Shotgun missfire

[Deek 0]

Went out today for the first time with my new (second hand) shotgun, put one catridge in top barrel, fired it and nothing happened just made a small pinging noise, tried another one and same again, i packed up and came home fu.... o.., any ideas lads, thanks

[Guest Macnas]

Did the striker hit the primers? as in is there a dent in the base of the cartridge?

 

It could be a few things, but first you have to see if the cartridges are being struck. (if they have been, put the bloody things in a bucket of water of the way).

 

I suppose it would be silly to ask if you had the top barrel selected to fire first...

Edited February 18, 2007 by Macnas

[john b 38]

Deek - were there any marks or dents in the percussions caps on the cartridges ?

 

It could be th cartridges if they are old but it's most likely that the springs on the firing pins are weak / worn and don't have enough 'oomph' to make the cap go.

 

If this is a gun someone has had in storage for a long time and left it cocked that the springs will have been compressed all that time. That's part of the argument for using snap caps but there is a counter argument about ejectors so lets not go there ....

 

If that is right, the springs will need replacing but you might be able to rest the springs a bit and see it bit helps. Put a couple of FIRED AND EMPTY cartridge cases in and fire both barrels. Then leave the gun shut until next time you use it. That way you are storing it with the springs 'relaxed' not compressed.

 

I shouldn't have to say it, but I will, for God sake make sure that they are not live cartridges and never leave an old one in after a days shooting. Always empty the gun and only later, as you put it away, put in these makeshift snapcaps. It's too easy to leave a live one in by mistake.

 

One other point on misfires - is this happens again, do not open the breech straight away. Very very occasionally you make get a 'hang fire' which means that the primer has gone off but is burning slow. Always count to 10 before you open the gun and open it away from you and everyone else - otherwise you might get it in the face.

 

Anyway it would be worth trying it with new cartridges or contacting the seller asap and seeing how they're fixed.

[Guest Ditch_Shitter]

F*ck me! I'd just get it to a qualified Gun Smith. Let him sort it out.

 

I once fired a borrowed, old 12 Bore. Walked out of the farm yard and up the lane. Saw a maggie in a tree above me. Raised the gun and aimed like it was a rifle. Squeezed the trigger and Bang! Bird f*cked off!

 

I lowered the gun, wondering what in hell had happened there. Then looked down at the damn thing in my hands. Breech was open a good 1/4" !!!!!

 

" Shit Myself " doesn't come close to it! I've had a morbid fear of blowing the wrong damn head off ever since. That's why I don't mess with guns I don't know to be 100% reliable.

[Guest baldie]

Good rule of thumb, for pinspring strength is, take the forend and barrels off, then point the action uphill, and put a couple of pennies over the pin holes, and pull the triggers.Springs in good condition should propel the pennies to the room ceiling.

[Deek 0]

Thanks for reply lads, there was very small dents in both catridges that were fired for the top barrel didnt try bottom, was sh****** myself by then. I will phone the dealer i got it from tomorrow, whats the best thing to do with the both shells i tried, its realy put me off taking the gun out again thanks again lads