Top Lever problem

Jerry Andrews · 04-30-2011, 10:33 PM

I just bought an O frame 16 GH. Pretty nice little gun, found a perfect GH stock in my stash that actually fits the gun to a " T ". Still has the dogs head plate. The gun however when opened has a top lever that flops around some and will come back close to the top tang screw area. It's not the top lever spring that's weak, it's actually quite strong. The problem is that once the trip engages the bolt and the gun is held open the lever tends to wiggle a bit, much more so than usual. What dictates the tightness in the lever?
By the way, I have this gun completely apart, every moving part in the gun and I must say it's an ingenious design and quite simple. Parts are very well made and fit quite nicely. I need to get this lever to stop flopping around however whent he gun is opened. Once closed, she's as tight as can be. Any ideas? Thanks much, Jerry
Congrats on your win Parker guys/gal. Jerry

TARNATION !!! · 04-30-2011, 11:02 PM

Interesting. The only thoughts that come to mind is wear at some point. Is it the duck bill lever spring? If so, is the stub of the spring tight in the hole in the action? Is there any wear on the round top bolt or the square bolt or bolt lever? How about the top lever screw, any damage to the tip end? If it wiggles only when open, it seems the issue has to be with the engagement of the top lever to the slot in the round top bolt. If nothing is worn or broken, I'm stumped.

Jerry Andrews · 05-01-2011, 09:30 AM

My gun does not have a bushing inside the bolt lever. It's simply a slot. I have an older GH frame hanging around and it does have the bolt lever and bushing, but it appears that mine is not quite as big as the bushing will not fit inside the hole. I'll try & get some pictures of it today. Thanks for writing, Jerry

TARNATION !!! · 05-01-2011, 10:08 AM

Jerry: If "bushing" is the "bolt lever roll" and yours is missing that part, then the round top bolt will likely be able to move up and down a bit when the gun is open. Could be the source of the "wiggle". The guys who thought through all this mechanical engineering had a reason for every part, so if that little part is missing, something ain't gonna work right and maybe that something is the top lever wiggles when the gun is open. Looks like a part a guy could make if one can't be found.

When I was trying to analyze what the designers had built, these were my thoughts about the bolt group

These six parts control many critical functions. The two screws simply hold the group so that it reacts as a single piece. The slot in the round top bolt engages the top lever. When the shooter pushes the top lever, the round top bolt moves forward and the square top bolt moves backward. This action allows the square top bolt to slide off the barrel lug and the barrels to hinge open . When the shooter closes the barrels, the top lever spring returns the top lever to position (slightly right of center when action is tight), the round top bolt moves backward and the square top bolt moves forward, engaging the barrel lug to hold the barrels and receiver tightly in place. The roll within the bolt lever facilitates the required movements. Because the two joined bolts do not move parallel, without the oval slot in the bolt lever and the roll, the assembly would bind and be defeated.

If any clarification can be added to that statement by any member, please jump in.

Cheers
Jack

Jerry Andrews · 05-01-2011, 10:16 AM

Jack, I went out this morning and decided to go ahead and make a bolt and bushing. It came out pretty darn good and it did take care of the wiggle! Thanks much for the advice, Jerry

Dean Romig · 05-01-2011, 10:30 AM

"Necessity is the Mother of Invention"

(And all this time I thought it was Frank Zappa...)

TARNATION !!! · 05-01-2011, 10:38 AM

You're welcome Jerry. I'm glad the problem is solved. Nice thing about this forum. When I get my old hammer single shot Bacon Arms and see just how bad the stock is, I'll be the one looking for advice.
Cheers,
Jack

charlie cleveland · 05-01-2011, 11:15 AM

between you 2 i think i could get my old weed eater running...ha glad we have fellas likeyall jerry and jack plus others here to help fix our treasures like parkers and others.... thanks fellas... charlie

TARNATION !!! · 05-01-2011, 11:22 AM

Charlie: I've found with some of the old weed eaters that they will have a bit more life if you feed them a couple bales of alfalfa and a bit of oat chop.

Jerry Andrews · 05-01-2011, 05:58 PM

Let me know Jack if you need help. I do have a stock duplicator also. Jerry