Author Topic: Replacing a defective Contender barrel? (Read 1918 times)

Dwayne TX · « **on:** January 14, 2003, 06:37:03 AM »

I sent a Super 16 s/s barrel in 30-30 back to T/C because I couldn't get it to group at all. Got a call from T/C telling me that they couldn't figure the problem out and would replace the barrel. Good news to that point, but my only options in 30-30 are a s/s 14" or a blued 21". The only 16" s/s barrels they offered are 223 or 45-70 - have one and don't want the other. Should I press them to replace the exact barrel I sent them? I bought it new from Ed's and only shot about 25 rounds through it.

KN · « **Reply #1 on:** January 14, 2003, 07:50:51 AM »

If your shooting it as a pistol I would opt for the 14". If you want it for double duty then take the 21", make sure it shoots good, and then have it shortened and recrowned. Thats what I would do. Just my $.02 KN

Dwayne TX · « **Reply #2 on:** January 14, 2003, 07:53:22 AM »

So, I should just take whatever replacement they offer? Even if it's not the same finish or length or caliber? Then, spend more to get what I bought in the first place?

T/C nimrod · « **Reply #3 on:** January 14, 2003, 08:24:14 AM »

If T/C cannot replace what they sold you, and what you want is an exact replacement, maybe you can deal with them. I would ask if you could purchase that barrel lengh and caliber through a dealer like Virgin Valley (or any T/C custom shop) and have them pick up the bill. That would certainly make me happy.

Graybeard · « **Reply #4 on:** January 14, 2003, 08:39:12 AM »

T/C nimrod, now you know that ain't gonna happen and isn't reasonable to ask.

It is reasonable to expect a proper replacement from them. They could cut down a 21" to 16.25" for you. Or they can do one in the Fox Ridge Custom Shop to match what you have. Yes there is precendent for that I'd be willing to discuss off line with the original poster if you so desire.

GB

Dwayne TX · « **Reply #5 on:** January 14, 2003, 08:43:04 AM »

Thanks GB, I would like to hear what I can do.

please email me at dballard42@earthlink.net

T/C nimrod · « **Reply #6 on:** January 14, 2003, 09:20:49 AM »

I believe Fox Ridge was - or any custom shop - Not sure why you seem to attack my posts Greybeard. Calm down and take some time to READ! Here in PA. most production companies strive for customer satisfaction at any cost, and if you don't ask you'll never receive.

Gregory · « **Reply #7 on:** January 14, 2003, 12:52:47 PM »

On two occasions I've sent products to TC for repair and they sent me "replacements". That may make them happy but in the first case I sent in a four digit stainless Contender frame (which I thought when I bought it may be collectable when I'm old and gray) and the second I sent in a Thunderhawk barrel again with a four digit serial number, (and with a deer to it's credit) and they sent a whole new barrel. Obviously the replacements were no longer four digit serial numbers. Now I have to develop a load for the new Thunderhawk barrel. I didn't think the repair would have been that difficult.
Maybe I'm weird, but once I use a gun to take an animal or two I start getting more confidence in it, that confidence in the Thunderhawk is gone.
And I sold off the high serial number SS frame.

Greg

helobill · « **Reply #8 on:** January 14, 2003, 03:01:24 PM »

Ask for a full refund, use the money to buy a used barrel just like you want and use the extra money for your next barrel.
:wink:
Helicopter Bill

Old Syko · « **Reply #9 on:** January 14, 2003, 03:07:57 PM »

OK, DwayneTX states he returned a barrel that he couldn't get to shoot properly and wants a replacement, yet the barrel in question only has 25 rounds through it! Give me a break folks! I own pieces that took more than that for break in alone and am willing to bet everyone else here is in the same boat.

Did I read something incorrectly or is this the case?

Pie-bald · « **Reply #10 on:** January 14, 2003, 03:46:53 PM »

Gotta agree with you OLD SYKO

I keep all of my targets from all of my different guns in it's own seperate envelope. As I develope loads for each one I can go back and compare targets. I can show you 2 1/2" groups and with same barrel- same scope different loads I can show you damn near 1-hole groups. This is the fun of shooting and re-loading!!!! Finding out what each gun is capable of. 25 shots is not enough proof that the barrel is BAD!

Paladin · « **Reply #11 on:** January 14, 2003, 05:53:19 PM »

tell them to send the barrel back to you, you send it to me and I'll shoot it in for ya. may take a spell, say 15 or 20 years.

