16ga.com ~ View topic

Member Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Posts: 358 Location: Houston

OK, I feel dumb even having to ask this, but . . .

Just got my brand new 16 ga White Lightning. Took it out of the box, cleaned it, oiled it, and assembled it.

Problem is, the forearm is not going back on correctly. It fits to the receiver very nicely, and tight. But when I rotate the upper end toward the barrels and try to snap it on, the forearm latch pushes out and will not return to its latched position.

Has anybody else seen this? Know what to do about it? Am I doing something wrong, or does something still need to loosen up?

Would greatly appreciate any advice.

Brian

Guest

GENTLY push the latch into the forend. Sometimes these need a little help when they are new, Don't force it, but it should seat with a little pressure.

Member Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Posts: 358 Location: Houston

OK, I'll keep trying, now that it's oiled, but so far it's been pretty stiff.

Thanks for the quick response.

Member Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 1522 Location: NH

I've got the exact same problem with my 20ga. Citori Feather. I actually have to tap the lever with my (very) small mallot. A real light tap and it goes right into place. If I try to push it, it doesn't go.
My 16ga. Feather is no problem at all.

Member Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Posts: 358 Location: Houston

Good to know it's the gun and not me, but holy cow! having to use a mallet really scares me.

I'll see what I have the nerve for.

Thanks.

Member Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Posts: 358 Location: Houston

Whew! It worked! VERY gently tapped it down.

Thanks, guys.

Guest

Make sure you squeeze or clasp the forend tightly to the barrels to help it along as much as possible. If you can't get it to go with reasonable pressure or tapping, you'd better call the dealer and let him know what is going on with the gun.

You're making ME nervous with all this!

Guest

Member Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 1522 Location: NH

Yea, when I said a mallot and tapping, I meant VERY lightly tapping. It seems that is just a bit more than what you can press and it works. I don't like that you have to do that and will be taking it to my local Browning dealer when I get a chance. But until then it works.

Member Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Posts: 358 Location: Houston

Update:

I only had to tap it down once. After that it has latched by hand. It's still tight (but then it's new), and it doesn't snap on like the manual says it should, but I consider the problem solved and expect it to get better with use.

662, please use caution in the tap solution. It may be that the wood at the front of the forend in the barrel channel has swollen slightly. If too much force is applied there, the forend may split. I can assure you that getting a new forend or a replacement gun will be a MAJOR HASSLE. Browning does not make the 16 anymore, and I doubt there is any replacement forend wood. Even if they could, it will take a year or two.

Trust me here. I had the misfortune of getting a bum 28 ga. Grade III lightning stock a few years back. It took 9 months of nagging before Browning Service owned up that they couldn't fix the problem due to no high grade small gauge lightning stocks on hand. It took another 6 monthes to get a refund for the gun.

I strongly suggest that you call their Arnold, MO service center. I'm sure they will want the gun back to fix it right. It may take a month or so, but the alternative is too scary. Don't risk it.

Member Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Posts: 358 Location: Houston

16 gauge guy,

Thanks for the advice, but did you post your reply before reading my post of 11:54? As I said in that post, I consider the problem solved since I only had to tap it down once, and it now latches by hand.

Is there anything I'm missing?

It's your gun, and you are in the best position to judge. However, wood can swell and shrink with suprising quickness. I would keep an eye on it. I also would leave the gun unassembled and cased with the forend off for a week or so and try it again. If it gets harder to assemble again, don't tap it, send it back for a refit. But, as i said, it's your gun. good luck.

Member Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Posts: 358 Location: Houston

I'll do exactly that. Thanks.

Joined: 28 Mar 2005 Posts: 88

just bought a gran lightning 16 gauge at the cabela's gun library in mitchell, south dakota on saturday....the clerk assembled the gun, i shouldered it, and bought it....drove 30 miles to where i was staying, tried to assemble it, and ran smack dab into this problem! i drove back there and the guy smacked it from 18" away with an open palm and it snapped back into place...interesting.....