SKB O/U 12G Locking latch

[ClaytonT88]

Hi all,

I inherited this SKB 500 O/U 12g from my Uncle/Poppa and when I first opened the case, it was quite rusty/gummed up around the locking latch.

I soaked it in some break-free and penetrene and with the help of a brass drift, got it moving until I could open/close it, then I gave it a thorough clean with penetrene, G96, compressed air and gently wet/dry sanded the "grabby" bits of rust on the lugs that I could feel when working the latch.

Now I've spent some more time cleaning it in preparation to take it out and bust some clays, I can't get the latch to close all the way when the barrels are closed. It seems to cock, eject, etc. fine but I don't want to fire it until I get this sorted. The latch goes in all the way when the barrels aren't closed..

It does seem that the barrels are fully closing but the latch/locking mechanism just doesn't go in all the way.

I'm thinking the next step is to take it to a gunsmith for a full service/clean before I go about using it.

Any other suggestions?

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[No1Mk3]

On a new gun, or one seldom used, the lever will not close all the way. As the action wears you will notice the lever move more towards center.

[animalpest]

It's normal. Yep, as No1 says. My SKB still did it for many years but is closer to centre aligned now.

[Diamond Jim]

Normal, my 1950's Browning is now noticeably "left of centre" and it locks up solid and shoots fine. Your SKB has many thousands of rounds to shoot before it is likely to be of any concern.

[ClaytonT88]

Oh wow, thanks guys, I'll have to go out and put a few rounds through, found another container with more crates in it from my Uncles estate and there was another 10 boxes of older winchester ranger 12g ammo, I don't know much about shotguns etc, the SKB is stamped FULL/MOD on the barrels, would small game ammunition be suitable to just bust some clays and get used to the shotgun?

[Diamond Jim]

Win Ranger is fine ammunition for field (bunnies etc.) but is probably a bit "stout" for busting clays. Most claybusters use 1oz of 7.5 shot (but anything from No.6 to No.9) which is much nicer if you are shooting several boxes of shells in a session. I believe (please correct me if I'm wrong) that No.6 is the largest shot size some clay sports allow.
Win Ranger will certainly do the job but it may be a larger shot size (e.g. No.4, 5 or BB) which will make it more challenging to break the clays and might not be allowed by your range but if you are shooting in a paddock then disregard all of the above.
Full and Mod are pretty standard field chokes and maybe a little on the tight side for some clay sports but go for it. Learn to shoot your gun and you will have a ball doing so.

[ClaytonT88]

Thanks Jim, yeah keen to go out and have a crack, I bought a couple of boxes of 7.5 to bust some clays as well, just wondering if the extra stuff we found yesterday would be alright. I guess the best way to find out is to go and shoot it ^_^

[Diamond Jim]

My preference, if the clay is going away from you shoot the Mod barrel first, if it's coming toward you then shoot the Mod barrel last.

[ClaytonT88]

Thanks for the tip. The ammo is older winchester super ranger with the black plastic shell, it all looks to be in pretty good nick considering the 22lr ammo in the crate is covered in green fuzz.

The shotgun ammo is a mix of 3 and 4 bb it looks like. Interested to shoot them all and feel the difference.

[ClaytonT88]

Long time no post, but I finally got some free time and got out to put a few shells through this beasty and I'm already in loved, the Ranger ammunition kicks pretty hard (I'm only 70kg and 168cm tall) and the sporting clay shells I got were much nicer, keen to get one of those plastic clay throwers and a box of clays and have some fun over the coming months.

I'm also looking to get a recoil pad fitted as I'm pretty bruised up after 60-70 shells through it.

Also to note was it performed flawlessly, and there's a pretty big different between the top/bottom barrel when it comes to slicing up or obliterating a pumpkin!