When I got home from work today I found that UPS had delivered my rifle back from the factory.
They solved the lockup problem it now locks up just fine. They told me over the phone last tuesday that they replaced the barrel catch. I think they also relieved the cut in the barrel lug where it fits the cross pin, since there is now noticable side-play in the barrel with the action open, there was none before. No visible light between the breech and the barrel when held up to a light. Nice crisp feel to the lockup as it's closing, too.
They did a trigger job, it's a bit lighter and very crisp with no creep that I can feel. I don't have a gauge so no number on the weight but the trigger isn't why I sent it back; a bonus I guess.
The chamber will accept my handloads with .380 diameter bullets; they won't drop in but the action closes on them without undue force, and fired cases fly out of the chamber upon opening. I didn't spend much time setting up my seater in the press, so my loads in new cases showed a pronounced bulge, a bit off-center. Still, they'd chamber, albeit the ones with more off-center seated bullets had to be pressed into the chamber with a bit of thumb before the action could be closed. These few still popped out smartly after being fired.
A round made using a fired, un-resized case showed no "coke bottling" bulge after the bullet was seated, and chambered fine. The bullet was snug in the case, but could be turned by hand. I'll experiment with sizing as I work out loads.
I haven't taken any measurements since I was pressed for time, but all in all, I'm a happy camper!!
Now for some load development.
