Sears Model 20 slide release

[EvilBetty]

I inherited my first shotgun from my dad this last weekend. He found it at his dad's house when he died last summer. Having a hoard of shotguns himself he passed it along.

It's a Sears Model 20. Looks to be in really good shape. We fired a few rounds through it and I noticed that I could not cycle the pump until I pressed the slide release after every shot. Thinking it was just probably gunked up I took it home to clean it.

After putting it together it still wouldn't release after the trigger was pulled. Looking inside I can see the release lever pop up ever so slightly but not enough to clear the slide. Pressing it gives it that little bit more it needs to allow it to operate.

Any thoughts on what I should check?

 

[kozak6]

I don't know. But for replacement parts (if you can find any?), the Sears Model 20 is a relabeled High Standard 200.

 

[RugerMcMarlin]

I had one doing the same thing, well it was a friends, never did figure it out. With it unloaded, pull trigger, then pull slightly forward on fore end. What does the slide release button do? And does it still do it with high brass shells?

 

[mnrivrat]

The action lock lever has a front and rear spring system. When the hammer travels foward it is suppose to connect to the front spring and pull the front of the lever down to release the lock.

You likely have a damaged spring.

 

[EvilBetty]

In the cocked position the slide release lever is in the up position as it should be.




In the fired position the slide release lever is sticking up too high for the slide to clear it.




This is with the slide release button pressed fully.




Here's the parts diagram of the trigger group.




Looking at the diagram, which spring are we talking about being worn? #5?

This looks like a fun group of parts to keep track of on disassembly!

Thanks guys!

 

[mnrivrat]

I do believe it is number 5 . You should see some sort of protrustion on the hammer or link that bears against that spring. When the hammer is full forward it should pull the nose of the bolt release all the way down to the position you noted when pushing the slide release manualy.

 

[EvilBetty]

Thanks a lot, I'll get that spring ordered and give it a go

 

[RugerMcMarlin]

Zzzzz Lever 41, check pivot pin.

 

[EvilBetty]

It was the forward spring. After I had it all broke down I was finally able to see how it worked.

The hammer, like mentioned above, has a pin on it that rides between the slide release lever and the slide release lever forward spring. When the hammer is forward that pin should push down on the forward spring and pull the slide release lever down.

On mine the spring was tweaked a bit. For now I just bent it back up just slightly, and cleaned and lubed everything while I had it apart. I will probably replace it when I order parts for another gun.

Working like new now though.

Thanks!

 

[RugerMcMarlin]

It will probably run just fine like that for another 50 years