Keys keep sliding out

[smylee grouch]

The keys on one of my rifles have always been a little loose but today when shooting the seemed to slide out every shot. Poor workmanship I'm sure and maybe a little dry weather today. They are captured so I don't lose them but what would be the best way to tighten them up? More wood, bow the key, other?

[rich pierce]

I’d remove the barrel, turn it bottom up, and place the key in the loop. Then tap the loop tighter down on the key with a light hammer. Put everything back in the stock and see how things line up and whether your issue is solved. Always be careful that the key end aligns with the opposite key escutcheon.

[smylee grouch]

Thanks for that Rich. Careful light hammer taps key word. 

[davec2]

Smylee,

From an old post of mine..........

Thanks to all of you for the help and advice on fitting up barrel keys.  I am trying all of them, but, in addition, I decided to modify the keys to include a fairly stout friction spring.  I cut a shallow slot in each key, made a leaf spring for each one and then riveted the spring in place using a brass tack as a rivet.  The keys slide in fairly easily but hold very firmly.  Not HC, I expect, but I like things that are self adjusting and won't be as subject to humidity and temperature changes as I have experienced thus far with these keys.  Of course, the stock isn't finished yet, but these seem to be working great so far.

[smylee grouch]

Hi Dave and thanks for the reply. After I saw your picture I remembered that post. This looks like it would work and something I might try. What thickness is that spring?

[Pukka Bundook]

A slight bend usually works.

[davec2]

Smylee,

The spring stock is thin....around 0.010"

[bama]

Lose barrel wedges I think has been a problem for a long time. I have seen a number of originals where the keys have been replace with tight fitting wooden wedges. You could replace the originals with slightly thicker wedges. The other things mentioned will probably work and is a quicker fix, but not as good as having a proper fitting wedge. You could also shim the loop to take up the slack.

[recurve]

Watching this one (I lost a "wedge/key") at froozen toe shoot , ended the shoot with  my pinned  barrel gun
I have the slotted wedges and have now added brads to "Keep" the wedges but are a pain when cleaning

[frogwalking]

  A slight bend usually works 

  easy

[Dennis Daigger]

Smylee,

From an old post of mine..........

Thanks to all of you for the help and advice on fitting up barrel keys.  I am trying all of them, but, in addition, I decided to modify the keys to include a fairly stout friction spring.  I cut a shallow slot in each key, made a leaf spring for each one and then riveted the spring in place using a brass tack as a rivet.  The keys slide in fairly easily but hold very firmly.  Not HC, I expect, but I like things that are self adjusting and won't be as subject to humidity and temperature changes as I have experienced thus far with these keys.  Of course, the stock isn't finished yet, but these seem to be working great so far.

Dave,



Hope you see the humor in this. Like you I love elegant solutions. A whang with a hammer to bend a key requires no imagination or ingenuity. Delay Alzheimer's, use your brain cells.
Dennis

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Remember that it's the barrel tennon that holds the slide/key tightly NOT THE WOOD.  If the key becomes loose, tighten the barrel loop.

[smylee grouch]

Thanks to every one who replied with advice. I know of one other shooter who put a "bow" in the key and dislodged his wedge plate when he pushed the key back in so I will try gently tapping the loop down and proceed with caution. 

[AMartin]

Well Mr. Taylor ,
For the first time in my life I actually disagree with you!
I always make a point when I inlet a barrel key that is friction tight fit with the wood  and  floating in the barrel tennon .

I remember a fair  number of years ago , hanging out at the Getz barrel shop, John stating that he hates barrels keys because guns come back to him , because they don't wanna shoot accurately ..
Because most builders use the barrel tennon as a holding place for the key but the wood don't matter.
So I like to fit the keys tightly in the wood , and make sure the key is floating in the loop . The same way has barrel pins, making sure the pin can float with the wood as it expands and contracts.


And that's all I got to say about that right now!!
Wish we could get together again Taylor, bring your brother along ,you know you know Daryl guy!! too bad Brian left us way too soon ..
Whats Cody been up to ??
Stay well my friend.
Allen

[davec2]

Dennis Daigger.....I love the flow chart !!!  I have heard that before but I like the graphic 

Loop holding the tension on the key - tried that and after several "remove and replace" evolutions the key or the loop wears some and the key gets loose.

Wood holding the tension on the key - wood expands and contracts.  Sometimes the key is stuck tight, sometimes it's loose depending on the humidity and the day.

So, HC or not, I put in the springs.  Self adjusting.  Never lost a key yet and never needed to hammer one out to get the barrel out of the stock.  Perhaps the springs are a solution in search of a non-existent problem ...but I was not talented enough to get the loop / wood / key friction equation just right and just gave up.