Requesting input with respect to a very tight 20 gauge CXS and converting the ejectors to extractors.
Here is the background: We recently purchased a new 20 gauge CXS for my wife for sporting clays. She is petite (but in very good shape), so we had an adjustable comb and buttplate installed (after shortening the stock). Love the gun, but it is really hard to open/close (and very well lubed). I'm familiar with new O/Us that are tight and understand that they break in over time. However, this is tight to the point that my wife can only run a box or two of shells through it before she hands it to me to open and close. At the same time, because its such a struggle to open the gun, she doesn't have a free hand to "block" the spent shells when being ejected. Therefore, there's a lot of frustration between trying to open the gun and then having shells ejecting over her shoulder.
So with respect to the ejectors, I've seen the sticky in this group on converting Citori ejectors to extractors. In particular, it seems that swapping the Citori ejector spring with a 1911 firing pin return spring seems ideal. Is there any reason why what is described in the sticky would not work on a new CXS? Also, would the spring change have any effect on reducing the tightness of the gun?
While I appreciate that it will loosen up with use, I only expect my wife to run 2,000 shells or so through the gun annually. Therefore, it may not be practical to wait for it to loosen up since it will just become an unenjoyable experience. I'm aware of a thread where member Ulysses has suggested lightly filing the lug that the forend latches to in order to expedite the loosening process. Considering the expected number of shells to be run through this gun annually, would a little filing really accelerate the end of life on the gun, if at all?
All thoughts and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Here is the background: We recently purchased a new 20 gauge CXS for my wife for sporting clays. She is petite (but in very good shape), so we had an adjustable comb and buttplate installed (after shortening the stock). Love the gun, but it is really hard to open/close (and very well lubed). I'm familiar with new O/Us that are tight and understand that they break in over time. However, this is tight to the point that my wife can only run a box or two of shells through it before she hands it to me to open and close. At the same time, because its such a struggle to open the gun, she doesn't have a free hand to "block" the spent shells when being ejected. Therefore, there's a lot of frustration between trying to open the gun and then having shells ejecting over her shoulder.
So with respect to the ejectors, I've seen the sticky in this group on converting Citori ejectors to extractors. In particular, it seems that swapping the Citori ejector spring with a 1911 firing pin return spring seems ideal. Is there any reason why what is described in the sticky would not work on a new CXS? Also, would the spring change have any effect on reducing the tightness of the gun?
While I appreciate that it will loosen up with use, I only expect my wife to run 2,000 shells or so through the gun annually. Therefore, it may not be practical to wait for it to loosen up since it will just become an unenjoyable experience. I'm aware of a thread where member Ulysses has suggested lightly filing the lug that the forend latches to in order to expedite the loosening process. Considering the expected number of shells to be run through this gun annually, would a little filing really accelerate the end of life on the gun, if at all?
All thoughts and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.