Shotgun shell stuck?

Question

A shell got stuck in my single barrel 20 gauge shotgun after i shot it, whats causing this?

The casing was pushed into the barrel after being shot, and didn't move an inch when i opened the gun, had to push it out with a rod.

Answer 1

If you're firing 2.75" shells in a 2.5" chamber, or 3" in a 2.75, this may be the case. This is very hazardous as the chamber pressures may easily exceed what the firearm was originally designed for due to the shot being slowed down as it exits the cartridge. Also, make sure your extractors are catching the rim, and that your hulls have a proper rim on them. Make sure the chamber is clean and free of dirt or debris. Other than that, I can only guess it's something to do with bad hulls, maybe. Push it out with a cleaning rod or dowel and see what you can see in there.

Answer 2

I need more information - did the shotgun extract or eject properly before?

When it did work, did the spent casing pop out of the barrel landing on the ground (ejected) or was it pushed out of the barrel a little bit (extracted).

On Stevens shotguns the ejector has a tab that hits a corner inside the receiver. When the ejector tab breaks, or the corner is worn on the receiver, it fails to eject.

If you have an extractor, its very likely the part is broken.

First try cleaning the barrels. I would not recommend using WD-40 or Rem Oil. The two worst lubricants to use in a firearm. Rem oil gums up after the alchohol evaporates, and WD-40 isn't a good lubricant. I have seen many worn out 742 rifles from people using WD-40.

Try Slip2000, or any other synthetic oil.
www.slip2000.com

Answer 3

As a Gunsmith, I would say that your shotgun extractor is the problem. It could be slipping or the extractor spring is worn. I wouldn't expect it to be from shooting an improper length shotgun shell as most single shot shotguns in 20 gauge take both 2 3/4" and 3" magnum shells. Clean your extractor with some gun cleaning solvent on an old toothbrush..Then give it a shot of Rem Oil or WD40 to lubricate it. That should take care of your sticking shell problem.........

Answer 4

it could be anything from an odd sized or overcharged shell, to a rough spot or tight chamber. Does this happen often? with only one brand of ammunition? we need a little more info in order to give you a better answer. But I'll try with what you gave. First, if it only happens with one type of ammo, avoid that brand. If it happens with different brands, the problem is the chamber, it needs to be polished. these would be the two most common causes.

Answer 5

I have a New England 20ga and it does it from time to time ussually because the shell brass was rusty.

Most of the time, the shell will eject enough to pull it out, but on rare occasion you're forced to cut a stick and push the shell out.

Answer 6

I have an old Steven's side by side that does that from time to time. I just bring a pair of pliers into the field with me, or a leatherman...pull it out. Could be cheap shells. It'll happen every once in a while.

Answer 7

your extractor spring is broken. sounds like an HR Topper or a NEF?
it should pop the mty shell out cleanly with a click when the action is broke open.
gunsmith can fix

Answer 8

Could be cause the barrel is dirty....wrong size shell....or the shell could have been defective...like a lil ding or somthing....

Try cleaning you shotgun....double check th sizing of the ammo (probably the right size but ya never know...could be a manufactures messing up...) then before you load the gun, double check all the ammo you put in it to make sure none of it has any nicks, or dents or anything like that, and make sure all the ammo is clean....a lil dust could make the weapon malfunction...

Answer 9

It could need lubricated or the extractor spring is weak and needs replaced.*

Answer 10

when the fireing pin hits the primer it sometimes pushes the shell a little farther than its supposed to therefor making it hard to remove my 12ga. dose it sometimes