Author Topic: wobbly barrel contender (Read 833 times)

Archie · « **on:** December 31, 2003, 04:09:09 PM »

I just received and new 23" 223 bbl for my contender. When I attached it to the frame there is a little wobble left to right. I never noticed the wobble with any pistol bbls. It this normal, Is this just more noticable because of the longer bbl. The gap between the end of the bbl and the frame is .004. Any help appreciated.

444encore · « **Reply #1 on:** December 31, 2003, 04:22:11 PM »

Archie,
Send it back. I know it suck's waiting so long for a barrel just to send it back, but if it wobbles it need's replacing.

Bullseye · « **Reply #2 on:** December 31, 2003, 05:45:14 PM »

I would think it should not wobble. I just got one for Christmas, I will put it on the frame Saturday and see how it fits. When I had it on last week I do not remember any wobble but I do know it opened and closed nice and easy.

Flash · « **Reply #3 on:** January 01, 2004, 04:32:37 AM »

Whew, the pressure on a 223 is up there pretty high for you to have any wobble. I had a frame years back that allowed any barrel to lock up tight but had a little wobble when opened. I didn't keep it long enough for the ink to dry on the transfer papers. The extra length of a 23" barrel will make any play exaggerated but if it's .004 as you said, this is too much. I have used a dollar bill(.004) to check the lock-up of double shotguns and if the bill would slide out when the barrels were closed, it didn't come home with me. My advice is to not even fire it and send it back. I am getting the impression that T/C is subcontracting it's work out since their fire. There is no reason why someone who records an employee number with their poor quality work, would remain employeed to repeat their irresponsibility.

doc-and · « **Reply #4 on:** January 01, 2004, 05:05:06 AM »

Check the width of the mounting lug on that barrel against your other barrels. See if it is undersize. Keep us posted on your findings.

doc-and

Paladin · « **Reply #5 on:** January 01, 2004, 10:39:05 AM »

I'll tell you now that i'm no engineer, but the only way the barrel can have wobble is if the mounting hole is to big or the pin to small. check and see if the pin is loose in the frame or the barrel or both. I think that to loose is not good , but I think to tight is not good either. I would try and determin what is the problem first and if it's the barrel I would send it back. being it is a new barrel. anyway good luck and hope it works out

quicksdraw45 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 01, 2004, 12:14:17 PM »

My encore 223 heavy barrel with the forend removed has a very slight amount of play in it , It is very accurate Though . same goes for 2 contender frames with 6 different barrels. I have not measured the play and I am sure at some point is would be a problem .
I have never checked barrel to frame gap on my encore but have on my contender and there is a thread on this subject in the pistol forum . I checked a 7 tcu barrel and on one frame it had a gap of .0015 and the other frame had a gap of .006 .

Tdot · « **Reply #7 on:** January 02, 2004, 06:02:25 AM »

Archie,
This is not as unusual as you might think, the pin hole is a little oversize and the longer length exagerates it. There is an easy fix and to cure this problem.
Go to http://www.bellmtcs.com and order the No. 1 over size pin. At least go there and read up on it before you send it back.
Your frame pin holes may be slightly oversize also making the problem more noticable. THIS WILL FIX BOTH PROBLEMS..
GOOD LUCK!! Jerry

cap'n bubbleoff · « **Reply #8 on:** January 02, 2004, 07:31:12 PM »

Don't know if it's from the same cause but I had this problem (locked-up bbl. wobble) on a 10" .357 bbl. It went away when I replaced locking lugs & spring. I still get fliers from this bbl. though?

quicksdraw45 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 03, 2004, 06:14:14 AM »

I have seen the talked over several times before and have only heard of one guy that got positve results from the oversize hinge pin and several reports of decreased accuracy .
DO NOT REAM ANY HOLES TO USE A OVERSIZE HINGE PIN . if you do it to a barrel or frame it has $0 resale value to %99 of the rest of us .
Bellm I belive has a few good Ideas but that one is not one of them.

Archie · « **Reply #10 on:** January 03, 2004, 12:52:57 PM »

Thanks for the all the help. Since my other bbls have no wobbly, even my H&R shot gun locks up tight with no gap between the frame and barrel, I am going to send it back. I let you all know how it goes with Thompson Center. I called several times Friday, but only got an answer machine. Maybe they are closed. I try again Monday.