action falls open

stevewhr · Post by **stevewhr** » Sat Sep 13, 2014 12:44 pm

I tried a search and had no luck, so the question is, why does my action fall open? It's been working fine till now. After cleaning the gun the action refuses to stay shut. I only pushed a rod thru the barrel, but now it will not stay shut. Any ideas as to why that would be? Steve

deerhuntsheatmeup · Post by **deerhuntsheatmeup** » Sat Sep 13, 2014 12:57 pm

Lever spring is broke.

Best, Barvid

stevewhr · Post by **stevewhr** » Sat Sep 13, 2014 1:02 pm

Well crap, is that something I did, or just a weakness with the design? By the way, thank you. Is the gun safe to shoot, so long as I keep the action closed? Steve

Eric Johanen · Post by **Eric Johanen** » Sat Sep 13, 2014 2:00 pm

Sometimes springs just break. Contact Shiloh and get 2 springs. 1 for the gun and a spare. I always like to have one on hand just in case. One broke on my Military rifle and I had a spare for a Pedersoli that I was able to fit up and keep shooting. I have to order a Shiloh and install as the Italian spring has light tension when the lever is fully closed---but it works for now. Ordering a spare firing pin may not be a bad idea too. Those are about the only spare parts I think you would need. Can not think of anything that might fail on a Shiloh.

stevewhr · Post by **stevewhr** » Sat Sep 13, 2014 2:15 pm

Well, you are ever so right. The spring is broke. Thanks for the quick, accurate diagnoses. The spare idea is a good one. Monday I get to call Montana...Steve

Jim Kidwell · Post by **Jim Kidwell** » Sat Sep 13, 2014 2:45 pm

Steve,
Don't break it open or slam it shut too hard. The spring will last a long time, if you give it some respect.

FWIW...................................Jim

stevewhr · Post by **stevewhr** » Sat Sep 13, 2014 3:00 pm

Thanks for the tips, I don't think I've handled it rough but I'll be careful nonetheless! Steve

jackrabbit · Post by **jackrabbit** » Sat Sep 13, 2014 8:49 pm

stevewhr wrote:Thanks for the tips, I don't think I've handled it rough but I'll be careful nonetheless! Steve

Steve, I have a spare if you want it. PM me and I will get you a phone number. I just live down the road a few miles.
Take care, Cody

stevewhr · Post by **stevewhr** » Sat Sep 13, 2014 9:22 pm

jackrabbit wrote:
stevewhr wrote:Thanks for the tips, I don't think I've handled it rough but I'll be careful nonetheless! Steve
Steve, I have a spare if you want it. PM me and I will get you a phone number. I just live down the road a few miles.
Take care, Cody

Incoming PM! Thanks Cody, we need to meet anyway. Steve

Lumpy Grits · Post by **Lumpy Grits** » Sun Sep 14, 2014 10:42 am

Lever spring and firing pin tip are the 2 wear/weak parts of the '74 Sharps.
The lever spring is different between std BBL and heavy--
Call Shiloh and have your serial # handy.
LG

John Boy · Post by **John Boy** » Sun Sep 14, 2014 10:12 pm

Lever spring and firing pin tip are the 2 wear/weak parts of the '74 Sharps.

Put the hammer on half cock - then drop the finger lever ... no more broken firing pins
And if at the range and your pin breaks, point the muzzle skyward and then lower gently - the pin will still dent the primer anvil

Now I have in the range box spare pins and level springs as insurance policies

stevewhr · Post by **stevewhr** » Mon Sep 15, 2014 8:49 am

Thanks to jackrabbit, the Shiloh is back up and running! New parts are on the way, life is good! Steve

Lumpy Grits · Post by **Lumpy Grits** » Mon Sep 15, 2014 9:04 am

John Boy wrote:
Lever spring and firing pin tip are the 2 wear/weak parts of the '74 Sharps.
Put the hammer on half cock - then drop the finger lever

That's what I do-Still, I have had broken f'pins on my Shiloh's.
HINT: If your groups, all of a sudden open up. CHECK THE FIRING PIN TIP

Gary

John Bly · Post by **John Bly** » Tue Sep 16, 2014 6:18 am

Last weekend I shot the mid-range match in Cumberland NJ. I shot a 98-3x at 300 yds which was my personal best. At 600 yds I shot several 7's that I thought werent' on call. They were all over the place, at 12, 4 and 7 o'clock. When I got home I checked my firing pin and it was broken. With several thousand rounds through the rifle I guess it fatigued and broke. I've only opened the action without bringing the hammer to half-cock probably less then a half dozen times. It happens sometimes even if you are well trained in using a '74 Sharps. I had two spares and gave one to another shooter at a shoot this summer and have now used my last spare. A call to Shiloh is in order. Always keep a spare firing pin and lever spring if you own a Sharps.

Kitsap · Post by **Kitsap** » Tue Sep 16, 2014 8:42 am

Lumpy Grits wrote:Lever spring and firing pin tip are the 2 wear/weak parts of the '74 Sharps.
The lever spring is different between std BBL and heavy--
Call Shiloh and have your serial # handy.
LG

Is there enough information available to know whether or not the same situation exists with the Shiloh '77 action?

DougF

Shiloh Rifle Forums

action falls open

action falls open

Re: action falls open

Re: action falls open

Re: action falls open

Re: action falls open

Re: action falls open

Re: action falls open

Re: action falls open

Re: action falls open

Re: action falls open

Re: action falls open

Re: action falls open

Re: action falls open

Re: action falls open

Re: action falls open