Citori Lockup Trouble

dreaming · November 24, 2018, 02:04 PM

I have a Browning Citori XS Skeet, which I guess is a 625, with barrels that won't lock up. With the barrels removed, pushing the top lever to the left freely actuates the locking bolt back and forth, but when the barrels are attached the top lever is prevented from turning back towards center. It is as thought the beveled leading edge of the bolt isn't fitting into the recess of the slot macined into the bottom of the barrel monobloc. I think that is what it is called.

With the stock removed I have carefully examined things and cannot see what is keeping the problem could be. Everything is clean and greased.

Any thoughts other than find a gunsmith.

mete · November 24, 2018, 04:38 PM

In the earlier days of Citori they made a batch that had the wrong dimensions of the locking wedge !! Action opened when fired !

Find a good smith and make it right !

dahermit · November 24, 2018, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreaming

I have a Browning Citori XS Skeet, which I guess is a 625, with barrels that won't lock up. With the barrels removed, pushing the top lever to the left freely actuates the locking bolt back and forth, but when the barrels are attached the top lever is prevented from turning back towards center. It is as thought the beveled leading edge of the bolt isn't fitting into the recess of the slot macined into the bottom of the barrel monobloc. I think that is what it is called.

With the stock removed I have carefully examined things and cannot see what is keeping the problem could be. Everything is clean and greased.

Any thoughts other than find a gunsmith.

Paint the offending surfaces with layout dye, allow to dry and attempt to close the action several times. Then look at where the dye has been scraped off. It should indicate where the surfaces are not mating correctly. I would do that before I spent money on a gunsmith.

mulespurs · November 24, 2018, 09:06 PM

I would inspect the breech assembly with the barrels and forend off.

I would look closely for a lead shot for instance or other particle of corruption smashed in the recesses of the breech. I have seem that in side by sides and see no reason that it would not happen in an overunder.

That inspection with a pick and flashlight might save you a few bucks.
Good luck.

dreaming · November 25, 2018, 01:22 PM

I like dahermit's die suggestion, which is similar to something I was going to try using chalk. I never had to as after removing the receiver and repeatedly and gently wiggling the top lever and probing ever nook and cranny for gunk, it finally worked. It may well be that mulespur wasn't far off with his comment about led shot. When the problem first arose a piece was located at the junction of the leading edge of the locking bold and the receiver. That was quickly removed. Mu guess is a sliver of shot had gotten wedge deeper into the same space and it must of worked its way out as I worked the locking bolt. When it finally cleared I then gave the receiver a thorough cleaning.

**4V50 Gary** · November 26, 2018, 01:36 AM

I'd send it to Browning.

dahermit · November 26, 2018, 02:11 PM

Quote:

I'd send it to Browning.

Gosh...even though he does not have the problem anymore?

Ricklin · November 26, 2018, 03:22 PM

Sounds like you found the issue. I've had similar happen, tho not with a Browning.
If the lockup and operation feel identical to your past experience with the gun?

Shoot it.

jaguarxk120 · November 26, 2018, 07:21 PM

I had the same problem with a Charles Daly, the gun would not lock up.
I found a piece of lint under one of the ejectors holding the barrels slightly open.

dreaming · November 27, 2018, 07:43 PM

I got 4 rounds of skeet in this morning and the gun functioned perfectly. I even managed what for me is a great average.

Ricklin · November 29, 2018, 09:00 AM

Glad to hear it. A single pellet is all it takes to foul up the lockup.

It's a fairly common issue, now you know what to look for next time.

November 24, 2018, 02:04 PM	#1
dreaming Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2016 Posts: 186	Citori Lockup Trouble I have a Browning Citori XS Skeet, which I guess is a 625, with barrels that won't lock up. With the barrels removed, pushing the top lever to the left freely actuates the locking bolt back and forth, but when the barrels are attached the top lever is prevented from turning back towards center. It is as thought the beveled leading edge of the bolt isn't fitting into the recess of the slot macined into the bottom of the barrel monobloc. I think that is what it is called. With the stock removed I have carefully examined things and cannot see what is keeping the problem could be. Everything is clean and greased. Any thoughts other than find a gunsmith.

November 24, 2018, 04:38 PM	#2
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	In the earlier days of Citori they made a batch that had the wrong dimensions of the locking wedge !! Action opened when fired ! Find a good smith and make it right ! __________________ And Watson , bring your revolver !

November 24, 2018, 09:06 PM	#4
mulespurs Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2012 Posts: 115	Just my thought I would inspect the breech assembly with the barrels and forend off. I would look closely for a lead shot for instance or other particle of corruption smashed in the recesses of the breech. I have seem that in side by sides and see no reason that it would not happen in an overunder. That inspection with a pick and flashlight might save you a few bucks. Good luck.

November 26, 2018, 01:36 AM	#6
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,831	I'd send it to Browning. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

November 26, 2018, 03:22 PM	#8
Ricklin Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Location: SW Washington state Posts: 2,011	Sure sounds resolved Sounds like you found the issue. I've had similar happen, tho not with a Browning. If the lockup and operation feel identical to your past experience with the gun? Shoot it. __________________ ricklin Freedom is not free

November 25, 2018, 01:22 PM	#5
dreaming Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2016 Posts: 186	I like dahermit's die suggestion, which is similar to something I was going to try using chalk. I never had to as after removing the receiver and repeatedly and gently wiggling the top lever and probing ever nook and cranny for gunk, it finally worked. It may well be that mulespur wasn't far off with his comment about led shot. When the problem first arose a piece was located at the junction of the leading edge of the locking bold and the receiver. That was quickly removed. Mu guess is a sliver of shot had gotten wedge deeper into the same space and it must of worked its way out as I worked the locking bolt. When it finally cleared I then gave the receiver a thorough cleaning.

November 26, 2018, 07:21 PM	#9
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,619	I had the same problem with a Charles Daly, the gun would not lock up. I found a piece of lint under one of the ejectors holding the barrels slightly open.

November 27, 2018, 07:43 PM	#10
dreaming Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2016 Posts: 186	I got 4 rounds of skeet in this morning and the gun functioned perfectly. I even managed what for me is a great average.

November 29, 2018, 09:00 AM	#11
Ricklin Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Location: SW Washington state Posts: 2,011	Yes Glad to hear it. A single pellet is all it takes to foul up the lockup. It's a fairly common issue, now you know what to look for next time. __________________ ricklin Freedom is not free