Gouges in shotgun primers after firing

[big_daddy_oh]

Greetings!

I have wondered about a perplexing problem for years, and am hoping someone knowledgeable about gunsmithing and repair can give me some insight. The firearm in question in a circa 1983 AYA "Yeoman" double-barrel 12 gauge shotgun.

Some years ago I began experiencing a problem in which, after firing the shotgun, the breach was very hard to break open. Upon doing so, I saw that there were groove, and drag marks, in the primers. It seemed that the firing pins were going in too deep, and perhaps not retracting. Sometimes it appeared that the primers had backed out of the case a tiny bit, but that could be due to the pulling action against the primers. This is obviously not how the firearm is supposed to operate. It has always been kept clean, and I have only shot factory ammo from the firearm. I have not yet taken it to a gunsmith.

Any insight into cause, corrective action, would be appreciated.

BDO

[Frank46]

I'm no expert on double barreled shotguns so having said that here is what I would suggest. Look at the breech face and see if the firing pin holes are out of round or show any signs of the firing pins dragging on the lower edge of the firing pin holes. This may or may not be the cause of the sticky opening. Now how to fix it would be the next question. Since you said this is a 1983 year shotgun a trip to a good shotgun smith might be in your future. Worn parts or springs??. Hope what little I have posted may be of some help. Frank

[gunnut69]

I would suggest a trip to a smith. Lots of possible causes, oversized firing pin holes, worn firing pins, damaged or missing retraction springs on the firing pins, it could even be a bit off the face(excess headspace). This is oing to require a knowledgeable smith..

[Graybeard]

Firing pins are not properly retracting as the gun opens. It isn't that uncommon a situation. Other than the possibility of it damaging the firing pins there is no other particular down sides I'm aware of.

Could be pins are too long or maybe the springs just aren't set up properly to retract them as the gun opens.

[Bigeasy]

Never had that particular problem with a shotgun, but did with a TC break open single shot handgun - hard to open, and primers that showed a "swipe mark" across their faces from the firing pins.  Using ammo with harder primers cured the symptom.  Replacing the firing pin spring cured the problem.  The fact that primers seem to be backing out could indicate a bit of frame stretching, allowing enough of a gap between the shell/primer and the breach face upon firing to allow the primer to back out slightly, but that is only one possibility.  Could be as simple as poor primer fit in those particular shells.  Some Spanish manufacturers have had the reputation for using relatively soft steel, allowing for action stretch, but AYA has always had a good reputation.  As others have stated, a trip to a knowledgeable gun smith is in order if trying a different brand of shell does not solve the problem.
 
Larry

[big_daddy_oh]

Thanks for the insights and suggestions. I will try to find a local area smith who has an expertise in side-by-side shotguns. AYA as a brand, it usually VERY high cost, with inletting, engraving, inlaying, etc. Seen many in catalogs for $10-15K+. Mine is the "Yeoman" model, which is their entry-level gun. It is a nice gun for birds and bunnies, easy to carry and bring on target. Nothing fancy, but a nice firearm with decent wood and checkering. I used it to take a few hares and pigeons in Scotland about 30 years ago. Thanks again. 

[bilmac]

My Fox double and a Savage 311 I once owned both leave a drag mark on the primer from opening the gun.

[spooked]

An ole LC Smith Hammergun with fluid steel barrels, two Savage 511's, One Jabe Spanish double and none of them show drag marks...Sounds like I'm lucky...