Author Topic: STICKY BARREL (Read 677 times)

KN · « **on:** May 08, 2003, 12:03:56 PM »

I have a 357 mag barrel that does not like to open after firing full house loads. I have looked it over and can see nothing wrong with the barrel or frame. It has the split lugs, and the frame is newer in the 350000 range. This is the only barrel that does this on this frame. My 44mag, 35rem,223,22lr,17hmr, all work fine. I checked the screw that holds the breach face in and its tight. Like I said it only does it after firing. I can feel the lugs push back but it doesn't pop up like it should unless you pull the trigger guard 2 or 3 times. Then it works fine untill you fire it again. My brass falls out so I know it's not sticking. What am I missing? KN

Graycg · « **Reply #1 on:** May 08, 2003, 04:40:10 PM »

Sir,
I'm no expert, but take a look at the little roller pin that is enclosed within the locking lugs. Are the ends of this roller pin munged up? If one or both of them is mugned up, you will have the problems you described. Can't guarantee that is your issue, but that happened to me once and when replaced, the barrel worked just fine.

hope it helps,
regards,
Graycg

KN · « **Reply #2 on:** May 08, 2003, 05:31:44 PM »

I didn't see any thing wrong with the pins but I'll look again. KN

Bug · « **Reply #3 on:** May 09, 2003, 03:50:29 AM »

You might try LIGHTLY stoning the lower face of the slot where the bolts (locking lugs) slide. The idea is not to remove any metal, just to slick it up. Also, check the bolts' lower face, their shafts, the spring, and the hole for the spring for burrs. While you're doing this, go ahead & take out the extractor, and give everything a good cleaning and, if necessary, light polishing. Lastly, lube lightly with your favorite lube & reassemble. From the more knowledgeable people on this board, like Gramps, most problems can be attributed to lack of COMPLETE cleaning. Hope it helps,,,,,,,,,,,Bug.

helobill · « **Reply #4 on:** May 11, 2003, 05:03:20 AM »

Had the same prob with one barrel, didn't matter which frame it went on. Bolts were too high, they were engaging enough to let the gun shoot, but when it shot they engaged further making it really hard to get it to open. Felt like I was pushing the bolts back, but I wasn't. Try really snatching the trigger guard back after shooting and that will be an indication of the problem. Also without shooting, try snapping the barrel closed (empty) and see if it's harder to open, or after closing normally push up on the end of the barrel and see if the bolts engage further. TC makes a number of different height bolts and will normally exchange yours for a slightly lower set at little to no cost. You can do it yourself if you're handy with a stone or diamond file. Don't want them to get too smooth or if they don't engage fully you'll have the other extreme which is the barrel flying open when shot. Only article I've seen on the web about this was on Bellm's web site...wish some other gunsmiths would post some technical articles but if they do, I haven't found them (always good to have more than one opinion). Also search this web site, this topics been discussed quite a bit. "contender won't fire" "won't unlock" "sticky action" or stuff like that.
Helicopter Bill

KN · « **Reply #5 on:** May 13, 2003, 11:55:52 AM »

I think I got my problem fixed. I measured the length of the lugs from the bolt face to the end and they were .020" longer than any of my other barrels. Shortened them up to the same length and it works fine. Shot 15 rounds through it and no problem. I guess the lugs were not retracting quite far enough and was keeping it from opening. KN