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I inherited a late teens 12 gauge sterlingworth. It has ejectors but the springs(?) are worn and won’t eject spent shells. Other than that the gun is beautiful (aside from original owner doing a good job at engraving his name on the trigger guard)Anyone near NC that can recommend a competent gunsmith to fix them? Are ejectors rare? Thanks in advance and also thanks for having me in the group!

An old saltwater fisherman showed me a photo of a nice catch of sea trout and redfish. "Sonny, did you catch them at Eagle's Nest?" "No, at Cat's Neck." "Where's that?" "About 14" from his butthole.". Don't expect a heads up on someone's bird hunting spot on a public forum, other than a preserve, if they have a lick of sense. Gil

In the following, I'm assuming that when you say the 'Ejectors work when the gun is dry fired'..that means they snap when the gun is opened,
But, that you do not have any fired cases or snap caps in the chambers.


This is all about the timing of the Ejectors release..so it may not even apply.

The Ejectors may be releasing a bit early. When that happens, you hear them snap, but the rim of the fired hull is not totally clear of the standing breech.
So the bottom edge of the fired hull strikes the top edge of the standing breech upon ejection and goes no where. It pops right back into the chamber.

Opening the gun very slowly after dryfiring with a snap cap or fired hull in place you can sometimes actually see the early release of the ejector and the hull strike the standing breech instead of launching over it.

Put the bbl's in a padded vise helps and gun horizontal when you do this helps even more as you can use 2 hands to slowly and with control open the breech by lowing the action and watch the (dry) fired hull being lifted and then ejected,,and at what point.

If that is the problem, the Ejector can be made to release a bit later by adjusting the Ejector Sear in the forend.
It takes a very tiny amt of change to effect what you need.

>
Another problem of why the Ejector snaps too early may be a weak Ejector / Ejector Sear engagement ,
These two parts have a squared 'sear engagement' much like a trigger mechanism.
If one or both parts is worn or has been worked over in attempts to change or somehow improve the Ejector timing, that Engagement my be less than secure.
If it was a trigger,,some would use the term ' hair trigger' to describe it

The parts are hardened, Case Hardened usually. Don't try bending the Ejector Sear.
But if the engagement is weak, the angle off...just like with a trigger, it doesn't take as much pressure to release it.
So when the gun is opened the Ejector Sear is push out of enagement with the Ejector (Kicker) too quickly and the early release of the Ejector occurs.

Might not be the problem,,but a couple things to check for

Gunter Pfrommer
2954 Hopkins Road
Rocky Mount, VA 24151
540 484-5555

Welcome on your first postings

What Stanton has said is spot on. I would suggest trying a box of Win AA or Rem Premier or STS
These have brass heads and not coated steel heads.

Might make a large difference

Mike

p.s. where in NC, my daughter lives in Boone

The springs could have been removed.

Fortunately this is one is in pretty dang good shape. Bores and chambers are free of any rust or pitting. Has a good amount of the case hardening remaining and the only thing I can find wrong aside from the ejectors is the original owners name engraved on the trigger guard

A good double gunsmith that can fix your ejectors can take care of that trigger guard graffiti.