Hey Guys,
I've got a Versamax that was 3-gun modified by a smith, he allegedly called Remington and they said two springs control the stiffness of the lifter gate. They said he could remove one of the two, without any negative effects, unless I was trying to cycle 3 1/2" turkey loads or something.
It's probably 800-1000 rounds old (mostly bird), and has suddenly developed an issue cycling slugs. The old shell ejects, the bolt cycles, but instead of feeding the new slug into the chamber, it leaves it sitting on the lifter gate, and goes to battery on empty. If I manually cycle it, it will pick it up right away. Probably... 1 out of every 7 or 8 has this issue.
I have not tried any buck, and it has not had any trouble with bird. It's the same with two different kinds of Federal slugs, I haven't tried anything else.
My question is, do you reckon that it has something to do with the weight of the slug and it missing that second spring (how much more can a slug possibly weigh?)? I can probably just put the spring back easily enough, if I can find it. I'm only guessing it's the lifter gate, please set me straight if I'm just talking out ma butt.
If it sounds like something more complicated, it's going to have to go to a pro (I'm "that guy" who can insta-break a gun just by looking at it.).
So tell me what you think, I'd be much obliged! :-) :-) :-)
Lorna