Damn gun won't open, help needed

[Die Judicii]

Hi,

I have a Savage Model 24 U/O Combination (12g / .223)

Bought 2nd hand in Excellent condition, and appears to have done very little work.

I put a red dot sight on it and sighted it in. It worked flawlessly.

However a friend asked to look at it yesterday, and when I got it out of the safe, I couldn't open (break) it.

Have tried and tried, but the dam thing wont open.

Has anyone got any suggestions ?

I even said "open sesame", but it still wont cooperate.

Cheers

[Chronos]

It won't open or you don't know how to open it,

Is it possible there's some grit or crud jamming the release?

Is it an old savage with a conventional top side release like a shotgun or the newer one with the release in front of the trigger guard?

Chronos

[Die Judicii]

Hi Chronos,

It must be an older model, because it has the conventional shotgun type release on top.

I do know how it opens, because it worked perfectly while I sighted it in.

But now for some reason it refuses to open.

The gun is really clean, and like I said beforehand, it appears to have done very little work.

Cheers

[Westy]

Look and see if the Safety is on!

On some of these older models they won't action if the safety is engaged?

Just a Thought

[Chronos]

I'd be going straight to the brains trust at http://www.savage24.com

There's a link on the FAQ page where you can email the admin with questions rather than post in the forum

Good luck with it

Chronos

[bigfellascott]

Is it cocked?

[Die Judicii]

Is it cocked?

Thanks, But no mate, it's not cocked.

[combo12]

That top lever operates a cam that dis-engages the locking arrangement, if that makes any sense?

I don't know the proper names for shotgun bits and piece but I have a Savage M24 and the screw that holds the cam to the bottom of the lever came adrift. I put a drop of loktite on the screw, cramped it up tight and all good. Bit fiddly to do but can be done at home.

Suggest you remove the butt stock first up (take off butt plate - then you need mega screwdriver) and that will give you access to see what is going on.

[Gregg]

It must be an older model, because it has the conventional shotgun type release on top.

I do know how it opens, because it worked perfectly while I sighted it in.

How many shots did you put through sighting it? How many times opening/closing it?

Any sign of when things started to come undone? Sticky to unlock at any point or suddenly bam, locked solid?

[Die Judicii]

It must be an older model, because it has the conventional shotgun type release on top.

I do know how it opens, because it worked perfectly while I sighted it in.

How many shots did you put through sighting it? How many times opening/closing it?

Any sign of when things started to come undone? Sticky to unlock at any point or suddenly bam, locked solid?

It was a bit stiff the very first time I opened it, but then it operated smoothly (like my Miroku) and I reckon I fired 10 or 15 shots starting on the board at 50 metres and working up till I had it zeroed at 170 metres.

Then I cleaned it and put it in the safe.

When I got it out the other day to show my mate, it refused to open.

No sign whatsoever of anything going wrong,,, so yeah, it was suddenly bam locked.

Cheers,

[Die Judicii]

That top lever operates a cam that dis-engages the locking arrangement, if that makes any sense?

I don't know the proper names for shotgun bits and piece but I have a Savage M24 and the screw that holds the cam to the bottom of the lever came adrift. I put a drop of loktite on the screw, cramped it up tight and all good. Bit fiddly to do but can be done at home.

Suggest you remove the butt stock first up (take off butt plate - then you need mega screwdriver) and that will give you access to see what is going on.

Hi Combo12,

Thanks heaps for that info/suggestion, I'll give that a go maybe tomorrow night.

Will send you a big cheer if it works.

[Gregg]

What's the outcome mate?

[Die Judicii]

What's the outcome mate?

Hi,

The outcome?

I removed the stock, and gained access to the Lever, Cam, Springs, and associated release lever.

Nothing loose, unattached, or obviously broken.

When trying to operate the Top opening/release lever it can be observed that the cam and springs and the follow on lever to the main release locking lug are all trying to work. ie: everything moves a tiny amount in the right direction, but still refuses to open.

It's obviously jammed in the last locking lug area, but that is hidden away internally, and I cant see in.

