Brownells - Jack Rowe, Master Gunsmith Series, Ejector Not Working

Published on March 25, 2010
Duration: 4:05

This video addresses a common shotgun issue where a loose forend prevents the ejector from functioning correctly. The root cause is identified as a cracked solder joint around the barrel loop, leading to a forward shift and a gap. The speaker explains how this affects the ejector mechanism, specifically mentioning the older Baker system found in Greener guns and contrasting it with the modern, universally adopted Southgate system.

Quick Summary

Shotgun ejector problems are often caused by a loose forend, which results from a cracked solder joint around the barrel loop. This crack allows the loop to move forward, creating a gap that prevents the forend from seating properly and engaging the ejector mechanism. Older shotguns may feature the Baker system, while modern firearms universally use the simpler Southgate system.

Chapters

  1. 00:08Identifying Loose Forend and Ejector Issues
  2. 00:26Cause: Loose Barrel Loop and Cracked Solder
  3. 00:44The Gap and its Effect on Forend Fit
  4. 01:05Forend Looseness Prevents Ejector Function
  5. 01:24Demonstrating Ejector Malfunction
  6. 02:26Fixing the Loose Loop
  7. 02:42The Baker Ejector System Explained
  8. 03:08Baker System in Greener Guns
  9. 03:17Modern Ejector Systems: Southgate
  10. 03:38Simplicity of the Southgate System
  11. 03:51Adjusting the Southgate System

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes a shotgun's ejector to stop working?

A common cause for shotgun ejector failure is a loose forend. This looseness often stems from a cracked solder joint around the barrel loop, which allows the loop to shift forward. This shift prevents the forend from seating correctly, thus not providing the necessary pressure for the ejector mechanism to function.

How does a loose forend affect shotgun ejectors?

The rear of the shotgun forend butts up against the barrel loop. If the barrel loop is loose or has moved forward due to a cracked solder joint, it creates a gap. This gap means the forend doesn't seat fully, and the ejector mechanism doesn't receive enough pressure to operate correctly, leading to ejection failures.

What is the Baker ejector system?

The Baker ejector system is an older mechanism found in many Greener shotguns. While considered a good system, it has become obsolete primarily because replacement parts are expensive when major components break. It was well-suited to the mechanisms of its time but is not used in modern firearms.

What is the current standard ejector system for shotguns?

The current standard and most widely used ejector mechanism in shotguns is the Southgate system. It is renowned for its extreme simplicity and is adopted by gun manufacturers globally, including those in Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Britain, or utilize variations of this design.

More Gunsmithing & DIY Videos You Might Like

More from Brownells, Inc.

View all →