Re-assembly question

[Fin2Feather]

Sent my A grade 20ga off for some stock work (just action and forend; no barrels); work is completed and the pics look great; however, today I received this email...

"All that said, I have hit a snag on re-assembly however. The top lever is stuck in place just left of center, and I'm not sure why, as I've never had one do that before. The trip stud and spring are removed, and the bolt was traveling freely, and now it's just stuck in place, and I have no idea why. I don't want to force anything. If you want to ask someone on the Fox Collector's site if they have any idea why it would do that, I'm all ears."

Any ideas here? I asked him to replace the auto safety rod which had been removed and sent him a couple nails to use; could that have anything to do with it? THanks for any input...

[OH Osthaus]

"stock work"

new wood? a little inletting black would ID any tight spot, if the spindle is binding

he could tell if its the auto safety rod sticking by taking it out and trying it

[Fin2Feather]

Not new wood but he did repair a crack near the top tang.

[OH Osthaus]

Not new wood but he did repair a crack near the top tang.

OK - stupid question - when he glued/epoxied the crack - was the safety push rod in place

could he have glued that in by mistake

don't ask me why I think that could happen

[FoxintheHenHouse]

Auto safety rod is too long. It is being forced up against the safety's farthest travel point. Trim the rod a little at time until the lever frees up. Mine worked at 1 1/2", but every gun may not be the same.

FoxintheHenHouse

[Fin2Feather]

I passed the suggestions on; here's the reply I got:

"I should clarify, the receiver is not yet installed on the stock.  The top lever is stuck on its own before I've even installed the receiver on the stock, so the push rod is not part of the equation.   I'm just holding the receiver in my hand on its own, and the lever won't budge."   
 

[Brian Dudley]

Phil,
I also answered this question to your PM on the parker board, but i thoight for general knowledge i would post it here as well.

This little issue is not all that uncommon when assembling rotory bolted guns. If the lever is allowed to go over too far past center before all the parts are in place then things will bind.
Whoever has the gun should be able to take things back apart and try again. The lever should come back out the top again in its current state.
Also, you have to make sure not to over tighten the retaining nut on the bottom of the lever. It should be just tight enough to prevent lift and then the set screws do the rest.

[bbman3]

I have had this problem several times when the trip and trip spring are not installed and top lever sticks,loosen the nut holding top lever and push or strike top lever gently and it should break free. Bobby

[Fin2Feather]

Appreciate all the help; thanks.