THE GRIFF Posted June 17, 2010 Report Share Posted June 17, 2010 I have just purchased an Investarm 20g hushpower shotgun. Its my first shotgun as I have just got my licence. I picked it up and went straight to the farm to have a go of it. As I pulled up in the car i could see a crow in the tree just front of me, I loaded the gun and shot it first shot, as I walked round I shot another 4 all within about 15 minutes. As i went to shoot the 6th shot it wouldn't fire, so I checked the cartridges in the gun and they were both emty, I just presumed I had counted my shots wrong. As I took my next shot I got a strong kick off it, I then realised what was happening, the gun is firing both barrels at the same time. I am gutted because I was really enjoying myself and really liked the gun, this happening just spoilt it for me and I have now lost all confidence in it. I phoned the shop I bought it from and he told me that it could be over greased from the factory and to fire 50 cartridges through it to see if it settles. Surely there must be some sort of mechanical fault with it, has anyone else experienced this with a new gun? Do you think I'm right in taking in back for an exchange or to get it looked at, or do you think I should try putting some more cartridges through it? I am going to speak to the company that makes them in the morning and see what they say, I will let you know how I get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubby Posted June 18, 2010 Report Share Posted June 18, 2010 it could be user error, are you sure your cocking it correctlyy, pushing the top catch fully to the 3 oclock position, as the gun can be opened by just pushing the catch slightly, but not cocking the firing pins, thus when closing, firing both barrels as the pins are not cocked back correctly, if that makes sense I have the 20g version of this gun, and have done this a couple of times, always after a few perfect shots when rushing to get new carts loaded, you can however feel a slight stiffness when trying to close the action, alerting me to my mistake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSS Posted June 18, 2010 Report Share Posted June 18, 2010 I would take it back and get it sorted, not worth spending money to put 50 odd shots through in hope it will sort itself out! Its obviously a serious problem, and is down to the RFD you bought it from to get it sorted! All the best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted June 18, 2010 Report Share Posted June 18, 2010 (edited) That's bloody irritating but don't worry too much, I'm sure it will be corrected quickly and you'll have years of fun ahead of you. You could always just put a single cartridge in it for now. What carts are you using, are you impressed with its quietness and have you connected with anything you've shot at yet Edited June 18, 2010 by sitsinhedges Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DIVERD Posted June 18, 2010 Report Share Posted June 18, 2010 My new shotgun did this. when i took it back it seems that a preservative wax which is put on during manufacture was not removed and this was causing the problem. In 5 minutes they sprayed it with solvent and tested it in the shop with cpas and it seemed fine. i took it to my ground and it was prefect, it has never given me a seconds problem since and if this is the case with yours, or something equally similar then you will be fine and will have years of enjoyment with it D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE GRIFF Posted June 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2010 I have spoken to them this morning. They were very helpfull and mentioned about pushing the lever fully round, I am going to try this and make sure I was cocking it right. They said to take it to a gunsmith and if need be he can adjust something inside that will sort it out and he can just invoice them for the work. I do feel better now I have spoken to them, the customer service was great and they have said if the worst comes to the worst they will just send me a new gun out, this said its still frustrating when its a new gun. I will let you know how I get on because i really like the the gun, after reading lots of different views and oppinions about it being a drainpipe and shooting low, I can honestly say it feels right for me, its well balanced and I have not missed a bird yet(although I have only shot 5 crows). The loudness is what i was expecting and you don't need ear protection. I shot one crow from a tree and another one in the tree next to it didn't even move until it seen me. I have only shot normal cartridges through it at the moment but it is suppossed to be quieter after 50 shots or so and if you use the hushpower cartridges it will be even quieter. I can't wait to get it sorted and go pigeon shooting out of a hide, but most of all I cant wait to do some bunny bashing, somebody on here said they could use this as there only gun-I now understand why, you can use it for anything(if it works properly). