common things to look out for when buying a sbt

[Bill Murphy]

I bought my first one in 1973 and have been buying them since. I have never bought a bad one and I don't own a bad one.

[Bob Kuczynski]

a big concern of mine is that on average, a sb trap gun will be opened more often than a sbs or an o&u. im most concerned about side play or loose lock up with truniun wear.(sp)

[Thomas Billeter]

Originally Posted by bob kuczynski

a big concern of mine is that on average, a sb trap gun will be opened more often than a sbs or an o&u. im most concerned about side play or loose lock up with truniun wear.(sp)

My first post. I just bought a SBT and shot it the first time today. It's a 1936 gun by the sn and although the wood and metal are nice on the outside the action was very stiff due to not having been cleaned in forever.

I cleaned it up some and took it out this morning. The gun has a release trigger as do my other trapguns. I stopped at the pattern board first and at 30 yards the gun shoots a dense probably 60/40 full choke pattern.

Everything seems to work well. The release lever was about neutral and after 3 rounds is left of center and the action needs to be closed smartly before firing. Does anyone know who would be a good gunsmith to take a look at it? I've had Phillips do work for me in the past and he was first to come to mind.

The other thing that I noticed when cleaning it was that the extractor/ejector screw was loose. Snugged it up and it worked fine to this point. Might be worth a drop of blue locktight?

Any information you oldtimers can provide would be appreciated.

Thanks, Tom

[Dean Romig]

That should rarely be a problem if cleaned and lubricated properly and often enough.






.

[Jeff Christie]

I always try to smear a minute amount of grease (RIG, vasoline, etc) on the hook when ever I assemble it. Push a patch with any good solvent through the barrel, wipe it off after shooting, she will never let you down. I don't have access to a gunsmith without having to trust the UPS or the Postal Service to ship to a gunsmith I'd trust to disassemble it for cleaning.

[James L. Martin]

If you never shot trap with a SBT you will be surprised how good they shoot and move, I have a Ithaca 4E that I shoot trap with but am always on the look out for a Parker. My 4E was made in 1924 and all I did when I bought it was replace the recoil pad and a good cleaning.

[Trap3]

You might want to find a copy of Frank Conley`s book on American Single Barrel Trapguns. I have collected American SBT`s for the last 20 years or so. As a collector I would look for condition and originality.

There are many different single barrels from which to choose. If you are thinking vintage, a nice Ithaca 4e or 5e Knick guns are great values today. Parker C grade very nice SBT, a little harder to find.

There are alot of the vintage guns that have been well maintained. Most have had the recoil pads changed. Most will have 32" barrels. Might be a good idea to mic the bore and choke, Of the ones that I have
checked have not been altered... Hope this is of some value.

Trap3

[Jim McKee]

I agree-find a copy of Frank Conley`s book on American Single Barrel Trapguns.
Excellent collection of information concern all the period SBTs.
Jim

[Bob Kuczynski]

what were the most common pads used on those sbt's from the period? I know some co's sell retro pads. if I had to replace a rotted one, which would you use?

[Autumn Daze]

Bob, Hawkins pads were listed as standard from the factory.