Log In
Members
Home
Add Reply
Add Topic
Offline
Hello members.
I have an 1897 Take-down Black Diamond shotgun that I fully disassembled for a thorough cleaning after I purchased it. The shotgun functions fine except for the fact that the slide release button does not function. The slide locks properly and the action cycles without issue.
The only problem is that when the gun is on half-cock, I cannot cycle the action by pushing the slide release button. I need to lower the hammer in order to cycle the action. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Beginning to see a pattern here. Talking with a neighbor who related that he had taken apart a Savage 99 and Remington M141 that he recently inherited from his grandfather to give them a ‘deep clean’ and neither gun was working properly after he put them back together. Unless there is a glaring problem don’t take 100+ year old guns apart, just wipe them down.
If you can’t convince them, confuse them
kevindpm61 said
Hello members.I have an 1897 Take-down Black Diamond shotgun that I fully disassembled for a thorough cleaning after I purchased it. The shotgun functions fine except for the fact that the slide release button does not function. The slide locks properly and the action cycles without issue.
The only problem is that when the gun is on half-cock, I cannot cycle the action by pushing the slide release button. I need to lower the hammer in order to cycle the action. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Kevin,
That is exactly how the gun was designed to function. The hammer has to be in the “fired” position to unlock & open the action. You did not mention which specific series action it is e.g. “C”, “D”, or “E” series.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert,
My 1897 is a series “C”. There is a little more to the story that I need to add.
The shotgun was having issues with occasional failures to remain locked in battery with the original slide action lock. The slide release button worked with the original slide action lock. I disassembled the action and inspected the internals. All internal components were intact, and I didn’t see any signs of damage.
I purchased a replacement slide action lock and reassembled the gun. Now, the slide remains locked at all times when the gun is pumped. However, the slide release doesn’t work with the replacement slide action lock. It almost seems as though the button isn’t long enough to release the lock.
Sorry for the omitting about the additional info.
Thanks for your help.
Kevin
Kevin,
None of my six “C” series Model 1897 shotguns will unlock and open when the hammer is in the 1/2 cock (safety) position. The hammer must be in the fired or full cock position.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Thanks Bert. I suspect that I might need to do some hand fitting of the new slide action lock in order for the slide release to work. I’m going to sit down with a cup of coffee and online investigation.
kevindpm61 said
Thanks Bert. I suspect that I might need to do some hand fitting of the new slide action lock in order for the slide release to work. I’m going to sit down with a cup of coffee and online investigation.
Let me try this again…
The slide release button is not supposed to allow the release of the slide action lock with the hammer in the 1/2 cock position. It will only allow you to unlock the action when the hammer is in the full-cock position. I sincerely doubt that there is anything that needs “hand fitting” or replacing.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert
I understand what you are saying. I was under the misconception that the slide release worked in full cock and half cock. I realize that it only functions at full cock. Right now, the slide release does not work with my shotgun in battery and in full cock.
kevindpm61 said
BertI understand what you are saying. I was under the misconception that the slide release worked in full cock and half cock. I realize that it only functions at full cock. Right now, the slide release does not work with my shotgun in battery and in full cock.
If it worked before replacing the slide lock, the problem is with the replacement part you installed. I would put the original part back in the gun and check to see if it functions properly (unlocks while in the full cock position).
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Problem solved!
Initial issues with this shotgun included occasional failures of the action to fully lock and a slide release that didn’t work on full cock.
I purchased a replacement slide action lock. This solved the problem with inconsistent locking, but the action slide release plunger still didn’t function with the hammer in full cock. I then purchased a replacement an action slide release plunger. As you can see in the attached photo, the replacement plunger is visibly longer than the one that was in the ’97.
The new plunger was installed and now the shotgun functions 100% as it should. I thought that you might like to know how this project turned out.
Thanks
Kevin
1 Guest(s)
