SKB Gas Shotgun won't cycle light loads

[greer]

 This is about the 3rd SKB semi auto shotgun that I've dealt with that will cycle a heavier load but won't a light load. This one looks new inside and out. As far as I know there's no adjustment to make. Do these guns have that reputation? I've never owned one and am no shotgun expert for sure. Any insights would sure be appreciated. Thanks              greer

[Graybeard]

How light ya talking about? Will it cycle promotional one ounce loads? Darn few will cycle 7/8 oz loads I use iffen I use a 12 ga. I'm assuming it is a 12.

[greer]

Thanks. It is a 12 ga. The shells that I tried were Remington High Vel, 7/8 oz  1390 fps. With these shells it would just leave the hull in the chamber. It worked fine with Win. Pheasant loads although it wasn't pleasant to shoot. Is the owners only option to just experiment with different loads until he finds one that functions o.k. but doesn't kick too much? The action tube looked fine and was nice and shiny. I lightly oiled it but no luck. Thanks again for the reply. greer

[Graybeard]

Not many semiautos will function with 12 ga 7/8 oz loads regardless of velocity. Guns made specifically as target guns some times will but field guns won't generally. Buy the promo one ounce loads and it should work fine.

[greer]

Thanks. I've learned something. At least it's a simple fix.    Thanks again.

[greer]

Just for the heck of it I tried the same 7/8 oz loads in a Remington 1100 and they worked fine. They ejected 2 or 3 feet out.  Thanks again. greer

[Rangr44]

They are not gas-compensating, like many modern auto shotguns, and are thus less tolerant of deviations from the load it was designed around (load/gas port size/etc).

BTW - the "action tube", aka the outside of the magazine tube, should not be lubed on any semi-auto shotgun, as that will accelerate the slide/bolt velocity, eventually causing premature wear/failure of the action.

.

[greer]

Thanks for the reply.  greer

[gunnut69]

it is a good idea to lightly oil the action tube. Even the Browning A5 and Rem M11 need this lightly oiled. In gas operated guns this has no effect at all as the gas tap is the actuator. IF the gun leaves empties in the chamber it is said to be short cycling. usually caused by insufficient energy applied to the action. Look for dragging of the parts(bolt carrier, action bar,recoil spring) or a blocked gas port. Clean the gas port with a pipe cleaner and carberator spray cleaner.. Carbon and plastic buildup can clog these and will! Also on this model check for burrs on the shells stops as they can interfere with proper action cylcling..