I picked up a nice M 37 Deerslayer. My question is about the action release button/lever on the right side of the trigger.

It releases the action fine but seems to not have much "action" or "spring" to it. Pretty much just push it and it works but seems "dead" to me.

Is this normal or should there be a more positive push and return to it.

I looked at schematics and do not see a spring for it??

Going to go test fire it today. I dry cycled it and shucked some live ammo.

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Those that I've handled had some tension to them; you had to push back against it to open the action. But it isn't usually too awfully strong. I think they're usually easier to open than an 870 or M-12.

I'd have a GOOD gunsmith look at it before you shoot it if it's that "soft." Or, try to compare it to others and see how it stacks up. I don't know if it could blow open prematurely on firing.

If you do need a spring or something, it shouldn't cost too much. I hope. (Maybe a spring didn't show on the schematic.)

I do find the location of the slide release to be very convenient on the M-37, one of the gun's good features.

Be VERY carefully cycling live ammo.....Most older 37's are "slam fire" capable

Yes, this one will.

Outside, muzzle pointed to the ground.

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Still Running Against the Wind

There's 2 springs in the M37 that power the slide release.
A tiny coil spring from the bottom gives it tension upwards.
The only non-coil spring in the trigger group, a simple bent wire spring, gives it some tension downward by pushing on the top of it.

If the action is working OK,,, that is: it locks up when the hammer is cocked and you CAN NOT unlock/slide the pump handle to the rear w/o either firing the gun or using the slide release,,,then I'd suspect the second spring (the simple piano wire spring) is weak, broken, ect.

The small coil that powers the slide latch from the bottom mearly makes sure it's pushed clear and out of the way when the hammer is down so the action can be opened.
Bolt must be locked for action to fire on a properly working M37.

You have to take the trigger group out of the receiver to get at the spring(s).
Cock the action.
Take the butt stock off (through bolt).
Remove the lower screw on the left side rear of the reciever and pull the trigger group out to the rear.

Simple pins holds things together. Just be carefull of the springs and their tension. Un-cock the hammer before removing it and it's spring. No special tools needed. None of the springs needs a special tool to install. The hammer spring is the strongest but can be reinstalled fairly easily.
Punches, hammer,,,a vise helps but not really necessary if you're in a pinch.

Re: 'slam fire' on an M37 or any of the various shotguns like the 870, M12, M42, ect.

They do not actually 'slam fire' as in the same contect as a STEN slam fires. A fixed firing pin in the bolt face mearly punching the primer as the bolt is closed.
The M37 has an internal hammer as do the others and a firing pin that is spring tensioned to the rear.
What occures is the trigger is disconnected from is sear notch in the hammer by the 'slide' as the action is worked.
The hammer is then let down onto the trigger as the slide pushes the bolt in battery. At that point, the gun is locked and can be fired. Holding the trigger to the rear simply allows the bolt to fall instead of resetting onto the trigger (sear) and fires the cartridge.

It's a simple system is the same idea as used on some early full auto mechanisms.
Since it uses a closed bolt for operation, it had it's draw backs

Repro Win M12 and 42 have an extra interupting sear part that will not allow the old feature. You have to intensionally release the trigger each time to fire the round.

A true slam fire in a M37 can occur if the firing pin breaks it's point and it becomes jammed into the breech face. Or the entire pin jams forward.
I've seen the latter happen occasionally on poorly maintained guns where rust gets in there.
A local Village PD Patrolman found that out a few years back on a cold January AM answering a violent fight call w/ shots fired.
He retrieved his issue M37 from the trunk of the vehicle, chambered a round and it blew a hole in the ice and snow in the street.
The shotgun was rusted from the wet and (road) salt conditions of the trunk storage and poor maintaince.
A couple of lessons in that one.

Good thinking

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2152hq has it covered - FYI - my M37 does have some small amount of "rebound" to the release lever. Must say that mine will give you a sore shoulder after a full day of bird shooting!!


Pete

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Don't tread on me

Thank you 2152hq, that is exactly what is happening. Appears it is the piano spring more so than the coil, but I suspect that is weak also.

I like projects and can take down most any handgun or rifle but this one just may be returned as it needs other work. After buying parts and spending a few hours on it it's not worth it to me.

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Still Running Against the Wind