doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DIY Gunsmithing @ doublegunshop.com Iver Johnson Hercules

I have an Iver Johnson Hercules 12 Gauge that I would like to take dove hunting. I amd have having two problems and wonder if anyone would be able to offer advice to fix them

1st, every so often the breech opens after I fire the left barrel. I have an original locking bolt and the barrels lock up tight.

2nd, the safety seems to rest every time I fire the right barrel. When I try to fire the second barrel, the safety is re-engaged.

I believe these problems both stem from the top lever or top lever tension spring. The safety resets every time the top lever is moved to open the action.

Has anyone experienced this before?

Not on an Iver Johnson but I once had a Fox that did the same thing, long before I was gunsmith. The issue on the Fox was the rotary bolt and where the engagement was. Upon recoil it was putting force on the wrong part of the circular fit and causing it to pop open and re-set the safety. Certainly could be related to top lever spring tension in your case.
Steve

Thanks, I bought some extra parts of eBay months ago, and may switch out the top lever, plunger and spring to see if it makes a difference. It makes sense that its moving the lever just enough to reset the safety and sometimes opening the breech after firing the left barrel.