New G2 compatibility with barrels.

[chazgin]

My wife gave me a new G2 frame for Christmas and just started playing around with it. Noticed some issues right away, so maybe you guys can help. I have 3 barrels for my old style Contender frame, they all work fine with my old style frame. They all have split locking lugs. Here is the situation a) TC 223 14" does not allow hammer to full cock; b) SSK 45/70 14" does not allow hammer to full cock; c) TC 7X444 (custom rechamber) works fine. This barrel was unlocking on my old frame and I changed the locking lug springs (that worked, although hard to open, need strong hands to unlock). So what is the story with the new G2? Waek springs in the other 2 barrels?
Also the TC booklet talks about the trigger stop and even comes with a little Allen wrench for it, however the frame does not have a trigger stop, it's not even drilled for one. Is this a new configuration?
Any thoughts or comments will be appreciated.

[Keith L]

All my G2s have the trigger stop, but apparently they stopped factory installing them some time ago.  One poster raised the question to TC and they put one in for him.  You could ask.  If you have access to a drill press etc. you could put in a stop screw yourself.

Try closing the action sharply a few times and see if the hammer cocks then.  You may need to polish the locking bolts a little to get them to work right.  This is not an issue with G2 only, I have had to fit them in my traditional Contender frames as well.  All barrels should work in a G2, but G2 muzzleloader barrels and a couple barrels from Bullberry are the only ones that I know of that don't work the other way.

[Dezynco]

No Chazgin, the problem is not common to G2's only.  My dad has 3 "old style" Contenders and a case full of barrels.  Every now and then he and I have run across a barrel that would not lock closed, or wouldn't close well enough to kick that little "bow-tie" looking thing that allows the hammer to cock.  When I put an older Super-14 30-30 barrel onto my new G2 Contender frame, it wouldn't stay closed!  A little elbow grease and all is well!

What you have to do is carefully polish the sides and top of the barrel locking lugs.  Just use a fine stone with some oil and drag it over the lugs until they will snap into place in the reciever.  Basically just "remove a coat of paint" from them.  Take your time and keep replacing the barrel and testing it until it works.  Be careful not to scratch the barrel and breech, just take your time.

I'm sure that Thompson Center would do this for you at no charge, but you can do it yourself, it's not hard to do.  I've had to fit 3 of them that just wouldn't quite work correctly.

[chazgin]

Playing with the 223 barrel got it to lock up with a sharp closure. Have done this several times and now this barrel locks up reliably. Working on the 45/70 SSK barrel, next. Will stoning the top of the lugs help and will this adversely affect lock up on the other older Contender frame where it locks up just fine now? I am leaning towards thinking that the tolerances on this new G2 frame maybe a few thousands tighter than my old frame.

[Dezynco]

Shouldn't hurt anything with the old frames, actually will probably help.  The lugs have a slight taper to them.  Stoning them will make them drop even further into the frame.  We're not talking about grinding a big chunk off them, just polish them slightly - just enough to make them snap into place.

Start by polishing the sides, then work your way to the top.  I have found that the sides are what tend drag against the frame, keeping them from engaging completely.  Only take a little off the top - just shine it up a bit.  Keep it oiled and clean it well after stoning them.

[30HERRETT]

Try different pins holding your barrels on .They have different sizes .

[chazgin]

Finally got back to working on this. Stoned the top of the locking lugs with a diamond lap a little at a time and the 45/70 barrel locks up and pushes the bar enough to cock the hammer. So issue solved. Thanks for the hints.