shotgun question?

[my82cam]

i'm trying to fix a winchester defender 12 ga pump(needs reblued-kinda rusty-may need a barrel) the problem is.....the lift gate doesn't lift up when you cycle it, you have to push it up with your finger in order to get a shell to raise to load and also to let the forearm come all the way back to finish cocking it. i took it apart and found that the lever in the back that sticks up(it's attached to the lift gate and a spring) and is pushed back by the bolt going to the back of the action this lever is what flicks the lift gate up. if i push the lever back it doesn't lift the gate but if i press it downward and back it will flick the gate up. the bolt only presses the lever back and not down and back. any ideas? this may not make sense but i explained it the best i could! lol

[Guest jackdm3]

WOW, dude! That's a lot ingest. I have a Win. Defender 1300 7 shot 12 ga pump in great condition. My lift gate stays down when you rack it back. You bring it 1/2" forward and it automatically moves the gate out of the way. Does this happen on yours or does it stay down always without your finger doing the work?

Edit: why do you need another barrel?

Edited February 4, 2010 by jackdm3

[my82cam]

ok, that makes sense that it lifts the lever on the return, but i wonder why the action wont open all the way unless i open the lift gate? not i will have to put it together and see what happens. the barrel is very rusty at the last 6 inches. if i cant sand all the pits and rust off and reblue it i will have to put a new barrel on it.

[Guest jackdm3]

Did you drop the assembly out of the receiver? I looked at mine from all angles without dropping it and couldn't see the part responsible for lifting in a crisp action. Sounds like that part is tired.

If you have to sand it down so much to get the pits out, you may wind up really thinning out the amount of base metal that you have. I would sand all the way to the pits, use a dental-type tool on the divots and reblue it. Just keep it in a drier place next time.

Oh. My cousin's new Mossberg doesn't even have a gate, and it works for him.

[my82cam]

i just got the gun......i'm fixing a gun for another TGO member in payment for fixing his fathers winchester 22(he wants to give it to his son) he gave me this 12 ga. they were both in the same gun sock out in an old barn. they will both keep me busy for a while! the 12ga appears to have very little wear on the mechanical parts inside just kinda gunky. it is getting a good cleaning

[my82cam]

i found the problem, the ejector spring is bent and stoping the bolt! yay, just need a new one now

[Guest jackdm3]

You think you can refinish?

[Guest jackdm3]

Will you have pics of before and after?

[my82cam]

before is already to late, i got a lot of the rust of this morning, but i will definitely do pics when i am done.

[Guest jackdm3]

It's a joyful process to be shared. I always love to see stories of renovation, no matter what the object.

[Guest jackdm3]

You might be able to clean out the pits and fill them with Bondo/metal filler, sand it all flush and blue it. That's a project I would love to have. Don't know if bluing will take to filler. Maybe someone who knows will chime in.

[my82cam]

i don't think bondo would take to blueing, the bondo would probably crack after a few shots. maybe there is another type of filler that would work? it really isn't that bad, i'm using a die grinder with a rough pad and it is working pretty good so far. i have a long way to go before it is smooth again! i hope this shutgun turns out ok, i just ordered the ejector and spring $29 with shipping. not bad!!