Remington Spartan problem

[slowworkday]

I picked up a Reminton Spartan 20 gauge o/u a couple months ago. Having a problem. A few times I'm unable to break open the gun after shooting. It hasn't done it when empty or unshot. I wrestle the lever back and forth a few times, then it opens. The guy at the store thinks it just needs breaking in. I took it in when it locked up last time and he basically broke it open over his knee. I've just been shooting trap loads. Could that be the problem? Anyone have any ideas or have encountered this problem before? Thanks.

[gspman]

Look at the primers on the ejected shells after you fire and then finally succeed in breaking it open. If they have "drag" marks in them then the firing pin(s) are not retracting which will cause this problem. Have you been dry firing it with snap caps? Sometimes this will cause this problem if the metal in the snap cap is too hard. I'm thinking this may be the problem because you say it doesn't happen when the gun is empty or unfired.

The guy at the store is full of dump. No break action gun should have to have the opening mechanism broken in like that. They may be a little stiff at first but not to the point where you need to break it open over your knee. He's lucky he didn't damage your gun by doing that.

[slowworkday]

Thanks for the help. That could be the problem. I never dry fired it. I haven't noticed drag marks on the primer though didn't examine it too closely. I never forced it open like the store guy. I may have heard a click when wrestling the lever, then it opened fine otherwise it wouldn't budge. The store guy suggested shooting a box of 3" shells to break it in. I don't agree with him either.

[Valv]

Which brand are your shooting ? I know Federal have problems with some Remingtons, I have a 870 and cannot shoot any of them.

[Borch]

Sounds like your firing pins are sticking. I had the issue with one of my O/U. Take it to a gunsmith and they'll fix you up. If it's still under warranty give remington a call.