Semiauto Shotgun Problem

Mach Two · 15-03-2026 02:11PM #1

My semiauto is not throwing out the spent cartridge. It has a lot of ammo put through it. Could the piston be dirty? How do I clean it?

GaryKE. · 15-03-2026 02:50PM

Youtube a cleaning guide for your specific semi auto.

Grizzly 45 · 15-03-2026 04:05PM

Start with a good strip down and cleaning first.That usually solves 80% of a semi autos problems.Usually when it's Fail to Eject [FTE],it isn't getting enough gas to fully cycle the action,or your extractor& ejector are so full of gunk that they are slowing down the timing of the shot cycle causing feeding,ejection and/or extraction issues

Mach Two · 15-03-2026 05:31PM

That is what I thought no enough gas pressure to push back the bolt.I have stripped it down and cleaned thinking it would solve the problem. But to my disappointment the same problem. I thought it helped a bit though. Works fine with heavier loads. Presumably there is more punch in them.

That leaves the piston.

Gman2021 · 15-03-2026 11:19PM

have you changed cartridges? Only time I’ve ever had an issue with it not ejecting was when it was using either those low noise shells

Grizzly 45 · 16-03-2026 01:14AM

To make life easier,what brand and model is it?

Mach Two · 16-03-2026 10:29AM

Browning Gold semi auto. Should I soak the piston in something.

Grizzly 45 · 16-03-2026 02:02PM

Google the online manual for the gun for the details.Browning are usually bullet proof guns . The 2000 FIK was the replacement for the old Humpback Auto 5,which was a total dirt eater and just kept working.

It recommends cleaning it with powder solvent,and using a toothbrush to make sure the gas system and esp the piston is clean.That seems to be the main cause of the fails in that model.So give that a clean up and see how you go.

Mach Two · 16-03-2026 02:22PM

That will only clean the easy to reach parts of the piston. What about the internal bits. I don't think I will be getting powder solvent for it. I have 009 solvent here. Presume that will be sufficient.

Grizzly 45 · 16-03-2026 09:12PM

Check out the manual for it and go with they say on cleaning ?

Tobac223 · 19-03-2026 08:59PM

Hi Mach Two , most likely it’s the large coil spring in the piston body. If one of the spring coils break it won’t cycle light loads . A new piston assembly should sort it out .

Mach Two · 20-03-2026 09:18AM

Do I have to open the piston to confirm that.

Tobac223 · 20-03-2026 12:32PM

Hi Mach Two , no need to open it (very difficult to open anyway) looking from the back of the piston you should be able to see the coils , just twist the piston around slowly counter-clockwise & follow the coil with your eyes to see if there is a breakage .

Tobac223 · 20-03-2026 12:37PM

Hi Mach Two , I forgot to ask , is the magazine tube corroded/ covered in carbon ? The older Browning Golds had an aluminum tube that was liable to pitting around the piston.

Newer guns had a stainless steel tube that solved that issue .

Mach Two · 21-03-2026 09:52AM

It has an aluminium tube. Small bit of carbon on it but very little. I always gave it a bit of a clean when cleaning the gun. The large coil spring seems to be ok. Can't see any break in it. Bit or carbon in the piston. But nothing major. Might be worth putting a rag in it. I will clean the tube more. The vent holes in the barrel are clean too.

JP22 · 23-03-2026 12:32AM

Ok, just re-read OP post/all replies.

When you say “not throwing out the spent cartridge”, do you mean not physically ejecting the spent shell

Or

The system is not recoiling enough to even retract the spent shell, both are very different issues.

If the system isn’t recoiling enough fully to the rear then it suggest a spring/gas issue and advice given is correct.

If the system is operating correctly and still failing to eject empty shells, then I would look at the extractors/ejector, lots of crud can accumulate over time.

In a safe area, load the firearm fully, manually recycle the system to see if all live cases are ejected properly, also try loading a spend shell and see if you can manually cycle the system to extract the spend case.

If it won’t properly manually eject live live cartritge cases or spent cases then it’s an extractor/ejector issue.

Just me tuppence worth.

Mach Two · 24-03-2026 12:39PM

I will fire a couple of shots out of it tomorrow. Just to refresh my memory as to what is happening. If I load it with one catridge, fire it, the empty shell ejects and the bolt stays open does that mean there is enough energy to complete the cycle.

Grizzly 45 · 24-03-2026 04:41PM

Put 3 or [whatever if restricted].It should cycle& eject all with no problems after a proper cleaning when fired.

If you want to be belt& braces,fire three mixed loads.IE light clay round followed by a duck or buck shot load and then a game load.

That will really test a SA for function and reliability. If you have a FTF or FTE issue,the varied load will show it up. If it FTF or FTE on just 3 of your std loads then try a different brand,some SA can be ammo and brand picky.If it still acts up,you have a mechanical problem somewhere.Extractor,ejector ,or maybe you need to then change out your piston if it comes down to it.

Tobac223 · 25-03-2026 11:59AM

Hi Mach Two , you mentioned that the coils in the piston looked fine . The next usual culprit is the bolt return spring . That’s the long spring that runs through a tube through the stock , not terribly difficult to access once you get the stock off . If that spring is rusted up/coils broken it can affect the timing of the mechanism and result in a failure to eject .

Mach Two · 25-03-2026 08:45PM

I tried a bunch of 28 grams this morning. They only pulled the spent cartridge out of the chamber half ways. I found some 32 grams this evening so I can try them tomorrow morning. There should be more power in them to cycle the action.

I have taken note of what you have mentioned about the spring in the stock Tobac. The firearm is quite old so that would definitely be worth checking out.

Mach Two · 26-03-2026 11:12PM

Fired a few 32 grams cartridges today. Fired,ejected,cycled and reloaded perfectly. I will have to examine the recoil spring for any issues.

J.R. · 27-03-2026 02:46PM

https://youtu.be/y3-kvmAICtI?si=TIN3hyZlOvUKhOxK

Mach Two · 29-03-2026 12:33AM

Interesting video J.R.. I have cleaned the chamber already but that does not mean that I cleaned it sufficiently. Common enough problem in .22LR rifles. So maybe a thorough cleaning of the chamber will have to be done to eliminate that possible cause.

.243 · 30-03-2026 11:02AM

when you cleaned the barrel,did you look to make sure the gas ports in at the piston were clear of crud,

Mach Two · 30-03-2026 10:10PM

I presume the ports were clear but I will check again. So check the ports, clean the chamber thoroughly and then check the recoil spring for breaks in the spring.

Thanks for all the information from everyone. Be interesting to see what the problem is.

BSA International · 31-03-2026 10:09AM

Some semi autos won't cycle shells with "shortl" brass on the cartridge.

.243 · 31-03-2026 07:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124352604#Comment_124352604

the fabarm hzur being one of them

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Semiauto Shotgun Problem

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