Fox Mechanical Problems

[dfilbrandt]

I own a Fox Sterlingworth (1928 vintage) which I obtained about 2 yrs ago. It's a refinished gun and it feels tight and solid. I've shot maybe 200-300 rds thru it with no problems. This passed w/e however, I was shooting trap and quite often the action would open under recoil. I checked to see if I was laying my thumb against the lever when I shot and I'm quite certain I was not. I should have tried holding the lever in the closed position but I didn't think to try that. It didn't seem to matter which barrel I was shooting. My local gunsmith said "sure, bring down & I'll look at it"(what a surprise). It's a 16ga if that makes a difference and I should add I've never shot anything but factory target loads thru it. I thought I should query the membership to see if anyone can shed light on this problem before I go see Gary Gunsmith. Thank you.

Doug Filbrandt

[Silvers]

Welcome Doug to the Fox Forum. That's a very unusual problem for a factory built Fox. Without seeing your gun, but also reading it's been redone, I suspect someone weld overlayed the bolting surface on its barrel extension to tighten the lockup. That of course would require refitting the bolt, very critical work and not for an apprentice type guy. If the bolt isn't contacting its mating surface just right (kind of a secret amongst good gunsmiths) the recoil could generate a force that will try to cam the bolt open. Since your gun worked OK for 2/300 rounds this diagnosis would fit because it would take a while for the surfaces to wear off any rough or high points that might have held the bolt closed earlier on. To be sure I could be all wet with this opinion and there might be other problems inside with the yoke that could cause the same problem - but IMO they are farther down on the probability scale. It's tough to diagnose problems like this with having the gun in hand.

If it were my Fox I'd get it to a gunsmith who specializes in Foxes, not a local guy who might be a generalist. Of course it depends on what you want to invest in a redone gun. Re-do's vary widely in quality depending on who did the work. Good smiths don't come cheap but are always the best value in the long run. My opinion of course.

You might also check out the other postings and our home page, etc. to consider joining the AHFCA if you will be a regular visitor here. Members have access to a hidden forum where Fox guns may be advertised and additional and more detailed info is generally exchanged. Silvers

[dfilbrandt]

Thanks Mr Silvers. I suspect I should start looking for a gunsmith on this web site.

D Filbrandt

[marine.802]

One avenue I have found that helps me deal with mechanical problems is to get copies of the various patents that Fox, Russell and a few others obtained. The MM book lists most of them. You can try the US Patent Office but their results require a special reader (free download). There are a number of other sites, if interested drop me a not and I will supply the URL. With the written description comes a detailed drawing or two and together I find it really clarifies how the different componets work individually and in unison. I stumbled upon this avenue when first trying to understand Dr. Edward Maynard's designs on the breechloadersa that bear his name.

Semper Fi

Dave