[John Davis]

I have an L. C. Smith Skeet Special that does that with most factory loads. Never does it with RST or my low pressure reloads. Something I need to get Brian Dudley to look at for me. John Davis

[Jerry Harlow]

I was shooting 3 Dram 1 1/8 factory Federal loads in the 2 frame VHE. So not really excessive kick. I plan to use it on a turkey this spring since both chokes are right at .040 so I can't have the second barrel unavailable, just in case.