Why are there holes in my receiver?

[October]

I have a Browning BSS (SxS) that has 3 holes drilled around each hole for the firing pin. Anyone know what the holes are for?

 

[Oldnamvet]

Is that a screw-in bushing around the firing pin and the holes are for a special wrench to turn them out??

 

[October]

That must be it. I never noticed the bushing around the firing pin. Thanks, Oldnamvert.

 

[SDC]

As above; the firing-pin holes on most shotguns are prone to wearing out in an oblong pattern, so they "bushed" that area with some threaded-in inserts of harder metal, to both PREVENT that wear, and to make them replaceable if they ever DO wear. Since they need some way to get those bushings in and out, the 3 little holes match the wrench they use.

 

[oletymer]

You can get the wrench from Brownells. I have one but have not used it in the last 30 years.

 

[clang]

I was under the impression that they were used to access the firing pins if they ever need to be replaced.

I had a Spanish Double that broke a firing pin and removing the plug made it very easy to replace it.