file locking lugs?

[ruger438]

I recently bought a used 44 mag barrel and it will not lockup properly on my frame. If I dont slam it shut the barrel will just fall back open, and if i do slam it shut it doesnt lock up enough for the hammer to fall all the way although it will cock.

It appears something struck the rear of the right lug and lightly dented the top of the rear of that lug peening a little bump on the top surface of the lug. (I wish I could post a picture)



Would it be disastrous to lightly file the top of that lug until it locks in the frame? or is there another possible cause for not locking up?

I bought the frame very reasonable and it actually appears unfired, not even any frame marks. There is no way to contact the previous owner as it was purchased from an estate.

[Hopalong7]

     If the indention is a small area(a small 5-10% of the engaging surface area....Yes, I would file out the roughness, then polish the whole area lightly.  Check for fit as you go.  Having TC's excellent customer service behind you makes that decision a lot easier.  Keep us posted.
Walt

[Dezynco]

Yes go ahead, but be very careful not to remove too much material.  You want to POLISH not FILE the bump out.  I would drive out the pin that holds the locking bolts in, polish a little, put them back in and test.  Repeat until you get it right.

I have polished the lugs on 3 or 4 barrels, especially older barrels, to get them to lock up properly on my G2 Contender.  Just don't get carried away.

[ruger438]

well  I got the barrel to lock up!
 
As hard as that steel is  I cant see how it dented, it almost looked like a flaw in manufacturing. The real problem I saw was the two lugs were different heights across the top surfaces.

   Looking at the retaining pin I could see were someone had drifted it out and it  could have been several time as the lug retaining pin was dinged up some. I wonder if someone put a mismatched set of lugs back in?

 Anyway I filed the high lug down to match the lower lug and now it locks and the hammer drops every time.

I used a felt marker to color the surface for each check and slowly worked until it locked in to the top of the little u shaped cutout between the lugs. My other barrels lock just a little farther in than that, but I figure maybe it good enough for now, or at least until I run a bunch of shots though it.

As an aside it appears the muzzle crown is a little off and  I wonder if someone wasn't swapping lugs around to get the barrel to shoot well. who knows, we will find out when I shoot for accuracy