It's definitely going to a gun smith tomorrow.

[Gregg]

Outcome = I meant how did you go with it.

Not great though obviously, so good luck at the gunsmith tomorrow.

[combo12]

Sorry to hear that. At least you saw how they are supposed to work. Best not to force it! Keep us posted on how you go with the gunsmith.

[Die Judicii]

Hi to all,

I am pleased to say it is now back in the safe, and functioning as it should.

Turned out to have a bit of (something) floating and then jammed that was preventing the firing pin on the 12 g to withdraw fully into its hole/tunnel.

Hard to believe that such a tiny little thing was able to lock it up the way it did.

Thanks to all and sundry who offered possible solutions.

Cheers

[Chronos]

Good to hear you got it sorted mate, nothing worse than having one of your guns out of action.

When you first said about it not opening the first thing that came to mind was some grit or wood shavings jamming the release. I've heard of it before and when I bought my shotgun the first thing I did was remove the stock and clean about a half of a teaspoon of dust from it. No way on knowing where that would have ended up

Now go shoot it over the weekend so it knows it's loved

Chronos

[jordy]

Turned out to have a bit of (something) floating and then jammed that was preventing the firing pin on the 12 g to withdraw fully into its hole/tunnel.

At least you didn't force anything and break the pin or something.

Good stuff.

[combo12]

Ended ok! Just out of interest, what make/model of red dot sight did you put on your combo? Are you happy with it?

[Die Judicii]

Ended ok! Just out of interest, what make/model of red dot sight did you put on your combo? Are you happy with it?

Hey there combo,

I put a Bushnell TRS 25 on it.

It was left over after fitting a new scope on another rifle.

Not sure how well it really performs as I havnt blooded it yet.

I missed a perfect opportunity tonight though, just before dark.

I shot a fox with the 22/250 earlier this afternoon and jumped on the quad to take it away and dispose of it just before dark.

Didn't think to put a rifle or shottie on the quad, and when I got into a block of timber in one of the paddocks, 5 pigs trotted across in front.

A large boar, a sow, and three little uns

Damm it, that's the second time I've been caught out without a rifle.

Wont happen again though.

I've also got an Aimpoint Micro H1 on the .308 pumpie, and that is fantastic.

[Bourt]

I missed a perfect opportunity tonight though, just before dark.

There's always tomorrow night

[Oldbloke]

My brother inlaw had a savage 20gx22mag yrs ago. Bugger sold it after I told him I wanted it. Have never forgiven him for that. Would make a great camp gun.

[Oldbloke]

Yeah I'm prpretty happy. Its a bit rough on the bluing but the bores are mint, the wood is in ok nick although it's been refinished poorly and best of all I'm getting it for trading some old reloading suplies and a set of dies I will probably never use.

[Redwood]

Its a bit rough on the bluing but the bores are mint, the wood is in ok nick

Well that's the important bit

[COLLECTOR 1]

Hi there, Ive got one of these Savage combo's, mine is in 222/20g....and I had this happen once.

If the extractor has not been pushed fully in on closing, it catches of the edge of the block that the barrels are attached to. When you go to open the gun again it stops the opening of the action, its something to do with the camming of the extractor on opening and closing.

I know this sounds strange, get a pillow or cushion, and with gentle force bump the muzzle end into the pillow, then do it with the butt end of the gun.

See if that works., did for me

COLLECTOR 1

[Wobble]

Carrying a pillow around hunting must get old?

[gunnerjacky]

That's why I oil my guns every month or after heavy usage.

[bigfellascott]

Happy hunting mate.

[huccl]

That's why I oil my guns every month or after heavy usage.

You've had the same thing happen?

[Die Judicii]

My brother inlaw had a savage 20gx22mag yrs ago. Bugger sold it after I told him I wanted it. Have never forgiven him for that. Would make a great camp gun.

Hey Ol Fella,
Mine has never missed a beat since the 1st issue that I started this thread about.
Being 12g/.223 it is a bloody good choice of combo,,,,,,,

Will keep you in mind if I ever decide to sell it.