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stubby Posted June 18, 2010 Report Share Posted June 18, 2010 not wanting to start a mass debate here , but what was the point of buying a hushpower, only to use normal carts in it sort of defeats the object in my eyes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apache Posted June 18, 2010 Report Share Posted June 18, 2010 , but what was the point of buying a hushpower, only to use normal carts in it They might be a bit cheaper if he keeps firing both barrels at once AND they are still quieter than normal cartridge in an unmoderated gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted June 18, 2010 Report Share Posted June 18, 2010 not wanting to start a mass debate here , but what was the point of buying a hushpower, only to use normal carts in it :look: sort of defeats the object in my eyes I found the Gamebore Hushpower carts to be very low velocity and very erratic, with my chrono and against my reloads. Maybe there is some anomaly in my testing procedure, but also as well as being very expensive there is a very limited choice. The generous porting on the Hushpower gun barrel tends to lower the velocity by maybe 50FPS as the gases get bled of anyway so I found that as a compromise using a lower velocity standard cartridge which is slightly noisier but not much is a good compromise and can give a much wider choice of shot size and weights. If the speed of sound is 1125FPS and a normal cartridge is 1200 thru a normal gun and so lower thru the Husher you aren't arguing over much. I found Hull 20g 23gram subsonic fibre 7 1/2s as used for coaching clay pigeon shooting to be around 1000fps which is fine but the shot size is a little small for longer range shots. I found the Gamebore Hushpower 30gram 5s to be 800 fps or markedly lower and I actually rang Gamebore regarding this because mine had come from a friend who had just bought a 1000 at about £260, but Gamebore showed no interest in finding out why they appeared to be so low. Because of this I wouldn't trust such an expensive cartridge and the alternative seems to be a logical choice IMO. The Hull subsonic 7 1/2s are a good choice for close to middle ranges at around a fiver a box but because the Hushers tend to be quite tightly choked it doesn't hurt to go up a shot size or two to maintain knock down power at longer ranges without riddling stuff at closer ones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE GRIFF Posted June 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2010 The reason I was using 'normal' cartridges was because the shop I got the gun from did't have any 20g hushpower/subsonic cartridges in stock and I was wanting to try it out as soon as i could, also it says on the instructions it takes 50 to 100 cartridges to dampen the silencer down, so I thought I would just use cheap cartridges to try it out and break it in. As it happens its a good job I did try it out that night because I wouldn't of noticed the problems with it if I hadn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotkam Posted August 30, 2020 Report Share Posted August 30, 2020 The main issue with the 20G Investarm is it being 3/4 and full choke. Decoying where birds are often around 20 yds and as we all know sometimes less than for different reasons, those chokes are way too tight. Much more accurate shooting is required and when bird is centre pattern can be too damaging. I am wondering if it could be bored out to give say 1/4 and 3/4, bearing in mind the muzzles end 7" short of the end of the moderator ? I assume the end cap would need changing or reaming and possibly the lat section of the moderator. I have yet to strip the moderator down to assess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted August 30, 2020 Report Share Posted August 30, 2020 2 hours ago, Shotkam said: The main issue with the 20G Investarm is it being 3/4 and full choke. Decoying where birds are often around 20 yds and as we all know sometimes less than for different reasons, those chokes are way too tight. Much more accurate shooting is required and when bird is centre pattern can be too damaging. I am wondering if it could be bored out to give say 1/4 and 3/4, bearing in mind the muzzles end 7" short of the end of the moderator ? I assume the end cap would need changing or reaming and possibly the lat section of the moderator. I have yet to strip the moderator down to assess. As the thread is over 10 years old he may have it sorted by now, mind you the OP has not been on here for 6 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotkam Posted August 30, 2020 Report Share Posted August 30, 2020 I've recently bought the Investarm 20g OU and no info supplied how to strip down moderator. I assume remove allen screw in bottom of moderator at breech end, grip stock between your feet and unscrew moderator anti - clockwise. Is this correct? Apply gun grease to threads when reassembling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted August 30, 2020 Report Share Posted August 30, 2020 22 minutes ago, Shotkam said: I've recently bought the Investarm 20g OU and no info supplied how to strip down moderator. I assume remove allen screw in bottom of moderator at breech end, grip stock between your feet and unscrew moderator anti - clockwise. Is this correct? Apply gun grease to threads when reassembling. Have not got a clue, never seen or used one, why not ask the suppliers for instructions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotkam Posted August 30, 2020 Report Share Posted August 30, 2020 Closed until Tuesday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultrastu Posted August 30, 2020 Report Share Posted August 30, 2020 Yes the end cap should be able to be reamed out .I was gonna get saddlery and gun room to open up my mossy end cap and fit a 1/4 choke instead of the 3/4 that was in it .John said it was no problem . But I ended up selling the gun for totally different reasons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellors Posted August 30, 2020 Report Share Posted August 30, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, Shotkam