You’re watching a man smarter than all the gunsmiths at Weatherby

I have a stoeger condor 20 gauge over under and I have the same issue after I shoot about 15 to 20 in a session. This explains Why my gun does that. Been trying to figure it out. I'll check my lower and see if that's my issue. Very informative. Differnt guns, same issue. Thank you.

This is great investigative work using the artifact left by the shells upon firing. Good video! ‘To spec’ isn’t always correct

Hey Tony, good video and superior detective work. By now it's been over a year since you made this video and I hope the situation with Weatherby has been resolved! Anyway, I just purchased this same gun (Weatherby Orion Sport) about a month ago and just inspected it based on your video. Being a new gun it's very stiff opening and closing, but it is slowly loosening up and I only have ~200 rounds through it. That being said, the receiver face is perfectly flat with consistent marks from shell casing impact. The lower barrel breach has a noticeable bevel/radius on the most bottom section to allow for proper opening and closing. I think you got a bad gun or Weatherby has updated the design to fix the problem you described. Thanks for the very informative video.

I bought a Weatherby Orion sporting two weeks ago.. I experienced some difficulty to open the break action after I shoot the under barrel for the first 150 rds, after that the action became so smooth. I love the gun.. I patterned the barrels and the shoot 50-50 with very well regulation. I bought it as a backup gun for clay shooting (Trap, sporting, five stand, etc..) I find myself grapping it on every clay outing so far.. Maybe because it is a beretta clone and it looks to me that Beretta styles fit me better.. Keep shooting the gun beyond 300 rds and tell us if it gets better..

Que absurdo meu amigo, a marca não poderia deixar isso acontecer JAMAIS!!! obrigado pelo alerta e vídeo.

Tony. Thanks for the video. I have a Orion from Weatherby. After putting about 500 rounds or so through it, I started have issues with both barrels firing at the same time. And the forend stock was started to get more and more loose. I sent it back to customer service. They say forend stock wasnt cut right. Refitted with new one and made some adjustments for the double fire and sent it back . But, like before,after a few hundred or so rounds the issue has returned. Stock is no longer issue but its really unnerving when your only expecting 1 barrel to fire. Also have issues with light primer strikes every now and then. Now this of course is not the same issue you have but it was the same song and dance. After seeing issues I too now believe there is a quality control issue at least with these guns. Just thought I would share this with you. John

I have the same gun I’ve had for 1 year and 825 rounds through it. I’ve cleaned & greased it religiously. Same problem occurs with the bottom barrel. I took it to the gun smith @ Scheels and they had 4 “professionals” look @ it and said no problem. Everything is good. 🤦‍♂️. I’ve kindly explained to them I’m not making it up and other guns I’ve shot are not like this. Thanks for the video with the great explanation. Wish this info was out there July of 2020 when I bought this defect!

Yes Sir I would have to agree with you. That is definitely a design flaw!

Thank you for making this video, I was about to order one but now I will not!

Tony I think you are absoluteley right ,it is a company defect and they should fix it ,but can it be done without being to costly not sure that is why they are made in Turkey more profit .

So i had the same issue. Every empty shell it will cause drag and the gun wont break open as easy. Brought it to my local gun smith who i used plenty of times and what he found was just debris blocking the firing pin from retracting causing the shell to drag against the firing pin.Cleaned it out and been great no issues.

Thanks for the video I was just going to order one from Sportsman's Warehouse you saved me lots of dollars. Why Weatherby didn't just give you a new gun our your money back is amazing bullshit from them.

Tony we need more guys like you making good videos we can under stand ! I was just at Cabelas today and looked at the same shotgun like yours ($1600.) and decided to go home and do some research . I am so glad I found yours . Not buying one now . I hope the CEO of Weatherby sees this video and contacts you and makes it right. You deserve a free shot gun on top of getting yours repaired.Seems like your not the only Orion buyer out there with the same problem . I just retired as a tradesmen and looking for a good entree level shotgun o/u . This will be my retirement gift to my self . What shot guns do you recommend me buying around the same price as a Orion. How about a Yidiz or a Kral Please make some videos of your other guns ,likes and dislikes .

