Pedersoli 10ga. barrel gap.

I was at a local swap meet today and came across a Pedersoli 10ga. This particular piece has removable chokes. While I was looking it over, I noticed about a 1/16" gap at the breech end of the barrels. The barrels were not sitting tight with the tang. I asked the gentleman about it and he showed me that they just needed to be slid back into place. He said there has always been play like that in the barrels. Of course this concerned me. The overall condition was good and looked to be an excellent candidate for a refinish. He used it for ducks in a salt marsh for years so there was surface rust on the barrels but the wood was sound without cracks or checks. I was able to slide the wedge key out and remove the barrels. There was nothing obvious except for the wedge key seemed a little bowed. Is the wedge key the issue? The price was more than fair but I don't want a can of worms. Has anyone else experienced this type of barrel movement in their SXS Pedersolis?

The barrels should not have a gap as you describe.

harleysboss said:

While I was looking it over, I noticed about a 1/16" gap at the breech end of the barrels.

Click to expand...

Seems more than excessive. A few thousands that you can just see light through if you look carefully would be about max. A 1/16” gap would be a hard pass.

I was shocked that the owner was able to slide it back tight to the lock or tang face. I know this is not correct. I've never seen anything like it. I should have taken a picture. You could push the barrels forward and back approx. 1/16th inch. It was excessive. I did pass but took the guys phone number just in case.

Probably some eejit opened the tennon in wrong direction.
Should be an easy fix.
Either the tennon needs building up nearest the breech or the key on the same side.. maybe flip it over.

Sounded fixable...

I'd look up a gun Smith and see what it Would cost to fix if the price was good.

Other than maintaining I try not to get into working on fixing...

People do drop there modern guns off at the store to be cleaned, i was surprised but understand why lol ...

I can clean them or mount a scope but past that I try not to

It is very fixable. A new key, or even a flip is likely to do it, although you may well have to file the key a bit, but not too much. It's not the same kind of issue that it would be on a break open action.

There is excessive wear in two places - one is at the hooked breach and the other is at the wedge slot. The hooked breach pulls the barrels into the tang and the wedge and slot keeps it there. Is it fixable - yes - would I buy it - that would depend on the price.