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Side by side locking block replacement


Rock_n_Roll_Outlaw
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Hi all, I have an AYA matador boxlock and the top lever sits to the left of centre. I've been told by a gunsmith that the horizontal locking block needs to be replaced. The barrels are tight to the action with the forend off and it shoots fine. So I purchased a new locking bolt from ASI for a few quid. Question is to anyone with smithing experience out there, are these a simple old one out new one in type job or do they require proper "fitting" that may be outside my skill set? 

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They require fitting, yes, which is one of the least difficult jobs as all the surfaces to be filed are square. That's assuming you can file square! Get the sides correct so the bolt slides in the action and then attend to the part that engages the slot in your barrel lumps. For that you'll need either a smoky candle. Or smoke lamp. A smoke lamp is better as it doesn't burn down like a candle you just refill the oil. Essentially you keep opening and closing the breech and remove the parts that you've smoked with soot with your file.

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On 10/02/2023 at 17:00, enfieldspares said:

They require fitting, yes, which is one of the least difficult jobs as all the surfaces to be filed are square. That's assuming you can file square! Get the sides correct so the bolt slides in the action and then attend to the part that engages the slot in your barrel lumps. For that you'll need either a smoky candle. Or smoke lamp. A smoke lamp is better as it doesn't burn down like a candle you just refill the oil. Essentially you keep opening and closing the breech and remove the parts that you've smoked with soot with your file.

 

On 10/02/2023 at 16:53, Rock_n_Roll_Outlaw said:

Hi all, I have an AYA matador boxlock and the top lever sits to the left of centre. I've been told by a gunsmith that the horizontal locking block needs to be replaced. The barrels are tight to the action with the forend off and it shoots fine. So I purchased a new locking bolt from ASI for a few quid. Question is to anyone with smithing experience out there, are these a simple old one out new one in type job or do they require proper "fitting" that may be outside my skill set? 

OK lets look at the problem . The lever coming past centre is not always a symptom of  a worn bolt . It could be ware on the spindle so it does not " stop " as it should ,it could also be ware in the action to the same effect .This is more likely in my opinion as the  spindle is fitted in such a way that it should be virtually impossible for the lever to come past centre no matter how worn the bolt/bite is . This needs to be checked and corrected first before thinking of a new bolt 

AyA's although great guns generally in my opinion ,but  have tended to cut their bites quite wide with little relief on the bolt so i its often the bite that needs welding up and the existing bolt lead deepened. Thats if the bites are worn .

If a  new bolt is needed it , will need to be fitted and adjusted so it does not foul the lumps both for length and the sides  , then hardened and tempered . 

It would also be wise to check the gap between the barrels and the flats  to see there is a clearance .

Not quite as simple as it might seem and I'm surprised you advising gunsmith did not point this out to you , suggest alternates as well as advise you to look at all the possible causes first .

 

 

Edited by Gunman
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On 11/02/2023 at 19:32, Gunman said:

 

OK lets look at the problem . The lever coming past centre is not always a symptom of  a worn bolt . It could be ware on the spindle so it does not " stop " as it should ,it could also be ware in the action to the same effect .This is more likely in my opinion as the  spindle is fitted in such a way that it should be virtually impossible for the lever to come past centre no matter how worn the bolt/bite is . This needs to be checked and corrected first before thinking of a new bolt 

AyA's although great guns generally in my opinion ,but  have tended to cut their bites quite wide with little relief on the bolt so i its often the bite that needs welding up and the existing bolt lead deepened. Thats if the bites are worn .

If a  new bolt is needed it , will need to be fitted and adjusted so it does not foul the lumps both for length and the sides  , then hardened and tempered . 

It would also be wise to check the gap between the barrels and the flats  to see there is a clearance .

Not quite as simple as it might seem and I'm surprised you advising gunsmith did not point this out to you , suggest alternates as well as advise you to look at all the possible causes first .

 

 

Thanks for the explanation, but I managed to disassemble the action only so far and got stuck, could not remove the top lever leaf spring. So I put the bits in a box and reluctantly took it to a gunsmith anyway, I'm sure they'll sort it out! 

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