I’ve got a Browning 20 gauge special sporting that seems to enjoy giving me fits. About a month ago, while shooting, it suddenly more or less locked up. The lever hung up neutral, and nothing happened when I pulled the trigger. I messed with it for quite some time and nothing worked. I took it to Phillips and in about 30 seconds he flicked a tiny piece of shot out from under the top barrel ejector. It was so tiny you couldn’t see it when it came out. Just a momentary sight of something flying through the air. He explained that when shooting reloads a single piece of number 8 under the ejector will lock it up. OK got that down.
Now as seen in the pictures, somehow the brass on these Remington hulls seems to try to peel back. I suppose the brass is supper soft. Anyhow, same thing happened when I tried to shoot a similar loaded shell. The gun was hard to close but it did close. Tried to pull the trigger and nothing happened. Top lever at neutral or 6 o’clock if you will. Broke it open and had to pry the shells out. Took it home, broke it down and started the inspection. I moved the ejectors back and forth, and nothing came out. I knew something was there but you couldn’t see it. I took a dental pick and gently started digging in the slot where the ejectors slide. After a bit of digging a TINY and I mean TINY sliver of brass slipped out from under the ejector. It was so small it is hard to describe. About as much as shown on these hulls in the pictures.
Now I examine every hull before it goes into the MEC. Slows down the process, but it saves trouble on the range. Don’t know why it’s happening and it’s random. Maybe one per box. Strangely enough I’ve never had a problem with Remington 12 gauge In my other Brownings or Beretta.
Now as seen in the pictures, somehow the brass on these Remington hulls seems to try to peel back. I suppose the brass is supper soft. Anyhow, same thing happened when I tried to shoot a similar loaded shell. The gun was hard to close but it did close. Tried to pull the trigger and nothing happened. Top lever at neutral or 6 o’clock if you will. Broke it open and had to pry the shells out. Took it home, broke it down and started the inspection. I moved the ejectors back and forth, and nothing came out. I knew something was there but you couldn’t see it. I took a dental pick and gently started digging in the slot where the ejectors slide. After a bit of digging a TINY and I mean TINY sliver of brass slipped out from under the ejector. It was so small it is hard to describe. About as much as shown on these hulls in the pictures.
Now I examine every hull before it goes into the MEC. Slows down the process, but it saves trouble on the range. Don’t know why it’s happening and it’s random. Maybe one per box. Strangely enough I’ve never had a problem with Remington 12 gauge In my other Brownings or Beretta.
