Aluminum for shims?

[DeaconKC]

Picked up an older Crescent SxS this weekend. It is a bit loose, so I need to shim it. I do not have my brass material [disappeared in our move], can I use aluminum instead?

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I have used brass salvaged from pistol cases to shim tang site bases. They are slightly tapered, so you can orient them carefully to have a rough windage adjustment. .38 Spl have a gradual taper, while 9mm have a steeper taper. Cut'n try.

P.S; to answer you real question, why not? It is a bit softer than brass, and might not stand up to extreme stress. Aluminum comes in different hardnesses, so try it. Pop can material?

[DeaconKC]

Not for a sight, that would be an easy yes. It is for the hinge area that has loosened over the years.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

It just occurred to me. I have a role of foil that I used to "beagle" a bullet mold. I am away from my shop, but I seem to recal ithad an adhesive side?

[Major 2]

Amazon   

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=brass+shim+stock&crid=2EDW63KS5BWKO&sprefix=brass+shim+stock%2Caps%2C142&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

[Coffinmaker]

  Hey Deacon 

There is no reason you can't use Al-U-Minimum for a shim, or shims as it twer.  It may or may not last as long as brass, but certainly useable.  The only problem may be finding the right thickness Beer or Pop Cans.  Start with Coors 

Play Safe Out There

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

  Hey Deacon 

There is no reason you can't use Al-U-Minimum for a shim, or shims as it twer.  It may or may not last as long as brass, but certainly useable.  The only problem may be finding the right thickness Beer or Pop Cans.  Start with Coors 

Play Safe Out There

The secret is in the preparation!

[DeaconKC]

Well, since i don't drink alcohol, I will have to check what Diet Mountain Dew will need! 

[Pettifogger]

I use pop/beer can aluminum shims and as an FYI they measure around .005".

[Professor Marvel]

 My Good Deacon

Have you been able to shim the action yet?

Yhs
Prf mumbles

[DeaconKC]

My Good Deacon

Have you been able to shim the action yet?

Yhs
Prf mumbles

No, things have been hectic around the place the last couple of weeks, so I have been putting it off, procrastinating as it were. Also, I cannot find the black Loctite I prefer for this job, I may have to go with the red or order some stuff from Brownell's.

[Reverend P. Babcock Chase]

Howdy Deacon,

Just a tangential thought: I had a nice Belgian double that seemed to have become loose. Initial thought was loose at the hinge, but saw a Midway video on tightening a double the English way. They "peened" right below where the locking lug slides into the lump under the barrel. I tried it and it worked very well. The gun is now bank vault tight. Haven't shot the gun much to see if it will loosen up again.

The point is that your problem may not be at the hinge, but at the lockup. Historically, I have used the shim approach when fitting barrels from one shotgun to another of the same make (old N.R. Davis from the junk barrel at a gun store).

Free opinion, worth every penny,

Rev. Chase

[DeaconKC]

Howdy Deacon,

Just a tangential thought: I had a nice Belgian double that seemed to have become loose. Initial thought was loose at the hinge, but saw a Midway video on tightening a double the English way. They "peened" right below where the locking lug slides into the lump under the barrel. I tried it and it worked very well. The gun is now bank vault tight. Haven't shot the gun much to see if it will loosen up again.

The point is that your problem may not be at the hinge, but at the lockup. Historically, I have used the shim approach when fitting barrels from one shotgun to another of the same make (old N.R. Davis from the junk barrel at a gun store).

Free opinion, worth every penny,

Rev. Chase

I will look into that, thanks!