Trouble with 42 Winchester
Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 9:06 pm
I am working on a model 42 Winchester. I noticed something strange about it. If I were to dry fire the shotgun, the action bar is still locked afterwards, and I have to push forward on the forend to release it. Upon live firing, the inertia from the recoil accomplishes this. I even removed the bolt, cocked the hammer and let it down, and the action bar still remains locked by the latch, until I move the forend forward, relieving the tension, the the latch drops down, freeing the action bar. There seems to be considerable spring tension against the forend, when locked in battery. I fear that this tension is preventing the latch from dropping free from the action bar. On my exploded view, I see no spring shown inside the forend, providing this tension. I had been told that the 42's are supposed to be this way, even the Browning 42 Win reproductions, but I examined another 42, and it works normally. Any opinions or ideas on this problem?