GH difficult to open after several shots

[Randy Zimmer]

I have a Damascus GH that is difficult to open when it gets hot after firing several low pressure black powder loads. Apparently the wear is such that the top lever does not smoothly open, it has a kind of hitch that must be overcome to completely open. What is the part that must be repaired and who would be a good gunsmith to send it to. Also, I would like to have the barrels refinished.
Thank you

[Dean H Hanson]

I would start with a tear down and complete cleaning, which is not very difficult. Any internal part which is faulty will be revealed at that time. Might just need a good cleaning. Barrels can be sent separate from the rest of the gun. Assuming they are Damascus, I highly recommend Breck Gorman for barrel refinishing.

[edgarspencer]

Between the top lever and the bolt, there are two additional parts, not counting the V spring. Lots of opportunity for wear in this overly complicated system.
On the main page, under Technical information, look at the parts diagram. Part numbers 12, 14,15 & 16

[Brian Dudley]

You are shooting black powder? Why? Most anything that you are shooting black out of enough will get gummed up and need to be cleaned.

[Garry L Gordon]

Randy, how was your bird season?

[Randy Zimmer]

To Brian, I shoot black powder because it is fun and it is traditional. I enjoy dipping and rolling the shells like they did in the 1800s. I have hunted with it, also. I have had the shotgun apart and it is not dirty, that is not the problem. The gentleman that I bought it from told me that Oscar Gaddy worked on the lug and put it on face, but apparently left that little hitch in the movement of the top lever.
To Garry, this year‘s bird hunting was pretty good, we hunted the prairie species on a Sioux Reservation in South Dakota, and did pretty well on pheasants in Iowa. We did not find many birds in Missouri, though.

[Randy Zimmer]

After further review, a few questions arose. Apparently it is the locking bolt mechanism that is causing the issue. The question is: are the locking bolt mechanisms the same size in the different size frames, or are all internal parts made to scale? In other words will number two frame internals work in a 1 1/2 frame receiver.
That being said, with the barrels off and the lug disengaged, the top lever moves smoothly without the hitch/catch that causes the shotgun to be difficult to open.
Thank you again for any helpful information

[Brian Dudley]

The bolt itself is the same in all frame sizes. But some of the linkage parts can vary. Even from gun to gun in the same frame sizes.