12 gauge spent casing ejection issue

[korben88]

I just purchased a Harrington & Richardson "pardner" 12 gauge modified choke.

I gave it a good cleaning, and took it to the range. The first shell fired and ejected fine, the second fired fine but didn't want to eject. I closed the breech and opened it a few times and it finally popped out. the Third shot went bang, but the spent casing got stuck again. After about 5 minuted of trying to get it out, I gave up and took it home. I ended up having to push it out the from the muzzle end with a cleaning rod.

I googled "stuck spent shotgun shell" and found a ton on posts about the 870, and mossy 500 having issues like this, and a lot of advise like "0000 steel wool in the breech" and Brade cylinder hone the breech"
Others said to not Cheap walmart ammo"

The ammo I used was Estate 2 3/4" 8 shot super sport competition target load. It was one of the more inexpensive brands, but I got it from Sportsman's Warehouse.

My question is: Could my issue be the same as the 870 or 500? Should I try to polish the breech, or should I just try some different ammo (is estate a crappy brand?"


Thanks,
Troy

 

[VA27]

Try the better ammo first. I had an 870 that absolutely refused to function with Fiocchi buckshot, which is pretty decent ammo. I had an Ithaca 37 and a Remington 11-48 that wouldn't extract cheap Winchester steel birdshot.

 

[animator]

The ejector on that is basically a piece of bent metal, with a "nub" formed in it. On mine, that "nub" was formed at a upward angle so that when the shell rode over it, it forced the shell down, instead of kicking it out. Slowly cycling the action with a fired shell identified the problem.


To fix it, I just pulled out that ejector piece, and bent it so that the ejector "nub" was pointed more level and inline/downward, so that it kicks the shell out, rather than letting it ride the ejector down on top of the next shell.


The other option is to send it to the manufacturer for repair. Their customer service is very helpful.

 

[korben88]

Thanks for the replies. I'll try some different shells, any suggestions on what to try?

Animator, I'm confused by your post. My shotgun is a single shot break action, so there is no next shell.

 

[animator]

Oh crap. I read as far as H&R pardner and my mind assumed it was the same as my H&R pardner pump... in addition to your comparing the problem to an 870 or 500--both pump-actions...

 

[korben88]

No worries, the 870 and 500 references were more about the posts about ammo issues.

 

[oneounceload]

As for what to try, get a box of Winchester AA target loads or Remington STS - about the best you can get (although I have never had an issue with Estate shells in over 20 years personally)

You can always go the steel wool and oil route - use a cordless drill and a dowel - seems to work for many with similar issues

Good luck