Hard opening Sterlingworth

[funhog]

Howdy folks! I have a really nice Sterlingworth that functions perfectly in all respects. Picked up some shells and took it to the trap range recently for its maiden shoot. I had not fired the gun previously. My mystery is that with snap caps, it fires perfectly and opens perfectly. Extractors work fine. But after I fire a shell, the gun becomes extremely difficult to open. It opens 1/4 inch or so right away, but the final opening is HARD. The shells are not stuck in the barrels, and the extractors work fine (once I get the gun open!). Any ideas on what is causing this? The good thing is that I could hit the clays with it! Thanks! funhog

[ROMAC]

From what I've read over the years, it sounds like the firing pins are getting stuck in/on soft primers.

Try a different brand of shotgun shell shell known for harder primers and see if this problem goes away.

I've never had the problem myself, so I don't have any recommendations as to what brand might work best to see if that might be the cure.

[funhog]

Thanks for the suggestion. The thing is, the breech is already open that 1/4 inch before it becomes difficult to completely open! Another Fox mystery! funhog

[ROMAC]

Based on your description, it works with snap caps, does not work with shells.

Snap caps = same as hard primers. It's not the gun, has to be the shells unless the chambers are grossly oversized and the shell base is "fire forming" to the oversized chamber and getting stuck.

Try polishing the chambers with a bronze brush chucked in a cordless drill, if there are any imperfections or hardened grease/oil/muck causing the shell to stick a good clean and polish might do the trick.

[fox-admin]

Check your fired hulls and see if you can see a drag mark on the primer. If yes try Remington shells.

[funhog]

Next time I'm at the range I'll try these ideas! I never really looked at the primers when I shot it the first time. Thank you so much for the suggestions and I'll let you know what happens...funhog

[Jeff S]

Fun dog, I experienced the same problem with my 1924 Sterlingworth while I was at Hausmann’s in 2015. A “veteran” Fox guy explained the primer situation. Back then I was using “over the counter” shells. While at the event I switched to RST shells which alleviated the problem. That was my experience.

[funhog]

Thanks so much for the info. I will really pay attention to my primers, as I probably should have already!! funhog