SKB Help Needed – Trigger Won’t Switch to Second Barrel

[KatfishKid]

Looking for some advice from folks who know their way around an SKB.

I’ve got an SKB 400 SxS. Recently the right barrel quit firing, so I had someone look it over and he replaced the trigger and a couple springs. Now it fires the first barrel just fine, but it won’t switch over to the second barrel under recoil. Doesn’t matter which barrel I start with. The only way it’ll transfer is if I smack the buttstock, so the inertia parts do move, they just aren’t moving on their own. The first rounds I tried were Winchester LNLR and thought maybe they just weren't enough to activate the transfer, so I tried some pretty stout Black powder rounds and it made no difference. The barrels still wouldn't transfer. I tried holding the shotgun tighter against my shoulder and I also tried making sure my finger was coming completely off the trigger before trying to fire the second barrel. 

I’m thinking it’s something like the inertia block spring being too tight, or the travel/stop screw(assuming there is such a thing in this gun)not being set correctly after the work was done. I’m comfortable with light gunsmithing, but I’m not very familiar with the internals of this shotgun.

I’m planning to take it back to Dan if the fix ends up being more involved, but before I do that, I’d really like to understand what’s actually causing this and learn how to fix it myself if it’s something simple.

So for anyone who’s tuned SKBs before:

• Which screw or adjustment controls that inertia block movement?

• Does anyone have pictures of the trigger group showing the correct area?

• And what are the risks if I adjust it too far—doubling, light trigger pull, anything like that?

Any guidance or photos would be greatly appreciated.

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

Remove buttstock and separate action from the bbs.

Flush area with carberator cleaner and then lube. See what that does....

[Boggus Deal #64218]

There is no screw that affects the inertia mechanism. Can you fire the second barrel by switching the selector?

[KatfishKid]

6 minutes ago, Boggus Deal #64218 said:

There is no screw that affects the inertia mechanism. Can you fire the second barrel by switching the selector?

If I fire the first barrel, I can open the gun, switch the selector to the other barrel, close the gun and it will fire the selected barrel. Or I can fire the first barrel, Smack the butt of the gun and it will then fire the second barrel. 

[Boggus Deal #64218]

If you fire the gun, leave it closed and switch barrels, will the second fire? You should not have to open the action.

[Johnny Meadows,SASS#28485L]

Your inertial trigger needs to be adjusted to handle lighter loads or the trigger mechanism needs to be converted to a mechanical trigger eliminating the inertial system.

Heavier loads might solve the problem.

[Beartrap SASS#57175]

Send it to Johnny Meadows for a mechanical conversion.

[Crisco]

Our SKB 100 in factory configuration would not transfer to the 2nd barrel with factory WInchester LNLR (or handloaded equivalents), nor a blackpowder load with 45gr FFg under 1-1/8oz shot.  It worked fine with Remington STS or Winchester AA light target ammunition and with a similar shooting BP load ( 75gr FFg/1-1/8oz).

Since it was intended for my wife shooting the light loads mentioned in the first sentence. it now has mechanical triggers done by Johnny Meadows. 

 

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

Assuming nothing else is binding the little spring part #609006 is what controls the interia block swing.  A lighter spring will often fix your problem.

[KatfishKid]

1 hour ago, Boggus Deal #64218 said:

If you fire the gun, leave it closed and switch barrels, will the second fire? You should not have to open the action.

No, it will not fire. I have to switch it, open the action and close it in order for it to fire. 

[KatfishKid]

1 hour ago, Johnny Meadows,SASS#28485L said:

Your inertial trigger needs to be adjusted to handle lighter loads or the trigger mechanism needs to be converted to a mechanical trigger eliminating the inertial system.

Heavier loads might solve the problem.

Sent you a message. 

[Johnny Meadows,SASS#28485L]

Returned your message

 

[SouthwestShooter]

12 hours ago, Beartrap SASS#57175 said:

Send it to Johnny Meadows for a mechanical conversion.

Meadows is possibly the best to fix your problem. 

[KatfishKid]

9 hours ago, SouthwestShooter said:

Meadows is possibly the best to fix your problem. 

I will likely go this route. 

I appreciate all the replies. 

[buffalo chip jed]

I just got a fast Eddie and I love his work you might see if he can do something with it. I also have a persimmon Dan worked skb 200e and it still uses the inertia so if you want to keep the inertia you might let him look at it.   

 

 

Buffalo chip Jed 

[KatfishKid]

2 hours ago, buffalo chip jed said:

I just got a fast Eddie and I love his work you might see if he can do something with it. I also have a persimmon Dan worked skb 200e and it still uses the inertia so if you want to keep the inertia you might let him look at it.   

 

 

Buffalo chip Jed 

I bought the gun from Persimmon Dan and he did the repairs when the right barrel stopped working. He wants to take a look at it now and see what's up. He says he can convert it to mechanical if need be. 

[buffalo chip jed]

13 minutes ago, KatfishKid said:

I bought the gun from Persimmon Dan and he did the repairs when the right barrel stopped working. He wants to take a look at it now and see what's up. He says he can convert it to mechanical if need be. 

I have found he does really good work so I bet he can get it running.  

Good luck and have a nice day  

Buffalo chip jed

[Hoss]

Go mechanical. 

[watab kid]

im not sure where you are but there is a gu=nsmith in spicer mn that works on these - pat laib , well known in the trap shooting world and well respected , if you cant get it fixed he will do it ,