Top Lever malfunction on SW 20

[3birddogs]

On Wednesday I buried the best English setter I've ever had after her 3 year struggle with cancer. As per my custom, I gave a double barrel salute with my late Savage era SW 20. After firing and opening the gun, the top lever went back to the middle and I had to hold it to the right to close the gun. Back in the house, with snap caps I had the same problem, although some times the top lever would catch and hold properly. Any ideas or suggestions?

[bbman3]

I am very sorry about your loss! The top lever trip may need a drop of oil to get it working properly.You might also check the trigger plate screw in front of trigger guard to be sure it is tight. Bobby

[jolly bill]

3birddogs,

Sorry to hear about the loss of your dog. Not a pleasant thing. Fitting tho, that you gave her a fitting two gun/barrel salute.

To further bbman3's explanation, likely the trip pin is sticky and does not come all the way up to catch the rotary bolt and top lever.

You can test it by removing the fore end and barrels to expose the top of the trip pin. That's the approx 3/16" dia nestled in the cut out in the receiver where the rib extension sets. With the receiver in your left hand (and the bbls and FE are still off), use your left finger to push the top lever to the right to take pressure off the trip pin. With a nail, screw driver or such, you should be able to push the trip pin down and it should rise back up on its own. There is a little coil spring under it to push it up. If it's sticky, a light drop of G96 or other light gun applied to the pin should free it up.

Keep us posted on your progress.

Jolly

[3birddogs]

Thanks bbman3 and Jolly bill for your replies. I put a drop of oil on it last night after cleaning the area first and I could not get it to malfunction after that. This forum has been a great learning experiance thanks to helpful members such as yourselves.