Pendersoli 10ga double barrel problem

[redhorse1955]

While hunting Geese this weekend I encountered a problem I have not seen before with my gun. Both barrels were loaded with full loads [110 grains of powder, and over powder card, a plastic shot cup and equal volume of hevi-shot]. When I pulled the right barrel the left hammer slipped to the half cock [or safe] position. :curse: I'm planning on taking this to the gunsmith for repair, but wondered if anyone else had seen this problem with their doubles. If so, what was done to correct the problem?

 

[Dave K]

Are the 2 sears from both locks touching? Are the triggers too high and riding on the sears? It does take some study that is tough to do without a hands on look-see.

 

[redhorse1955]

Rather than mess up the gun I think I'll have my gunsmith look at this... I was just wondering if others had experienced the same problem.

 

[Zonie]

redhorse1955: I moved this to the Shotgun (smoothbore) Forum because there are a lot more double barrel shooters there than there are on the Precussion Forum.

 

[redhorse1955]

Thanks for moving it... I was originally debating where to put it.

 

[musketman]

I would have a gunsmith check out the sear, sear notch and the sear spring at the full cock position...

But first, please try this, with the gun empty cock the hammers, with thumb pressure, push on the back side of the hammer and see if it slips to the half-cock position...

Is there a trigger pull adjustment for each trigger?

This could allow the sear/notch engagement to be too sensitive and the result is that the recoil is setting the trigger off...

 

[redhorse1955]

Hammer did not move when pressure was applied... and there are no trigger pressure adjustments... guess my local gunsmith is going to be the best course of action at this point .... :thanks: for the suggestions though.

 

[musketman]

guess my local gunsmith is going to be the best course of action at this point .... :thanks: for the suggestions though.

That would be the safest route to take, after thinking on this and thinking some more, does the hammers "cock" with the same force?

I mean is one side harder to cock than the other?

The hammer that falls to halfcock could possibly have a weak mainspring that is allowing it to move under recoil instead of the sear's notch being cut too shallow... :hmm:

 

[redhorse1955]

I haven't really noticed any difference in tension while cocking either hammer. :hmm: They both seem to take the same force to 1/2 cock or full cock them [that's only an observation since I have not measured them with a force guage].

 

[musketman]

I would have your friendly gunsmith check it out, I do suspect the sear/notch area, could be something as simple as a burr on the edge of the sear to something as drastic as a broken sear point or even a rounded off notch that just needs refaced...

There is no real way of telling without getting in there and looking around...

If you try to fix it yourself remember this, it's much easier to remove metal than it is to replace it, work slow...

 

[redhorse1955]

:thanks: for all the advise and suggestions... it's in the Gunsmith's hands now... hopefully I'll have it back before Migratory Goose and Turkey seasons start.

 

[Rusty Old Gunns]

Red Horse,

I agree that there is a problem with the lock. Something may be worn, or a bit loose. It's not too uncommon that firing one barrel of a double loostens the charge or wads in the other barrel, do to recoil... especially on a big ole 10. This recoil could be complicating the problem.

But having some experience with doubles, I have to tell you that that second hammer should not be at full cock when you fire the first. I have seen recoil and a fault in the lock cause both barrels to go at once.

Boy, won't THAT roll your boat over, aye?

It also can cause accidental discharges. With a good hit the gun is most often lowered. The shooter often advances or sends out the dog. The fact that the second hammer is still on full cock may slip the shooters mind.



Just my thoughts here, my friend.

 

[redhorse1955]

Thanks... I didn't even think of leaving the second at 1/2 cock. Since I was goose hunting at the time of the failure I was anticipating pulling both anyway when the flock came in... Imagine my surprise when the second trigger wouldn't pull. :: By the time I realized what had happened the flock was gone.

Thanks for the input. It's at the gunsmith now, I should have it back sometime next week. :thanks:

 

[Bob J]

Both barrels were loaded with full loads [110 grains of powder, and over powder card, a plastic shot cup and equal volume of hevi-shot].

I think this load may slightly exceed the manufacturer's max load; my Pedesoli 10 ga. max load listing is 4 drams of powder (109 grains) and 1 1/2 oz.shot. I'm not splitting hairs about the 110 grains, that's how I set my powder measure. But an equal volume of shot would be somewhat higher than 1 1/2 oz. Believe 3 1/2 drams of powder is the same volume as 1 1/2 oz.of shot; mine wouldn't pattern with this load. It performs best with 110 grains of 2f and 1 1/2 oz.of shot. :m2c:

 

[Rebel]

70 grs volume = 1 0z shot
80 grs = 1 1/8 oz
90 grs = 1 1/4 oz
100 grs = 1 3/8 oz
110 grs = 1 1/2 oz
Now, these figures are for Lead shot, so i can't say with any other brand of shot if they are the same.

 

[redhorse1955]

I agree, 110 or 109... one grain won't make that much difference. Besides I don't 'settle' the powder in my measure..just in the barrel.
As far as the shot goes, equal volume with the powder gave me about 80% coverage in a 36" circle using the #6 hevi shot with a plastic shot cup [to save the barrel from scoring] at 40 yds. BB's didn't pattern worth a damm... couldn't get but about 50% of the BB's in any load combination in the same size circle.

I've read information from a lot of people who say less shot more powder and others that say less powder more shot. Others say experiment with what shoots best in the gun since every gun is different. I opted for the "experiment" route and settled on the best pattern to knock down geese. :results:

 

[redhorse1955]

I like the chart, but my 110 grain equal volume of the Hevi Shot filled a 2oz shot cup to the top.... :hmm:

 

[Rebel]

Well, like i said, that is for lead. I know with steel shot i have to use a lot more to get the same weight because it is lighter. 1 1/4 oz of #1 steel fills a 3" .12 ga. shotcup. That would be around 2 oz of lead shot in that cup.

 

[Bob J]

I like the chart, but my 110 grain equal volume of the Hevi Shot filled a 2oz shot cup to the top.... :hmm:

My 110 grain powder measure filled with #5 lead shot filled my shot measure set at 1 3/4 oz.

 

[redhorse1955]

Guess I'll have to look at my measuring closer. :hmm: My gun may not be the only problem. I bow to your knowledge :master: as I'm a 'lone loader' [there is no one else around me that shoots BP] and I don't consider myself an expert by any means. :thanks: