arjimlad

The needle on my bottle gauge has fallen off - I had understood it can be replaced easily as it is not under pressure until the bottle valve is opened. I just have to get one with the same thread & use a bit of PTFE tape.

I'd recommend giving your location and mentioning the calibre of this fine gun.

Can I join? I've had this Winchester SX3 since 2016, it's got a 3.5" chamber and reliably cycles anything from 24g upwards as long as it has a 70mm case. It's used for pigeons and clays, and the occasional fowling invitation. I've owned a Beretta AL390, and a 302 with an external choke collar, before this.

I regret getting rid of a San Marco hammergun which looked very similar to this one, nearly 30 years ago. One of the locks needed some work and I could not afford to have it done at the time. It was great fun to shoot, I shot my first driven pheasants with it, and it accompanied me on a lot of pigeon shooting forays as a youngster. This gun too had sideclips and a top extension, and a flat rib. I bought another example a while ago but it was not the same at all. Wishing you much joy of your "new" gun!

My 525 Game was proofed in 2006. It is a 30" MC with walnut stock. For me, it is a keeper and a great all-rounder. It would suit your suggested uses well save that the gape of a OU is not the most practical choice for a pigeon hide, compared with an auto which would be my choice for pigeons and marsh. The 525 action has been very reliable.

Gunmark Merlin boxlock ejector by Vincenzo Bernardelli. 27" 12 bore barrels with 2.75" (70mm) chambers. Weight approx 6.5lbs. LOP 14.5" with two spare butt pads to vary the length & original black buttplate. Articulated front trigger and concealed third bite. Choked 1/4 and 1/2. Fast-handling Good working order, some age related marks, bluing a little worn on the left hand barrel where the hand holds it. Some marks to the chrome plating in the barrels but no pitting. Oil finished straight hand stock. £95 Winterbourne, BS36 South Glos.

@Mice! great work - well done going out in such awful conditions!

Lovely gun, the squirrels await !

Possibly a local gunsmith could have got them from GMK without incurring the high postage charge, but I'm very happy with the service. I now need to engage my local gunsmith to get the fore-end off so that the new parts can be fitted!

OMPS2 order was placed on Sunday, and I received the parts today. Only a forend rod and spring, and they were not delayed in customs.

This is all very timely for me as the forend latch rod and spring flew off my 626 sometime on Saturday and I need to order more. OMPS2 seem to have the parts I need - just under 9 euros but 28 euros delivery!

Loved this. Looking forward to the end of the game season so I can hit the woods for the squirrels!

@BobbyH Mr Crowther. We're very impressed. He seems totally confident in diagnosis and getting it fixed.

My OU .410 Yildiz is a delightful light little gun which demands precision but is quite capable of clays if I aim it straight. My wife had a shoulder injury last November which resulted in a vertical crack in her humerus, where the rotator cuff muscles attach. This was missed on the x-rays and it was only when she had an MRI scan 3 months later that it showed up. She's had the steroid injection after about 3-4 months after the injury, which has not worked and she is now awaiting an operation to file down a bony spur on her collarbone which is catching a tendon & causing pain/weakness. The treatment she had seems to be to leave it 6 months (with physio and painkillers) to see if it heals naturally and only then do you get onto the waiting list for surgery. The price of two expensive family holidays to get it fixed privately... nobody can tell us when the NHS will come up with an operation date though so we are in a dilemma. In the meantime she is on paracetamol all day and hot water bottle in the evening. I really hope your wife can get her shoulder sorted out, the specialist in Bristol seems to be quite certain he can fix my wife's shoulder.

Thanks @Fargo think I'll buy new with warranty etc. GLWTS