Opening a break-action and catching shells

[high_revs]

Shot the Citori 725 for first time last night (was freezing, crowded and people just kinda moving slow). I was slowly opening the action so that the shells don't eject hard and pop-out from behind me. I try to catch it or pull it so i don't have to clean-up later. It feels like when I'm opening it slowly, I'm twisting it a little from the barrel since my right hand is still pushing the lock lever.

Do y'all just put the stock all the way to your arm pit, squeeze it there to hold it so you free your right hand after it opens slightly and you let go of the lock lever? Once right hand is completely free, cover the back of the barrel in case the empty shells shoot out.

The usuals with break-action make it look to easy. And they shoot fast, i.e. the whole motion is fast. Granted the thing is still new and stiff. But no way I can shoot with only one other person at the same speed I can with the Beretta right now and be in a good cadence/speed.

I had a shell catcher on my Beretta AL391 Teknys Gold hence I"ve been avoiding picking my up shells after the round.

The 725's barrel is only 2" longer than my beretta. Not sure if it's a "i justified the expense and bought a game/score and this is all in the mind" only. But it felt better aiming. I'll have to do back to back shooting with the Citori and Beretta hopefully this weekend.

[ysr_racer]

You're on the right track. Guys that shoot o/u and don't catch their shells, are slobs.

Here's how I do it. After I pull the trigger I drop the gun to my hip, still holding the forearm with my left.

I pinch the buttstock with my right arm, and with my right thumb I push the release lever. Then with my left hand I pull down on the forearm to open the action. With my right hand covering the chambers I catch the shells.

But yes, a new gun can be difficult to open that way.

[M1NM]

I know on a Ruger No1 rifle you can set it to extract or eject the shells. My Weatherby Orion will extract but normally ejects. It a trial and error process of cutting the ejector spring one coil at a time. If you go that route get a new set of springs and cut those so you have the originals to put back in.

[RR.44]

What was the whole point of paying extra for the ejector system just to want to use it like an extractor?

[bapake]

answer

You're on the right track. Guys that shoot o/u and don't catch their shells, are slobs.

Here's how I do it. After I pull the trigger I drop the gun to my hip, still holding the forearm with my left.

I pinch the buttstock with my right arm, and with my right thumb I push the release lever. Then with my left hand I pull down on the forearm to open the action. With my right hand covering the chambers I catch the shells.

But yes, a new gun can be difficult to open that way.

Thanks for answer, there is already a very experienced using guns

[jpscoot_21]

The cowboy action shooting guys have their break-actions slicked up so shells slide out quickly.

[ysr_racer]

What was the whole point of paying extra for the ejector system just to want to use it like an extractor?

So you're not standing ankle deep in empty shells. Ever shot sporting clays at Raahauge's?

Ever stood behind someone that was?

[duckman1]

Let them hit the dirt so you can reload and pick up the 3rd bird........

Just be sure to clean up when you are moving on.

[Tom-ADC]

Piece of cake once the gun gets a few rounds thru it, it will be second nature, few hundred thru it the gun will almost fall open.

[high_revs]

What was the whole point of paying extra for the ejector system just to want to use it like an extractor?

I don't want to have to come back after leaving my shotgun on the stand after shooting, get a bucket and pick up my empty shells. Having the ability to catch my shells from the get-go also gets things moving faster when there are large groups waiting behind you. The sooner it's available, the sooner I can shoot again after the next group, or after the group after them, etc.

ysr_racer,
I can't quite picture how you pinch the buttstock with your right arm but still have the hand free to cover the ejector.

the regulars told me what M1NM wrote though some said they just remove the spring.

Guess I gotta practice more to get into a rhythm.

[ysr_racer]

ysr_racer,
I can't quite picture how you pinch the buttstock with your right arm but still have the hand free to cover the ejector.

I'll see if I can video it. I hold the buttstock against my right hip with my right arm (just above my elbow), leaving my hand free to cover the back of the receiver.

This guy almost gets it at the 1:25 mark https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz8fQTpxHXw

[ysr_racer]

Try this one at the 1:40 mark: http://youtu.be/egBdRMiW0ag

or this one: http://youtu.be/xNOdORzoS-Q

http://youtu.be/ADEVYgouDis

[RR.44]

I must say, now I see your point.

[epic1856]

It is not being a slob, but being considerate of other people why you should catch your shells. Just like when you open your gun and don't want the shells hitting your face, should be the same reason why you don't just eject them and have them shoot straight back.

[olhunter]

You pop them straight up in the air and catch them in your shell pouch without looking. Duh.