Contender will not fire

[Jerry H]

First of all I would like to say howdy to all I am new here.
I bought a used Contender with 3 barrels 22LR, 44 mag, and 30/30 all super 14. The problem I am having is when the 30/30 barrel is on the frame it will not fire. The other 2 barrels fire just fine. I have taken the gun back to the store I bought it from and they sent it out to a gunsmith for repair. After I picked it up I took it to the range for a test drive and the first round fired so I load a second round and it did not fire. The retailer (who shall remain nameless because that is not the point of this post) has given me a credit towards my purchase and let me keep the 30/30 barrel.
So now that I  have made what I feel is a square deal with them I am looking for some help to make this barrel work and make some noise

Have any of you ever had a problem like this and if so what was the fix? According to the S/N this frame was mfg. in 1998.

I will check back later tihis evening for replies.

Thanks

[blhof]

Is the primer being dented at all?  Do both other barrels work fine?  Are all 3 barrels actual T/C barrels, as there are and have been aftermarket makers of Tender barrels?  Make sure the barrel is locking up if the primers aren't being struck, if the primer shows light strikes, you might need a new hammer spring, as the 3030 uses large rifle primers and some are harder than pistol primers, which the 44 uses.   Others will have better answers and probably more questions.

[Jerry H]

No the primers are not dented

Yes the other barrels work w/o any problems

Yes all 3 barrels are T/C factory barrels

The only thing I can see different when I switch barrels is when the 30/30 barrel is installed there is a gap in between the face of the hammer and the firing pins.

There is something about this barrel that will not let the hammer drop far enough for it to hit the firing pin. I just now dry fired it 3 times and only 1 of 3 did the hammer drop far enough.

Thanks for the reply.

Before someone ask yes the slector is in the centerfire position

I will post a pic of if that will help

[P.A. Myers]

Is the barrel otherwise tight? Is the bolt [lug,whatever] free to slide? While you are inspecting, see if the cartridge rim is flush with the breach, not recessed. Carefully examine the breach end of the problem barrel and the centerfire barrel that works well. Look for any differences, however minor.  A firm smack with a 14oz BallPeen will usually fix any T/C, it's just a matter of where.

I wish I could be of more help.

P.A.

[Keith L]

First really clean the locking bolts and the area where they lock into.  Try it after briskly closing the breech.  That may be all it takes.  If not then swap bolts from one of the working barrels and try again.  If it works then polish the bolts that weren't working and try it again.  You may have to do this a couple of times until the bolts engage enough to let the hammer fall normally.  This is a common reason and fix for non-firing Contenders.

[Dezynco]

+ on the locking bolts!

I'm betting that the locking bolts on the 30-30 barrel are not engaging far enough.  It's actually a common problem with Contender barrels.  Give the locking bolts a good cleaning and make sure that they have plenty of spring tention in them.  Those things must fully engage the interlock in the frame for the gun to go bang.

If you have verified that the bolts are cleaned, lightly lubed, and have plenty of tension, and the gun still won't fire, then you may need to polish them.  Just drive out the roll pin that holds them in being careful not to loose the spring.  Take a hard sharpening stone and some oil and polish the sides of the bolts that meet the inside of the frame.  You might also give the tops of them a little attention also.  Be careful!  You're not trying to grind them down, just polish them until they snap into the frame correctly.  I've heard of some folks using a Sharpie to color the bolts, then polish until you remove the ink (do this a couple of times).  Polish a little, install, test, repeat until they fit correctly.

I'm actually surprised that the hammer will even cock, but each Contender frame is slightly different, not matter how much alike they all are.

[Jerry H]

Thanks for the replies

I am removing bolts now, will post results shortly.

If this fixes this that easly I am going back to where I bought it and tell them " if they get any more in like this and would like to sell them at a discount price I will take them off their hands" 

[Jerry H]

The bolt is the problem.

Removed botls from 3030 & 44 installed bolt only from 44 in 3030 I left the springs in their own barrels. 10 out of 10 dry fires the hammer went home 
It should go BANG tomorrow 

Now to fix the bolt so it will work in the 44 barrell but first a celebratory glass of tea 

Thanks to everybody for their replies.

Great site by the way and now I have a new place to spend money on things I can't live without 

[Paladin]

I would install the bolts into the 44 barrel and try it before I did anything to them, good luck

[Jerry H]

I would install the bolts into the 44 barrel and try it before I did anything to them, good luck

Good advice, I had already thought of that just because the bolt would not work in the 3030 does not mean that it won't work in the 44.

It appears that both barrels will fire now. I will find out for sure tomorrow when I can burn some powder and put a little pressure on the frame.

[Jerry H]

I got rained out yesterday so I did not go to the range until today.

Both barrels went kaboom 5 for 5. I did not have to do anything to the either of bolts other than switching them.


Thanks for everybody's help.

[Dezynco]

Good for you!  Keep this little trick in mind if you ever pick up a good used barrel that won't lock up and fire or the hammer won't cock.  If you ever have to resort to polishing the locking bolts, the task is not too hard.  Just polish and knock the corners over just a bit to make it click into the frame properly.

I knew about this trick before I ever bought my first Contender barrel, a Super 14 30-30.  It would not lock up and the hammer would not cock.  I polished the bolts and made it work perfectly!  It's my best shooter, giving me nice little 1-hole groups at 100 yards most of the time!  I can't shoot a rifle that well!  If I hadn't known about the locking bolts, I would have passed this barrel on to someone else!