Yea Tim,
I had to call it quit's last night and I'm working today, but I definately have something fouled up here that I am going to investigate when I get home.
Let me put the whole situation out here for analysis:
The barrel is loose when latched to the frame. If you pull down on the muzzle end of the barrel, you get a gap at the top, but if you pull up on the muzzle end of the barrel you eliminate the gap. I believe a shim is in order here and I will address that first this evening.
Obviously I have latch issues. I stoned it smooth last night, but I didn't remove much material, just smooth. I kept checking as I worked hoping to see some improvement but nothing got better. If I slam the barrel shut (with as much force as possible) and wiggle the loose barrel on the frame I get some engagement across the latch shelf, but it seems to be engaging the most on the left side in the same spot as seen in the photos.
I believe your correct in that I should check everything for square. What's bothering me the most is that the spot where my latch is making contact is exactly where the bluing is worn on the latch shelf from prior use on another frame. To me that's an indicator that something is mis-aligned.
Well, this is the situation if anyone cares to comment or share a common experience.
Thanks,
270