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Joined: 26 Apr 2010 Posts: 3178 Location: NCWa

On the break action guns that I use the opening lever may be pushed to either side and the action will open. In several postings I've read recently about the position of the lever, I believe when the action is closed- good is in the middle, bad is when it is to one side. I suspect that the level being off-center is the result of the action being stretched by pressures exceeding the guns strength. So the result of the stretched parts is that the lever movement is shifted to the side- the distance that the lever needs to be pushed is the same but it starts off-center and needs to go to a farther position than previously. So when someone posts that a closed action has the lever some degrees off center- does it matter if it is to the left or right, and more importantly are the conclusions that I have reached above- correct?

Member Joined: 02 Feb 2006 Posts: 602 Location: western pa

Which guns open either direction? What type action?

Joined: 09 Jul 2009 Posts: 510 Location: Central CT

AM,

Most O/U's open by pushing the top lever to the right. Most of these shotguns will have the lever over to the right when they are new. As they wear the lever will move towards the center, when they start showing left of center many are considered to be worn.

I have never had an O/U under top lever move to the center never ming to the left of center. I guess I haven't been shooting them enough.

I believe the 24 Savage and the 240 Stevens have two way levers,
Mike

Joined: 26 Apr 2010 Posts: 3178 Location: NCWa

I checked the break actions that I have access to- The Savage 22/410 and the Stevens 410/410 both open in either direction. All the rest opened only to the right. Before I make a statement as above, I should have noted that the guns that I use most are the 2 410s since most of my shooting involves students shooting my guns. But the inquiry remains the same- is the change in placement of the lever a result of the action stretching due to excessive loads?

Hello
Yes and No, the lever movement can be from excess loads, from normal wear and tear, and from neglect, and from abuse.
Some guns (older with softer metals) are more influenced by loads not of excess in modern guns but of excess to them.
Hope this helps

Take for example the Ithaca Flues, treat it softly.

Mike

Joined: 19 Jun 2004 Posts: 1480 Location: Mpls, MN.

I think a few flusies actually cracked their frames. Seems I recall photos of this happening to a couple 20 gauge guns. I'm no expert on those, and can't recall the exact problem. But, a Flues is an old gun, and one should be careful about their feeding and use.
The Tobin problem, noted over on the for sale section, is unique to those guns, from what I have seen. Other designs of doubles tend to wear at the knuckle, which, is a fairly easy repair. Tobins actually bend. You can put one back in service with a shim to the hook, just like a different type of gun with a worn knuckle, but, used with high pressure ammunition after said repair, a Tobin just keeps bending.
Low pressure use with these guns. Unfortunately, most seem to already be in a sprung condition. They are near, or over, 100 years old, for the most part.

Best,
Ted

The 1st flues guns cracked because the action angle was a square 90 degrees . The improvement was to radius the curve ... my Ithaca 500 ix beyond middle - been shot a gazillion times . I noticed reffing today that a couple brownings were passed center . We just need to get them adj ... My Norv/Schap Tobin is still in good shape - love the gun , and there is no possibility anything heavy will go thru it - maybe an INT TRAPLOAD for turkeys - otherwise , mid pressure 7/8 ouncers . Most of my smiths agree that most of that wear is from slamming the gun closed - well sized handloads can make these guns last forever - badly sized ones will put the guns in the crapper fairly fast .

Member Joined: 09 Jun 2005 Posts: 885 Location: Wisconsin

I have a TC Model 83 single shot, they were available with either rifle or shotgun barrel and the lever works either way. I have 2 rifle barrels, but alas no shotgun barrel.

Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 728

The lever on my Valmet Lion 16 gauge O/U was loose when I acquired it and slightly left after disassembly and reassembly with some nail polish on the screw that secures the opening lever. The action is similar to the Krieghof/Remington 32/3200 type and the barrels are still tight on the action face in spite of the lever position. Since the opening lever just exrtracts the locking cover/hood on this gun I'm pretty sure the position has no correlation to action wear/tightness.

I have noticed quite a few Valmet with the sliding hood with the lever a little left. Like was said, I don't believe it has any bearing on this gun.

Had a 333 20 that one of my granddaughter's husband has now.

Joined: 01 Feb 2011 Posts: 2

.....the lever on winchester Model 21s came from the factory set at the 5:30 position....a bit right of center. Over time, mishandling would cause undue wear and the lever would move towards the 6:00 position(centered) and even sometimes beyond.

........the mishandling comes from working the lever and the barrels drop down hard due to gravity...the recommended way to open a model 21 is to hold the gun fairly level with both hands....work the lever, and LOWER the stock with your right hand...the ejectors will then kick the hulls out behind you.

Most posts you see on trying to sell a gun say "lever still to the right" implying that the hinge is still in good shape and to the left would be worn,assuming that the gun only opens to the right. not either way as yours does

Joined: 10 Jan 2007 Posts: 22

I have a Marlin Model 90 O/U that was made in 1950 that my dad bought used for me in 1957 or 1958. The top lever (opens to the right) has always been well left of center. It never dawned on me that I've been shooting a "worn out" gun for over 50 years. Perhaps I'm missing something, but it still locks up as tight as it ever did, so I have no reason to believe there is anything wrong with it. Because my dad gave it to me (it was my first "grown-up" shotgun), I will never sell it, and I'm not concerned about continuing to shoot it.

Based on my experience with my Model 90, if I'd have had the chance, I probably would have bought that "sweet" Guild gun for $225.