Shell Feed Problem

[TESCH]

Hello Members,

I'm new to this forum and could use a little advise on what to do with my shotgun. I have a Beretta 391 Urika. The problem I'm having with this gun is that the feed and action are jamming. When there is no shell in the feeder the shotgun does not jam. In the beginning I would be able to slide the action home and seat the shell into the chamber, now I have to remove the shell and continually pull the extractor pin until the action slides all the way shut. Does anyone have an idea of what I'm talking about?

 

[TrapperReady]

Does it happen every time, and with a variety of ammo? Also, have you done a very thorough cleaning recently?

 

[TESCH]

Beretta Malfunction

Thanks for responding. It happens with a variety of ammunition. I have cleaned that shotgun well a few times. The gun works well after I clean it but only for about 10 rounds or it seems when the oil dries out. I hunt waterfowl in a very dry climate (Salton Sea). I have even Cleaned the recoil spring in the butt of the shotgun with dry solvent only to realize that the spring might be too dry.

 

[riverdog]

There's cleaning and then there's really cleaning. I was fortunate to find a rifle once which the previous owner apparently didn't know how to properly clean the barrel. It had really bad copper fouling which was mis-ID'd as throat erosion. So I bought this Pre-64 Winchester and cleaned it. The barrel was just fine under all that copper.

 

[TrapperReady]

The oil shouldn't "dry out". Although that does beg another question... how much are you lubricating it, and with what? I've got a Beretta 391 Urika Sporting that has been used and abused. Here's how I clean it:

1) Make sure gun is empty.
2) Disassemble (field strip only) per the manual. Leave trigger group in place.
3) Clean chamber with a Scotch-Brite pad around a 20ga brush.
4) Soak the gas piston in a small bottle of Hoppes #9. Shake occasionally.
5) Wipe down bolt and carrier with Hoppes #9.
6) Wipe down inside of receiver with Hoppes #9.
7) Wipe off all of the gas-assembly bits with (you guessed it) Hoppes #9.
8) Remove the gas piston from the Hoppes and wipe it dry.
9) Go through any small spaces with a cotton swab and Hoppes #9.
10) Run a couple solvent-soaked patches through the bore. Follow with a dry one.
11) Dry all parts as much as possible with 12ga cleaning patches and/or cotton towels.
12) Reassemble.** See below for lubrication instructions.

I run most of my gun dry. The two notable exceptions are the gas piston, which I coat liberally with FP-10. I also put some Miltec grease inside the end-cap to coat the threads.

If you do this and are still having problems with a variety of ammo, then something may be wrong and it wouldn't hurt to have a smith take a look. It may be that a shell latch is buggered.

On last thought... make sure that the magazine cut-off isn't engaged. Also, I'd be interested to know if it worked fine for a while and is just acting up now, or if it's been doing this from the 'git go.

 

[TESCH]

shotgun malfunction

It was working perfectly until after opening day this past duck season. Usually when I clean my gun I remove the trigger assembly though. I have a feeling that when I removed the trigger assembly I might have messed something up. But, you're probably right, I should take it to a gun smith.