Remington Sportsman (Model 11) Link Issue

[Hodders79]

Hello everyone,

I am new to the forum and am hoping that I can find some advise regarding my Remington Sportsman issue.

I was lucky enough to recently purchase a 12 Gauge 1938 Sportman (Serial S500363). Unbeknownst to me the shotgun has a peculiar issue which I shall attempt to explain.

Without the barrel and forend attached I can place the gun into battery and pull the trigger and click, the hammer releases as expected. However, with the barrel and forend attached, the trigger does not operate. I have deduced that this is because the link is not engaging the safety sear. I suspect that this may be due to the locking block not fully engaging the barrel extension aperture, and hence the link is not moving fully forwards. For reference the barrel is marked with XU which I think dates it earlier than the rest of the shotgun (1927?).

I apologize if my description of the issue isn't the most accurate. Hopefully, someone may have encountered a similar issue and can offer a way to fix the problem.

[Mainspring]

The issue is the hammer will not release when the trigger is pulled.

Is the front edge of the barrel extension flush with the front of the receiver? If it is below flush lockup might not be happening.
Will the breech bolt and locking block assembly go into full lockup with the barrel when it is removed from the receiver?

[Hodders79]

Thanks for replying Mainspring. I've taken the following pictures which will hopefully answer the questions you asked. I've also taken one of the link along with the safety sear. I'd love to get the gun functioning the way it should.

[Mainspring]

The barrel to receiver fit looks better than I expected.

The Locking Block Latch is not in place, I'm assuming you have removed it for pics and that it's not missing...right?

Check the lugs on the Locking Block, make sure they are there and not broken off, there may be one or two lugs.
Check the Breech Block where those lug/s fit into, make sure the Breech Block is not broken in that area.

A damaged or altered Sear may prevent the Safety Sear from releasing.

On these old guns many parts may have replaced, some parts are meant to be used with specific other parts, from the same generation so to speak.

[Hodders79]

That's correct, I removed the Locking Block Latch for the pictures. The latch and spring appear to be in good condition. I've taken pictures of the Locking Block removed from the Bolt. I am thinking that I may order a replacement safety sear and another link to test. I feel like the Locking Block isn't sitting in the barrel aperture as fully as it should be?

[Mainspring]

The Locking Block seems to be moving upwards far enough.

Make sure the Action Spring Follower is moving forward far enough, that there is no gunk or crud stopping the follower too soon.

Three tests-
1) Put black marker on the contact surfaces of both the Safety Sear and Link, cycle the action several times then check for contact between these two parts.
2) Unscrew the mag cap a bit, let the barrel extension move forward past the edge of the receiver, see if the hammer releases when the trigger is pulled.
3) Try the black marker again with the mag cap loosened. #2 and #3 can be done at the same time.

~ The Op Handle should not touch the barrel extension when the action is closed.

~~ Side note- If there is supposed to be a buffer in the back of the receiver make sure it is in place before firing live ammo.

[Hodders79]

Your advice isn't lost on me Mainspring, I just haven't had a chance to get around to your most recent offering, which I apologize for and will give you an update as soon as I can. I appreciate you offering assistance to my guns issue. I think I realized that my Sportsman is actually a 1931 version, which places it closer to the barrel date of 1927. Again, the serial on the receiver is S500,363. I have a replacement Link and Safety Sear on the way, so.... the saga continues. Thank you once again!