Tony definitely knew what he was talking about and we Weatherby owners should all thank him for the video 'cause this video touched several serious points. However, it does seem to me that there are some mysteries about the problem. Here are my thoughts: 1) I don't suspect any people who reported the problem. However, it may be fair to say that MOST owners of this gun have not got this problem 'cause if not the case, in this internet era there would have been much noisier backlash against the gun. 2) I myself have this gun with a perfect flat receiver surface. Suppose my gun is a redesigned model that corrected previous flaw design, why many other early reviews did not mention this problem either? 3) If this was not a design problem, rather, it's a quality control problem, it's really hard to think that with today's much superior steel material and digital lathe/machining, a couple of degrees off-angle could result. 4) Could people who reported this problem please provide the serial number of their receiver/action? Such information would help us to see whether it's a specific batch of products that have this problem. 5) The official Weatherby responses reported in several previous comments gave the impression that Weatherby, at least its shotgun department, have no real shotgun engineers other than some import businessmen (probably with MBAs but not engineering degrees.) Also, they might try to tough out on a problematic batch of products due to some mistakes they made. This would be a VERY SERIOUS problem for ALL Weatherby gun owners 'cause it would be a company credibility problem. So far we have not got a conclusion but if it is the case, such problematic culture would definitely kill any company in the long run.

Tony, I know exactly what you are talking about. Several years ago I bought a Rossi lever action rifle which had feeding problems so I took it apart and found that there was a defective part which was supposed to be slotted in order to slide freely through the retaining pin as the lever was stroked but because it was a poor casting it impinged upon that pin causing the hang ups. I sent the rifle back to the repair facility in Florida explaining the problem and after a month or so I received the rifle back from them and found that they had replaced the guides in the side of the receiver and I still had feeding problems . They did not replace the defective part( You could obviously see the the defect) and in addition one of the pins which held the assembly in place was broken and they still used it. Disgusting. That is what gun owners are faced with dealing with. Rossi is a trashy organization and everybody at that repair facility should be terminated. Its time we started scrutinizing the imports coming into this country .

I have a new Weatherby Orion Sporting. It got hard to open after 50 rounds. I think it is more very tight tolerances. once the gun heats up the metal expands and gets tight. Once my gun cooled off it was ok again. The temp in Texas is around 95 to 100 so it's already starting out warm before a shot is even fired.

I just bought an Orion Sporting, and the breech face is completely flat. The lower edge of the lower barrel has a radius, just as you described. So at some point, they must have changed the design. Also, the barrel-to-receiver fit is very tight, just as I expect any new o/u would be. I've only shot 1 box of shells so far, but already notice the action getting smoother.

I bought the same gun a few months ago. Mine did the same thing after I shot the lower barrel. The top barrel was fine. I’m mean it was very hard to open. After I shot mine for a couple months it started loosing up. Now both barrels do great. I’m very happy finish in function of this gun now. it’s the best over and under I’ve had the pleasure to shoot.

Thanks for the video. I was thinking to buy one of those but now I rather spend a little more on a better shotgun.

Nice Video, I took a Dremel Tool and cleaned up the receiver and it ia able to clear with No Problem! Our local gunsmith will not touch any gun that is made in Turkey.

I have the field version and had a problem with stiffness opening the action. Turns out he surfaces between the forearm and the receiver gaulled on one side but some sandpaper to take off the high beads and lots of grease fixed the problem. After your video I checked the geometry of the receiver face and found the top five eights of the bottom barrel perfectly flat with the top barrel but the bottom of the shell is not supported. The receiver face is machined so that the very bottom is recessed at one or two degrees. Also the bottom barrel is beveled like you described. I don't have any problems with the gun now after about 1000 rounds.

HI Tony. Thanks for the video and information. I was considered this gun, but now I'm reconsidering. Hey Weatherby, are you paying attention?

Yes, sir. İ had the same problem. Especially after slugs , i could not break the gun. i sold it. i was thinking the problem was firing pins. But as you said it may be the reason. Now i'm thinking to buy another over under. i am thinking akus or Akdas. but not Ata(weatherby). thank you.

I have the same exact shot gun. And mine does not have any issues. I bought mine in Dec of 2020.

Hello Mr. DeBellis, I have watched your video and agree completely. I would take your gun to a qualified gun smith and see if he will back you up with a written inspection of your problem. I wish you luck. Louie

on a second thought if they offered a replacement then go for it.. I really like mine..

