sidekick load and repair

[davey]

youth wants to shoot sidekick  26", 209, orange carrier - what is good bullet /powder combo using 1 pyro 50 pellet (or two 30s) 

also my other sidekick ( less than 100 rounds) has developed a hair trigger- any ideas to fix

[quickdtoo]

Light, unsafe triggers require parts replacement, you may be able to get by just replacing the hammer or trigger, just depends on which one is worn beyond useful life, I'd replace the hammer first but shipping both parts at the same time would be most economical. Parts can be ordered from Brownell's or Numrich, H&R will only sell the parts to gunsmiths.

H&R may repair it for nothing, give them a call, toll free (866)776-9292.

Tim

[davey]

sidekick is a 2005   , called and asked how much to repair; they said charge would be decided after receiving gun--whats an est of repair (with trigger job) and are their repairs good/fast now?

[quickdtoo]

See the Ilion satisfaction poll in the FAQs for the latest reports, can't tell ya how much they'll charge, maybe just shipping, but hard to tell.

Tim

[kevinsmith5]

Quick,

Any chance fouling could effect the trigger?

[quickdtoo]

I've never had a Huntsman or Sidekick, they aren't legal here, but I think the carrier doesn't seal well from other posts, so there could be some blow-by getting in the action, but I don't recollect it ever being a problem, that would be a question best answered by some of the veteran H&R ML owners.

Tim

[kevinsmith5]

It might be worth him thoroughly cleaning his action first and checking the trigger afterward before sending it out. I clean the heck out of mine after shooting Pyrodex and regualrly get a lot of gunk out of the action. 

[NatureNick]

I have the aftermarket breech plug from a source whose URL and name appear to be banned from this site, if you want I'll PM you the info.  It allows use of 209 primers without the carriers and ALL of the gunk stays in front of the primer.  Some other guys with this plug have experienced a little gunk ring around the firing pin port in the standing breech face, but I use Kleenbore ML primers & haven't experienced that yet.  I use Birchwood-Casey choke tube lube on the plug threads but some guys use pink HD plumber's teflon tape with good results, seems that would keep threads cleaner than my approach.  Combined effect is no blowback finds its way into any part of my rifle other than where I put the powder & bullet.  As for what's already in your triggerworks, I recommend pulling off the barrel & stock & soaking the whole receiver in a good solvent (in an ultrasonic parts cleaner if you have access to one, I used dry cleaning solvent) followed by blowing it out with your air compressor.  I have a very old H&R shotgun that had a hair trigger when I got it, but after doing that I can only assume I removed congealed gun oil that had gunked up a the hammer notch in the trigger or something like that.  Can't say for sure but I recommend you try it before paying H&R, UPS, or your local gunsmith.  I just know it's held together with a lot of pins I don't care to mess with so I didn't disassemble mine before giving a good cleaning a chance.  Trigger went back to about 4 pounds, with a discernable break that felt right.