Dwayne TX · « **Reply #12 on:** January 14, 2003, 07:03:00 PM »

OK, you guys are so smart it's amazing. Obviously I have to justify all my statements. The rounds that were fired were a combination of factory rounds and reloads. They were fired with a scope of known quality. I could not get two rounds from the same batch within 6" of each other. If this barrel needs that much breaking in to keep from spraying bullets all over the map, I don't need any of their products. Since you're all obviously smarter than me would you guess why the repair tech at T/C agreed to replace the barrel so easily? Would you guess that by trimming and recrowning it, the problem was solved? Yeah, the barrel will shoot now, but it's too short to legally use in carbine configuration, so I don't need it. Now that I've justified returning the DEFECTIVE barrel, does anyone have any constructive comments?

Old Syko · « **Reply #13 on:** January 15, 2003, 02:14:37 AM »

EASY BIG BOY! Until your last entry no mention of repairs or eager replacement was made. How else would you expect a bunch of guys, who've shot thousands of rounds in load development to answer? By the way, I would advise against the purchase of a Ruger #1. :eek:

Dwayne TX · « **Reply #14 on:** January 15, 2003, 04:23:21 AM »

I got the inference that some of you guys didn't think I have a clue what I was doing. I thought I could get some information from people that deal with T/C and their products more than I have. It went from a question of how to get an exact replacement for what I sent back versus one they offered either in a different finish, caliber, or length to whether I sent a good barrel back. It seems the assumption was made that I don't know how to develop loads or break in a barrel, not to mention the offer to do what I'm not capable of. Yeah, the last 3 posts offended me some, but I'll take it for what it's worth and stick to different forums.

Bullseye · « **Reply #15 on:** January 15, 2003, 01:43:53 PM »

Since they offer that barrel from the Custom Shop (Fox Ridge) I would throw a fit and speak to a higher up there and see if you can get them to make one. If your barrel is not usable now and they will not make one when they have the ability, then that is poor service and just not right.

GypsmJim · « **Reply #16 on:** January 16, 2003, 10:17:56 AM »

I'm just a newbie here, so I hope I don't offend anyone. (I AM an expert forum guy, though.) I thought that Dwayne asked a reasonable question and he most certainly got put down. Maybe you guys should re-read your posts and temper your comments a little. On most of the forums I read, the average guy just wants to help, not show how smart he is or be condescending.

Just MY $0.02.

Now a question re. a snide remark I didn't understand....What's wrong with a Ruger #1?

savageT · « **Reply #17 on:** January 16, 2003, 11:05:10 AM »

Gypsm Jim,

I think someone was trying to be "funny". The Ruger #1 is noted for having problems in the accuracy department....just another finicky filly :grin: .

Old Syko · « **Reply #18 on:** January 16, 2003, 03:58:40 PM »

Nothing (SNIDE) at all about the #1 remark. If it needs more explanation, the majority of folks who've actually owned and shot a few of them understand that they're normaly a lot of work to get to do what they are capable of. Have one right now that would barely stay on a dinner plate at 100 for the first few hundred rounds. Nowdays it's consistently under 1 moa. The second one I own was under 1 moa out of the box but this is the only one of many I've had over the years that came out ready to go.

savageT · « **Reply #19 on:** January 16, 2003, 04:17:58 PM »

Quote from: Old Syko

Nothing (SNIDE) at all about the #1 remark. If it needs more explanation, the majority of folks who've actually owned and shot a few of them understand that they're normaly a lot of work to get to do what they are capable of. Have one right now that would barely stay on a dinner plate at 100 for the first few hundred rounds. Nowdays it's consistently under 1 moa. The second one I own was under 1 moa out of the box but this is the only one of many I've had over the years that came out ready to go.

Question.......Why do buyers put up with Ruger's lousey quality control with a gun that is obviously supposed to be much better? It ain't a cheap 10/22 with make believe hardwood stock and plastic parts.........Why do we stand for it?

Old Syko · « **Reply #20 on:** January 16, 2003, 05:08:15 PM »

SavageT, that's a question I wish I could answer. For myself at least, I just can't stand to admit I can't get one to shoot. The 2 I have now are from the era of the early 70s and they're beautiful. If you or anyone else figures out why some of us subject ourselves to this insanity please fill me in.

I've always enjoyed a challenge but for the money involved with one of these things there should be no challenge to it.