I have the same gun in 20ga. Have not had a problem until today. Have shot approximately 400 rounds through the gun. The problem began when I used Federal 2.75 in shells. I am hoping that the shells are the issue. Not sure if you are experiencing the issue throughout a variety of ammunition. Thanks for the video.

I love my Orion sporting model in 12 gage that I had for about 6 months now, and I just purchased another orion o/u in 20 gage just today.

I have the same shotgun,same problem!

I purchased the 20 gauge, and have the same exact problem, in fact I have seen some minor metal filings in the receiver, examining the fired shotgun shells, I’ve determined there coming from the lower part of the shell casing. I’ve tried three different shell manufacturers, and still have the same problem. Sometimes it’s so bad that I have to break the gun across my knee to open the action. My next plan of action is to try to use some sort of abrasive compound to polish the lower section of the receiver to get a little more space. So far I have about 4/500 rounds thru the gun, and it still binds up 6/7 times for every 25 shot. It’s definitely a pain in the ass

I purchased the same gun last year and have about 1200 rounds through it. I 100% know what you're talking about because I've experienced the exact same issue. I was hoping things would get better over time but I have not seen a significant change for the better. The gun is still tough to break open after firing the bottom barrel.

It us a function of the geometry of the shallow action.

I haven't noticed any of this yet. Mine is slightly tight since day one but not too much.

So Tony, what gun do you suggest on a similar weatherby budget?

I have owned a weatherby orion for over 1.5 years. I have a problem opening the bottom barrel, but only when shooting the cheapest walmart shells, with the steel bases. I have no problems with the better grade shells including AA's, Rem gun club, Fed top gun, etc. I have cycled some of these shells through my MEC grabber, which sizes the base also. They then run and eject with no problem. Check your ammo. I have over 4000 shells through my gun with no other issues.

I've got the same gun, picked it up about a month ago. My son shoots a beretta 694 in competition. I've put several hundred rounds through the gun and have not seen this issue until I fired some Grand Italia mirage made by Clever. They seem to be an Italian manufacturer and I picked up five boxes of 7 1/2 shot ammo from Scheels. My son had the same problem though with his Beretta 924. This makes me think that the problem may not be the gun so much as the ammunition. I haven't seen this issue with Winchester AA, Challenger or Federal Blue box.

I have seen this first hand. the lower barrel needs to be milled out .1000 for the shell to seat

Cool

I have run 3500 rounds through it, mainly WW, and other brands all low brass, lead target loads 1145-1250 fps. NO problems with my Orion Sporting. I see you have problems with high brass shells. Same on lower power ammo?

In your opinion, what is a good, reliable, AFFORDABLE over under shotgun?

wow i was looking at purchasing a sxs maybe not now eh? thanks

Just ordered one it will be here next week I’ll let you know if I have any issue

I have an Athena and an Orion purchased almost 30 years ago. The Orion does exactly as you describe and always has. Fire the lower barrel, and it seizes up and will not open. Weatherby has been no help and my local gunsmith won't touch it. So, I own a beautiful but worthless Orion. By the way - no problems with the Athena. Thank you for the video. I thought my problem was unique. Now I know it's not.

Maybe I should cancel but dang man, this gun has thousands of great reviews.

I got my Orion a few months ago. It seems to shoot, open, and close fine.

Got that same gun with same problem, it's on its way back to Weatherby to be repaired. I'll know something in a few weeks

I have same gun, same problem! Can't be safe.

I had a american arm that was the same way I took a file to the face and been shooting it for 20 years it fine

So what happened? I think weatherby will replace

I've owned a 686 Onyx Sporting in the past and it had no such issues, We have a child in our youth trap league that uses one of these I fully intend to question him at the next practice.

So have em replace it and report back. If you won’t them replace it you have a sample of one. Doesn’t prove it’s an issue.

This is an obvious design flaw. It will be different gun to gun as obviously minor tolerance differences, but looks like they messed up the geometry on test guns and programmed the design to mill that angle in for clearance rather than redesign the whole reciever, the fact half the shell is not sitting on a breach face is worrying, the mid rib on barrels looks like an after thought also to keep weight down from muzzle end. Cheap guns make be pretty but used quality over new cheap with warranty is sound advice,

Clearly if you're having difficulty opening it up after all those rounds fired something is wrong.

Just ordered one BEFORE I see this, smh....

What was the outcome