How do I break it down? - The Firearms Forum

Country101 · 03-01-2004, 05:46 PM

I've got a Deluxe Topper M488 410 GA Harrington and Richardson that I'm takin apart and cleaning. How do I detach the barrel? There seems to be a pin going through that it hinges on, but it doesn't look like I should try to knock it through. Anybody know how? I wanna save the really big hammer as a last resort.

Country101

CountryGunsmith · 03-01-2004, 06:12 PM

That is the hinge pin and it is NOT designed to be routinely removed.

To remove the barrel, first remove the forend assembly. It should be held on by a screw from underneath. Then just open the action and tilt the barrel down and forward.

Country101 · 03-01-2004, 07:41 PM

There is no screw under it.

I screwed up here in the last couple minutes too. I took out a pin from under the locking mechanism and a spring fell out from somewhere. I think it may have been from under everything. Something dropped down when I got the pin out and the rod that comes out with a piece shaped to be part of the barrel came out too.

H&R sure didn't design this thing to be gunsmith friendly did they. Getting it back together may be a tough job for a thick fingered idiot like me.

Country101

Marlin · 03-01-2004, 07:48 PM

Just follow the axiom to do it slowly and very methodically.

CountryGunsmith · 03-02-2004, 04:14 AM

OK, if there is no screw then the forend just pulls away from the receiver or has some obvious catch mechanism you should be able to see. Either way, the forearm must be removed to remove the barrel.

As to drifting out other pins and parts coming loose, sounds like you are on your way to what we call a "gun-in-the-bag." Just remember that bench-time usually runs about $50/hr. (We get $60/hr, here.) I guess you could say that your gun IS gunsmith-friendly...

Country101 · 03-02-2004, 06:54 AM

It did just pull off. Not the way I expected though. Apparently it has a pin that comes out from the barrel and goes into a hole in the foregrip. Inside the hole there is a pin that fits into a groove on the other pin. It's given pressure to keep it on by a spring.

I got that piece back together, but now I've got to do the rest of it. It's gonna be a chore.

Thanks for the help!

Country101

03-01-2004, 05:46 PM	#1
Country101 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dardanelle, AR Contributor Posts: 2,045	How do I break it down? I've got a Deluxe Topper M488 410 GA Harrington and Richardson that I'm takin apart and cleaning. How do I detach the barrel? There seems to be a pin going through that it hinges on, but it doesn't look like I should try to knock it through. Anybody know how? I wanna save the really big hammer as a last resort. Country101 -->

03-01-2004, 06:12 PM	#2
CountryGunsmith Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Deep Piney Woods of East Texas Posts: 5,116	That is the hinge pin and it is NOT designed to be routinely removed. To remove the barrel, first remove the forend assembly. It should be held on by a screw from underneath. Then just open the action and tilt the barrel down and forward. __________________ The autonomic nervous system provides for involuntary muscle function - the work of breathing, digestion, and so forth. On some folks, that's a pure waste of ingenuity.

03-01-2004, 07:48 PM	#4
Marlin TFF Admin Staff Chief Counselor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: At SouthernMoss' side forever! Contributor Posts: 13,854	Just follow the axiom to do it slowly and very methodically. __________________ *The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.* *The only criminal class native to the United States is Congress.*

03-02-2004, 04:14 AM	#5
CountryGunsmith Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Deep Piney Woods of East Texas Posts: 5,116	OK, if there is no screw then the forend just pulls away from the receiver or has some obvious catch mechanism you should be able to see. Either way, the forearm must be removed to remove the barrel. As to drifting out other pins and parts coming loose, sounds like you are on your way to what we call a "gun-in-the-bag." Just remember that bench-time usually runs about $50/hr. (We get $60/hr, here.) I guess you could say that your gun IS gunsmith-friendly... __________________ The autonomic nervous system provides for involuntary muscle function - the work of breathing, digestion, and so forth. On some folks, that's a pure waste of ingenuity.

03-01-2004, 07:41 PM	#3
Country101 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dardanelle, AR Contributor Posts: 2,045	There is no screw under it. I screwed up here in the last couple minutes too. I took out a pin from under the locking mechanism and a spring fell out from somewhere. I think it may have been from under everything. Something dropped down when I got the pin out and the rod that comes out with a piece shaped to be part of the barrel came out too. H&R sure didn't design this thing to be gunsmith friendly did they. Getting it back together may be a tough job for a thick fingered idiot like me. Country101

03-02-2004, 06:54 AM	#6
Country101 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dardanelle, AR Contributor Posts: 2,045	It did just pull off. Not the way I expected though. Apparently it has a pin that comes out from the barrel and goes into a hole in the foregrip. Inside the hole there is a pin that fits into a groove on the other pin. It's given pressure to keep it on by a spring. I got that piece back together, but now I've got to do the rest of it. It's gonna be a chore. Thanks for the help! Country101