said: I've recently bought the Investarm 20g OU and no info supplied how to strip down moderator. I assume remove allen screw in bottom of moderator at breech end, grip stock between your feet and unscrew moderator anti - clockwise. Is this correct? Apply gun grease to threads when reassembling. Why would you want to strip it now if you've just bought it.??. Don't use lyvale express they have a plastic (obturator) behind the fibre was which get shredded as it goes up the barrel. This was from less than 250 cartridges. If your using lead eley CT 24 g will do decoy work nicely. Or steel Kent 24 g 5s nice cartridge. Subsonic I've only used 30g 5s but very rare. Also ask John at saddlery & gun room I'm not sure they all come out 3/4 and full. Best to get it checked first mine is 1/4 and 1/2. Edited August 30, 2020 by mellors Extra info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotkam Posted August 30, 2020 Report Share Posted August 30, 2020 Why strip, fired 250 Express supreme ! I use Eley CT 24, Kent steel 24 and Gamebore 30g 5's. Spoken to Jonathan, the shotgun development man and he says 3/4 and full. He said reason being is any more open and pellets catch on way out Do you know how to dissemble to remove all that pile of shreddings from my OU ? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellors Posted August 30, 2020 Report Share Posted August 30, 2020 25 minutes ago, Shotkam said: Why strip, fired 250 Express supreme ! I use Eley CT 24, Kent steel 24 and Gamebore 30g 5's. Spoken to Jonathan, the shotgun development man and he says 3/4 and full. He said reason being is any more open and pellets catch on way out Do you know how to dissemble to remove all that pile of shreddings from my OU ? Thanks Yes. Remove Philips screw from breach end of the moderator. Unscrew the moderator you may need help there tight and if your lucky it will slide off the support rings on the barrel. If not keep turning and pulling mine is a nightmare. Reassemble and be very sure it's lined up correctly reinsert the locking screw. Good luck. !!!. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotkam Posted August 30, 2020 Report Share Posted August 30, 2020 Ah great - thankyou. Here goes ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellors Posted August 30, 2020 Report Share Posted August 30, 2020 25 minutes ago, mellors said: Yes. Remove Philips screw from breach end of the moderator. Unscrew the moderator you may need help there tight and if your lucky it will slide off the support rings on the barrel. If not keep turning and pulling mine is a nightmare. Reassemble and be very sure it's lined up correctly reinsert the locking screw. Good luck. !!!. Would be interested to see what comes out. I haven't Stripped mine since I've switched to steel it sounds like there's loads of bits in it probably plastic wad bits. 😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotkam Posted August 30, 2020 Report Share Posted August 30, 2020 (edited) Not keen on risking splitting the stock, so will whip the barrels off and hold in the vise in hardwood blocks. Only had it a few weeks so only put about 1000 cartridges throught it so not expecting too much, although I do not not if any of the other brands used have plastic obturators. Never use plastic wads only on pattern plate once. I'll report back. Edited August 30, 2020 by Shotkam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted September 2, 2020 Report Share Posted September 2, 2020 On 30/08/2020 at 13:59, Shotkam said: The main issue with the 20G Investarm is it being 3/4 and full choke. Decoying where birds are often around 20 yds and as we all know sometimes less than for different reasons, those chokes are way too tight. Much more accurate shooting is required and when bird is centre pattern can be too damaging. I am wondering if it could be bored out to give say 1/4 and 3/4, bearing in mind the muzzles end 7" short of the end of the moderator ? I assume the end cap would need changing or reaming and possibly the lat section of the moderator. I have yet to strip the moderator down to assess. In my opinion, those guns are choked just right. I haven't smashed up any close birds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellors Posted September 2, 2020 Report Share Posted September 2, 2020 1 minute ago, motty said: In my opinion, those guns are choked just right. I haven't smashed up any close birds. I'm of the same opinion. My local gunsmith measured barrel bores and chokes for me and the figures were showing 1/4 and half. Mines one of the very early folding conversions. Now we're on steel I'm using it most of the time really useful piece of kit. 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotkam Posted September 2, 2020 Report Share Posted September 2, 2020 Its like the moderator is welded on. Stripped the gun down - breech end in blocks in the vice - 2 of us twisting the moderator anticlockwise viewed from the muzzle end - Also tried oil filter strap wrench with someone twisting also - NO MOVEMENT WHATSOEVER ! Jon at S&G is not in until Thursday, until then I am not keen on any other approach to unscrew. Considered heating the moderator tube at muzzle end, but decided to consult Jon 1st - after all he developed the moderator from scratch. I am thinking 3/4 and full choke as advertised as it throws 95 + % of 20 guage 25g No.5 shot in 30" circle at 35 yards with the lower spread barrel ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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