doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Cant close action: Firing pins in the way

Hi everyone, first post here. I am a relative newcomer to SXS and a few days ago I picked up a 28 gauge Bernardelli Roma 3 (sideplated boxlox). I was able to take the barrels and forend off and put it back together a few times but now I cant close the action as the ejectors hit on the extended firing pins. The firing pins move if I press down on them so I know they aren't stuck. Like I said, I'm fairly new to SxS's so it could be something very simple that I'm doing wrong but any help would be appreciated.

Have you tried pressing the ejectors flush into their pockets before you attempt to mount the barrels on the action? If yes, do they go in smoothly?

Pushing both ejectors in results in the same situation. The right ejector goes in and out smoothly the left hits a 'snag' at some point and requires much more effort.

I just put one of my boxlock ejectors (an old Browning B-SS) together. Its ejectors do stand proud, after I've pushed them flush, when I mount the barrels, but they have no problem camming over the extended firing pins when I reassemble and close the shotgun. You were able to do it a couple of times before this problem appeared, though?

Are you remembering to keep the opening lever fully to the right throughout the entire re-assembly process?

And... There ought to be a screw between the two protrusions on the underside of the barrel. It's a fore-and-aft travel-stop for the ejectors. Is it sitting flush with the surface it's inlet into, or is it standing proud a bit? Because maybe your ejectors are sticking out a bit too much after you went through your takedown exercises. The screw might have backed-out a bit.

Note that I'm pretty new at this, too. I've had my share of DOH! moments with my shotguns.

cock the hammers/tumblers. you released them (pulled the triggers) while you had the barrels off the action.

Given that the original poster can't get the shotgun to close in the first place in order to recock the hammers, is this done by pushing the receiver's cocking dogs (or whatever they're properly called) against the edge of a workbench or kitchen table, or something? (I seem to recall a Midway video wherein their ancient British gunsmith did just that.)

The edge of the wooden workbench is the classic method. Removing the false sideplates may allow access to the hammer/tumbler.

I assume that you are referring to Jack Rowe as their "ancient" British gunsmith in the Midway videos. If you had known him you would have more respect of him and his years than that. I suspect that you are of the generation where the most common word in their vocabulary is "awesome".

Yes, Mister Jack Rowe. Your assessment of my age is incorrect, and I expected the term "ancient" to be interpreted in the most honorific manner. As in, having the knowledge of the Ancients.

Now. Let's dust our hands and help this 28-gauge owner solve his problem. Constructively.

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I suspect, as others have suggested, you need to cock the gun by pushing on the cocking dogs. I would only add to do one at a time. Pressing them on the edge of a table takes a good bit of force.