Author Topic: Barrel Catch/Latch ? (Read 995 times)

Slufoot · « **on:** December 13, 2009, 01:02:30 PM »

The barrel catch or as we call it here, the latch, on my 30-06 Handi has the ear or cog broken off. This is the cog that has to engage just right in the release lever when you put it back together. I took it apart today to do a trigger job and I found the tiny piece of metal while disassembling and wondered what it was. When I took the barrel catch assembly out I realized where it came from.
I went to Brownells web site but they don't carry this part, I found two at Numrich but the picture shows that they have several cogs on both sides of the top. I found one like Numrich carries on GunBroker and went ahead and ordered it, $7.00 delivered.
Does anyone know if the barrel catch with cogs on both sides will work in my Handi?
I found on an old H&R site that said the barrel catch is a factory fit part and I really hate to send it back if I can fix it myself.
Does anyone have any experience replacing a barrel catch and do you know where I could buy one of the catches with the single cog?

Thanks!
Slufoot

cwlongshot · « **Reply #1 on:** December 13, 2009, 01:09:14 PM »

I'm trying to remember... Not sure, but If no one has the answer tomorrow, I can take one of min apart and tell you for sure. What is the SN prefix of this receiver?

I'm hittin' the sak very shortly as we have snow forecast and I'll get called be getting in.

I also may have this part as well. I'll check that too.

CW

Slufoot · « **Reply #2 on:** December 13, 2009, 01:17:10 PM »

Hey CW, the Serial # prefix is HX.

Thank you very much!
Hope you don't get too much snow.

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

quickdtoo · « **Reply #3 on:** December 13, 2009, 01:25:31 PM »

I"d be concerned about the strength of on older latch that wasn't made to be used on a high pressure barrel even if it will fit.

Tim

Slufoot · « **Reply #4 on:** December 13, 2009, 01:34:30 PM »

Hey Tim, I have thought about that too. I figured for 7 bucks if I didn't like it I wouldn't be out much and then I may just have to send it in to H&R. I really hate to have to do that. Maybe a call to H&R would be in order to see if I could possibly buy the latch from them, won't know till I try!

Thanks!
GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

quickdtoo · « **Reply #5 on:** December 13, 2009, 01:37:04 PM »

That's gonna be a tough sell since it directly affects fit, best of luck.

Tim

trotterlg · « **Reply #6 on:** December 13, 2009, 02:24:11 PM »

I think they are the same. I think the ones with the coggs on both sides were just left over from the type that had coggs all the way across before the transfer bar, then they cut a slot in them and they had coggs on each side. Newer ones only have coggs on one side, I think it will work just fine. This auction has the older type with the moder release lever and old type hammer with no transfer bar and the solid latch. Larry

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=149841347

Slufoot · « **Reply #7 on:** December 13, 2009, 03:54:10 PM »

Hey Larry, I sure hope you're right!
I looked at the auction you posted, the one I ordered has the slot cut in it.
I wonder if it would be possible to convert a new Handi back to the half cock hammer and do away with the transfer bar mechanism?

Thanks!
GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

quickdtoo · « **Reply #8 on:** December 13, 2009, 04:37:54 PM »

You can easily do that with just a change of the hammer and spring, see the FAQs low profile hammer mod 2.

Tim

peternap · « **Reply #9 on:** December 13, 2009, 07:35:03 PM »

Quote from: Slufoot on December 13, 2009, 03:54:10 PM

Hey Larry, I sure hope you're right!
I looked at the auction you posted, the one I ordered has the slot cut in it.
I wonder if it would be possible to convert a new Handi back to the half cock hammer and do away with the transfer bar mechanism?

Thanks!
GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

If you can live with the Gold Hammer, Numerich has plenty. The spring is a PITA but I'm getting so I can do them with my eyes closed.
Tim is the expert on those conversions though and you'll love the lower hammer.

Slufoot · « **Reply #10 on:** December 13, 2009, 11:49:19 PM »

Thanks Tim and peternap, I'll check out the low profile hammer mod 2, in the FAQ's.
A gold hammer, wonder if it could be refinished?

Thanks again guys!

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

Smokin Joe · « **Reply #11 on:** December 14, 2009, 04:20:27 AM »

Sure can. Just polish off the plating and cold blue it.

Slufoot · « **Reply #12 on:** December 14, 2009, 04:35:47 PM »

Thanks smokinjoe, Have you done this to one?

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

Smokin Joe · « **Reply #13 on:** December 14, 2009, 05:51:51 PM »

Yep. Just don't mess with the sear notch, etc.

Slufoot · « **Reply #14 on:** December 22, 2009, 08:28:29 AM »

I received the barrel catch in the mail yesterday and installed it last night. The cogs worked perfect in the release lever but the latch was just a little longer than the original. I pressed out the inspection plug and fit my barrel to the new latch. I took it out today and tried it out, only had six rounds loaded so I used three to get it dialed in and then shot a three shot group at 100 yards. My three shot group measured an incredible .340"

, I'm tickled to death!
I wonder how many pains the factory goes through fitting barrels? The release lever with my original catch was all the way to the top with the barrel closed. I used a magic marker as a layout fluid and fit my barrel so that I had full contact across the latch and so the the release lever still had some travel left for wear.
I also brought my trigger pull from 6lbs. 4 oz. down to 3 lbs.
I also sanded out and sealed my forend so that there is no contact with the barrel except at the lug.
I know I made too many changes at once to know what may have helped the most, but I am more than pleased with the results!

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

quickdtoo · « **Reply #15 on:** December 22, 2009, 08:31:23 AM »

That's great news, glad it all turned out good.

Tim

wreckhog · « **Reply #16 on:** December 22, 2009, 01:33:16 PM »

Is this the part discussed? I may order a couple to see if they tighten up fit; in lieu of shimming.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #17 on:** December 22, 2009, 02:38:47 PM »

Quote from: wreckhog on December 22, 2009, 01:33:16 PM

Is this the part discussed? I may order a couple to see if they tighten up fit; in lieu of shimming.

Yup, Thats it!!

VERY GLAD to hear the final results are so great!!! GOOD JOB!!!

CW

Slufoot · « **Reply #18 on:** December 22, 2009, 02:43:58 PM »

Hey wreckhog that is the exact part I installed.
If you have a sloppy fit between the breech face and the hinge pin I don't think this will help eliminate shimming.
On the other hand if your release lever is at the top because your barrel catch is fully engaged, then this part may help to tighten the lockup. It did for me but this is the only barrel catch change that I'm aware of.

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

Slufoot · « **Reply #19 on:** December 22, 2009, 03:16:09 PM »

Thanks CW and Tim. Here is a pic of my old broken barrel catch along with the .340" group fired at 100 yards. The load consisted of R-P brass, 165 grain Rem. Core-Lokt bullets, CCI-200 primers and Noslers max load of IMR-4350 powder. Bullets were seated just off the lands. This is the load I shot my last deer with this year, a doe that dropped in her tracks. That was also the last time I shot the gun before discovering the broken barrel catch.