What do you do with a damaged firearm?

2018-09-02T22:45:39-04:00

So I have a 12ga Savage Springfield from the 1950's and I loaded it with a target load shell. When I pumped the action the shell went into the chamber and as it almost closed the shell discharged without my finger on the trigger. A portion of the metal in front of the trigger guard is damaged, but the action still seems to function properly. Of course I don't trust it to place another shell in it. So what would you do with it?

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Sep 2 at 2018 10:52 PM

2018-09-02T22:52:39-04:00

Take it to one of the local gun shops. Some of them have gunsmiths that could probably use it for parts. They may give you $$ in exchange.

Response by TSgt Larry Johnson made Sep 2 at 2018 10:54 PM

2018-09-02T22:54:06-04:00

I would take it to a gunsmith so that they can check to make sure that you did not over-stress the metal in the receiver. I would definitely do that before I ever tried to fire it again. Shotguns do no have as strong an action as rifles do.

Response by TSgt David L. made Sep 2 at 2018 11:04 PM

2018-09-02T23:04:16-04:00

Find a good gunsmith and have them look at it. The firing pin is usually held by a firing pin block. It sound like the firing pin is now protruding and will fire out of battery as the shell is being loaded every time. Some of those were a poor design and get worse with age.

Response by SPC Gary Welch made Sep 3 at 2018 12:07 AM

2018-09-03T00:07:15-04:00

Agree with everybody take it to a gunsmith something like that needs to be checked out I would hate to see you get hurt or worse

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Sep 3 at 2018 5:23 AM

2018-09-03T05:23:56-04:00

Retire it.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2018 10:08 AM

2018-09-03T10:08:55-04:00

The commonality in most of these responses is GunSmith to determine cost effectiveness of repair. How much is the shootability worth to you?