New Chapuis Elan Owner looking for help

[Ndczerwinski]

Help please. I got my first double rifle yesterday, a Chapuis Elan in 470 NE.

I had a few questions I was hoping an existing owner might be able to help with since I am struggling to find answers with searching the forum, google, and the Chapuis website.

I feel like my breach lever is way off to the right when closed. I know based on research that they don’t center up perfectly until they are well used. This threw me off a bit because my break action shotguns are not like this. The question is, is this too far to the right possibly indicating there is not enough bite to be securely locked?

Also I cannot figure out how to get the front night site to flip over. Is there some trick I am missing?

Thank you for the help.

 

[chashardy]

Hmmmm. Big Chapuis fan here, and I have to agree with you that the pic doesn't look right. My 375 Ajex/Brousse doesn't look like that. In fact, I have to be careful not to leave my thumb on the safety when firing because the lever will hit my thumb in recoil--bloody the first time, so I learned my lesson.
I would recommend you go to the nearest Beretta store and get their gunsmith to look at it. (Chapuis is part of Beretta now.)
As for the flip sight, I can't help. I use a red dot on mine.
You purchased a great double rifle. Get comfortable that it's all okay and go practice at the range. You will love it, but keep your thumb off the safety.

 

[Mekaniks]

Is it a new gun that came like that from the factory???

 

[Russ16]

Make sure you clean the action and hinge thoroughly. Even a small amount of dirt or grease can cause a tight fitting gun to not close all the way. Especially until they are broken in.

 

[gcbailey]

Just a couple of things that I can think of: as @Russ16 stated, first make sure the action and hinge are clean and free from even small debris. Second, are you closing the action with authority? Not slamming it closed, but not babying it either. A slight snap of your wrist and you should hear the slight "thunk" as the barrels mate to the receiver. Especially on new guns, they may need a little more force than your older guns that are already broken in.

Regarding the sight, the only flip style sight that I am aware of from Chapuis are the classic Holland style. You should just be able to reach towards the very front of the sight towards the muzzle and flip it back and over the smaller front sight. Fortunately, the Heym website provides us with some examples.

These front sights are what you typically see in a Chapuis.

These are another type of flip up sights. I haven't seen Chapuis utilize them, but that doesn't mean that they don't. You just use your fingernail (thumb seems easiest) and pull the front sight up into position.

 

[Ndczerwinski]

Just a couple of things that I can think of: as @Russ16 stated, first make sure the action and hinge are clean and free from even small debris. Second, are you closing the action with authority? Not slamming it closed, but not babying it either. A slight snap of your wrist and you should hear the slight "thunk" as the barrels mate to the receiver. Especially on new guns, they may need a little more force than your older guns that are already broken in.

Regarding the sight, the only flip style sight that I am aware of from Chapuis are the classic Holland style. You should just be able to reach towards the very front of the sight towards the muzzle and flip it back and over the smaller front sight. Fortunately, the Heym website provides us with some examples.

These front sights are what you typically see in a Chapuis.
View attachment 693624


These are another type of flip up sights. I haven't seen Chapuis utilize them, but that doesn't mean that they don't. You just use your fingernail (thumb seems easiest) and pull the front sight up into position.
View attachment 693625View attachment 693626

I will try giving the hinge a good thorough cleaning. It is a new gun, so I brought it home and did put some light gun grease on the hinge as that is how I always run my over under shotguns but I have never had a Browning act like this. I do definitely have to close this gun with authority, but that is still has centered up as the lever gets.

The site is the H&H style. It shipped in the forward position and I put my fingernail under the white bead to flip it backwards but it won’t move. Wasn’t sure if it was bound up or if there is a trick to it.

I reached out to their customer service and have been waiting for days for a response, so I appreciate all the advice I can get. Definitely not the experience I had pictured in my head for my first double rifle that I longed for all these years.

 

[Rare Breed]

If you still have problems I would send to JJ Perodeau in Enid OK. He is the best DR gunsmith in the world. I send all my DRs to him when I buy

 

[Sh1kar]

@Tom Leoni

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

If you still have problems I would send to JJ Perodeau in Enid OK. He is the best DR gunsmith in the world. I send all my DRs to him when I buy

While JJ is still associated with Champlin in Enid, he relocated several years ago to near Tulsa.

JJ Perodeau Gunmaker

711 S. 263rd West Avenue
Sand Springs, OK 74063

(580)747-1805
jj@jjperodeau.com

 

[cajunchefray]

I will try giving the hinge a good thorough cleaning. It is a new gun, so I brought it home and did put some light gun grease on the hinge as that is how I always run my over under shotguns but I have never had a Browning act like this. I do definitely have to close this gun with authority, but that is still has centered up as the lever gets.

The site is the H&H style. It shipped in the forward position and I put my fingernail under the white bead to flip it backwards but it won’t move. Wasn’t sure if it was bound up or if there is a trick to it.

I reached out to their customer service and have been waiting for days for a response, so I appreciate all the advice I can get. Definitely not the experience I had pictured in my head for my first double rifle that I longed for all these years.

My suggestion is based upon the one double rifle I have owned, so take this as such.

Please consider I am not an expert, and many more members are very knowledgeable double rifle enthusiasts and hunters.

Carefully clean the sliding under lugs bolts in the base of the action.
Mine was not a Chapuis, but a cheaper Sabatti. The sliding bolts that lock up the action are moved by the lever on top of the action. I sprayed bore solvent, and moved the bolts by working the top lever.
I’ve done this while cleaning the bolts and recesses with a small brass brush. Then I wiped these parts with a cotton cleaning patch, while working the top lever. There was not a lot of residue, but it became smoother with the top lever snapping more in line position.

Once cleaned and dry, I then used CLP oil, sparingly on the bolts and recess
Based upon things I’ve learned here, I used a high quality gun grease on the hinge pin.

Then I worked the action several times to smooth out.

Good luck with your Chapuis, a really nice rifle.

 

[franzfmdavis]

@Tom Leoni

…the “bat signal” for chapuis guns

 

[Ndczerwinski]

I tried PMing Tom a few days ago before posting this, but he must be busy.

So I got the flip sight figured out it was just bound up out a little oil in at and pried it up with a small screwdriver without damage.

I fired the gun for the first time tonight and I must admit……it was awesome! I was a little intimidated by the recoil of the 470 NE but I feel like it’s not bad at all compared to many other modern magnum rifles I own.

Still wondering if the lump needs to be polished or anything to improve engagement of the under bite.

 

[Betterinthebush]

Mine looks exactly like yours. I bought it from a AH member with impeccable credentials. I flew to his location to pick it up. Same model rifle, same everything.

Been shooting two-four rounds/day of Hornaday DGX. Unimpressed with groups, not worried. Collecting the brass and going to get a custom load worked up for it close to what it was regulated for.

This is the largest bore rifle I’ve ever owned or shot. I was nervous the first shot. Not anymore. Front sight post concentration, trigger control, good breathing technique and smooth follow through. And, I have to tell you, I feel better behind the Chapuis than my Dakota 76 .416 Rigby.