general question about tightness
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 11:10 am
If, say, a Sterlingworth was very tight with the action closed, but a teeny bit loose with it open, would that be a reason, in general, to avoid a purchase?
Mollow,
What you are describing is normal for the Fox action. With only one lump to locate the barrels in the action bar they can be slightly "wobbly" when the action is open. When the action is closed fully and the forend is off there should be no movement of the barrels on the action and, in a perfect world, the barrel flats should ride just above the water table without touching it. This flat to table space is gradually taken up as the action ages and the rotary bolt draws the barrels downward, keeping the action on face. Make sure you take the forend off before you check for "tightness" as the spring loaded SW forend can take up a fair amount of wear in the action and hide an off-face condition.
Cheers, DoubleGun