Paladin · « **Reply #21 on:** January 16, 2003, 06:46:24 PM »

you wrote

"I bought it new from Ed's and only shot about 25 rounds through it."

get real, what did you expect?

GypsmJim · « **Reply #22 on:** January 17, 2003, 03:57:58 AM »

Quote from: Paladin

you wrote

"I bought it new from Ed's and only shot about 25 rounds through it."

get real, what did you expect?

What should he have expected?

I guess I'm going to expose my complete ignorance here, but there are some things in this thread that i just don't understand.

When a gun gets old the bbl can get shot out, or the crown ruined from improper cleaning. But, I guess i would have thought that a brand new bbl would be the best it ever could be (unless it's defective in the first place).

So, what happens when you "break in" a bbl. Do you wash out the oil from mfg?, or wear it down smoother?, or get the grooves leaded up? I do'nt get it. Someone please explain?

Next Q?, I always thought Ruger was tops. My personal experience is certainluy first rate, plus their Customer Service is outstanding. So, how did they get so bad all of a sudden?, or if they were always that way, hows come this is the firsrt time I ever heard of it? (I belong to a major NY club wiith over 2000 members and I've been active there for 25 years)

Dwayne TX · « **Reply #23 on:** January 17, 2003, 05:44:01 AM »

Paladin, what I expect from a brand-new barrel is that it will put rounds from the same load in the same vicinity or at the very least, not spray them all over the target. If this is so unreasonable, then how can Bullberry, Virgin Valley, etc, etc. guarantee their barrels to be accurate? Savage test fires their bolt guns so they will do an inch before they leave the factory? These barrels aren't "broken in" before they are test fired. Cooper sends a test target with their rifles, of which some are one-hole groups. Do they "break in" their barrels? Don't bring up the price factor, I'm not expecting a factory T/C 30-30 barrel to do that (ever), but when shots are moving 6" to 8" away from the previous one, that barrel is a lemon. If you notice a previous post TC agrees. In later conversations with the repair tech, he told me he trimmed the barrel down and recrowned it until it would shoot. I couldn't get him to specify whether it was the crown, rifling, or barrel.

Since I'm justifying myself along the way, I guess I should mention that I polish new barrels with Flitz before I fire them to help with the "break-in" process.

savageT · « **Reply #24 on:** January 17, 2003, 06:11:00 AM »

Dwayne,
I think everyone's hot-button got pushed on this one. You have every concern about your barrel. Please read what Cecil Epp has to say on his Precision Rifle/black powder site. Are you absolutely sure the problem is with the barrel? Not the forearm, barrel, receiver, trigger combination? Take a moment to read Cecil's experiences with the 209 X50 Encore. Yes, we're talking apples and oranges now, but just maybe a spark of truth to his words. Don't you think the entire assembly should be evaluated?

http://www.prbullet.com/encore.htm

Old Syko · « **Reply #25 on:** January 17, 2003, 04:18:14 PM »

SavageT, thanks for the link! It seems to explain a lot of what I've tried to elude to. I've had a habit over the years of picking up pieces that others claim were junk. 90% of the time, a few rounds, a little time, and some common sense, showed me a nice profit and the satisfaction that things weren't as bad as others thought. The down side of all this was, I had to load and shoot x number rounds to make a goal. Bummer!

My point is; Like in chasing other things in life, sometimes the chase is the most satisfying. The icing on the cake is to achieve success. If everything I ever bought was the best it could ever be right out of the box I'd just shoot pool, play cards, or whatever.

GypsmJim, Not real sure when Ruger became tops, but they seem to be all right in my book. Like all others, sometimes their QC needs help, but these #1s are a breed all to themselves which was the original point.

I hope GB don't throw me off the board for almost backing Ruger!

T/C nimrod · « **Reply #26 on:** January 17, 2003, 04:36:18 PM »

Dwayne - you have PM

Paladin · « **Reply #27 on:** January 17, 2003, 05:04:50 PM »

maybe you could give us a little more info, like how far are you shooting, what loads, ya shooting from a bench, what. but after rereading your posts to see if I missed something, I realized the posts became off topic.
excuse my sad cense of humor. do I unders that TC made your barrel shoot but ruined it for your purpose? I believe I would call the repair center and talk to the person in charge and try and work something out to my satisfaction. If this was done to me I wouldn't be a happy camper.

good luck with your problem, maybe they could cut down a 21 incher to a 16.25 and put a target crown on it . just a thought