SAFETY RESETS HALFWAY
 

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.

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.

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?

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.