CONTENDER EXTRACTOR TOO THIN WON'T SHOOT?

[ilv2hnt]

:? I just purchased a 21" 7mm TCU barrel that is one of the old 1 lug barrels, I got this off of EBAY.  The barrels like absolutely BRAND NEW  barely has the normal frame rubs and you have to look real hard to even see it then.  

I reloaded a few shells and went to shoot it up my fathers.  When I went to fire it it just snapped.  I opened it up and the primer was barely even dimpled.  I closed it up tried again same thing.  I then tried it again and it still wouldn't fire, I tried several different ones to the same avail.  

I also had my g2 223 with me so I took barrel off of the contender frame and put on the G2,   and it wouldn't even let the trigger come back on it but it would break it down properly, took it back off and put it back on the G2 same thing,   so I tried one of my dads frames and it owuldn't even let the hammer come down on the firing pin on that frame.

 We closely examined it compared to my 223 barrel and it looks as if the extractor is thinner,  put a shell in it and it let the shell go into the chamber well below flush of it, unlike the 223 that stayed out of the chamber a little ways.

HELP ME PLEASE ANY IDEAS WHY THIS IS DOING THIS, AND WOULD TC FIX IT AND HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE THEM TO DO IT??  IF IT IS THE EXTRACTOR WOULD THEY SEND ME ANOTHER ONE?? :x

[Buford]

it is probably the locking lugs need to be fit or replaced.  Call T/C and explain things them.  They will send you the lugs for free and they are simple to put in.  They are great folks to work with.  If you have to send it to them, they will (normally) get it right back to you.

[ilv2hnt]

:shock: Does anyone have their number or can I get it on the website?  What are their hour of operation?

thanks
Mike

[Lone Star]

You can save yourself a lot of waiting time by going to this site and typing in Thompson Center Arms:

http://www.google.com

[Chuck White]

ilv2hnt

Hope this helps you out!



     Currently, Thompson/Center Arms is not accepting email as a method of support for our products. If you wish to contact us for support please send your inquiry to our mailing address:

Thompson/Center Arms Co., Inc.
P.O. Box 5002
Rochester, NH 03866

Our shipping address for repairs is:

Thompson/Center Arms
Farmington Rd
Rochester, NH 03867

Or you can call us at: 603-332-2333, or fax us at: 603-332-5133

[ilv2hnt]

I called TC and they said it was probably the locking lugs, but they would not ship these to anyone not even my gunsmith, liability purposes!!!!

I don't understand how the lugs would make the extractor set too deep into the chamber as I visually checked a 223 one lug barrel that I have that has not been changed over is still original with the tcu barrel!!

Can someone explain this to me!!!!?

The tcu set well below flush and the same brass I fired in the 223 barrel would sink well below flush on the tcu barrel :?  :?  :oops:

[bknight]

Part of your problem sounds like a headspace issue.  The extractor is not supposed to hold the rim of the cartridge for the firing pin to hit the primer.  The shoulder of the case is what is supposed to determine how far the cartridge fits/slides into the chamber.  

Your comment that "put a shell in it and it let the shell go into the chamber well below flush of it, unlike the 223 that stayed out of the chamber a little ways." idicates that you have sized your brass too much.  

Since the firing pin did dent the primer, although slightly, sounds like the locking lug was working correctly on that frame, but your cartridges aren't headspacing properly.

Try sizing your brass so that the action just closes on a sized case.  Do this by backing out your sizing die, sizing a case, and trying it in the chamber.  If the action won't close, screw in the sizing die 1/8 of a turn, resize and try again.  Repeat until the action just closes on a sized case.  

Then check for function by priming the case and trying to fire a live primer.   Of course treat as a loaded round, keep gun pointed downrange, ear protection, etc.  If the primer fires, then you will know that the problem was a headspace problem.

Hope this helps.

Brad

[ilv2hnt]

I put a live factory round 223 in this barrel and it wouldn't even fire, I was originall trying brand new brass that had just been resized to the 7 tcu, not even been fireformed, and then I tried a fireformed one from my pistol ammo all would dent the primer but wouldn't fire, if it was headspace problem I would think that the 223 round would have fired as I have done that before but only once or twice in my 14".  But I really don't know the reason that is why I am on this forum asking for help :oops:

[Reed1911]

A standard .223 casing should NOT headspace properly since the shoulder is completely in the wrong place. Since you are using new brass, seat your bullets out long (this will take some trial and error) and inset them into the barrel, keep increasing the seat depth until you are just able to get the gun to close by snapping it smartly (not snapping it like you are trying to break it, but a good stiff close). This will keep the bullet seated on the lands and the head of the brass against the breachface. You'll want to use starting loads for this since it is a new barrel for you. Feel free to e-mail me if you need help or call us.