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Author Topic: Uneven engaugement on latch shelf  (Read 400 times)

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Offline vincewarde

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Uneven engaugement on latch shelf
« on: September 09, 2005, 10:15:15 AM »
I recently picked up a really nice .223 barrel.  When I fitted it to my frame the gap is perfect (locks up tight on a .0015 feeler gauge) - but when I checked the latch shelf I have over 1/8" engagement - but only on the left half.  It doesn't look like the right side is contacting the shelf at all.
 
Should I worry about this?
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Offline quickdtoo

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Uneven engaugement on latch shelf
« Reply #1 on: September 09, 2005, 12:23:30 PM »
Vince, there are some helpful tips in this thread by Fred that should steer you in the right direction.

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=71251

I bought a used 17hmr Sportster that had a poor accuracy history. Upon shooting it, I noticed the barrel release was a bit stiff and the barrel had a slight gap at the standing breech after each shot. Upon smoking the shelf for latch engagement, it was similar to yours, but there was little latch enagement, so I honed the side that was hitting heavy until I had engagement all the way across and had more engagement depth. Since yours is already past 1/8" engagement, you may have to use Fred's advice of cleaning up the latch for more movement as described in the thread above. If that doesn't work, resurfacing the latch shelf and refitting it would be in order, I would think.
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Offline vincewarde

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My concern is........
« Reply #2 on: September 09, 2005, 12:49:12 PM »
My concern is that I have a perfect fit at this point - I just hate to mess it up if it isn't broken!
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Offline quickdtoo

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Uneven engaugement on latch shelf
« Reply #3 on: September 09, 2005, 12:54:16 PM »
If it were mine, I'd shoot it first and see how it goes. It may shoot fine, it would be a shame to fix it if it isn't broke!! :eek:
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Offline trotterlg

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Uneven engaugement on latch shelf
« Reply #4 on: September 09, 2005, 01:53:34 PM »
It is a light load for the rifle, I just hosed up a new barrel doing latch work, so shoot yours first before you touch the latch.  It is very easy to run out of latch travel and end up with a biger problem.  How much free play does the latch release have when the barrel is properly latched?  Larry
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Offline vincewarde

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More info.....
« Reply #5 on: September 09, 2005, 03:08:04 PM »
There is some free play when the action is closed - but not much.  It takes a great deal of travel to open the action.  The action locks up good and tight.  If I had not smoked the latch shelf, I would not be at all worried.
 
BTW, it looks like the original frame was contacting in the same area - so it looks like it came from the factory this way.
 
Any additional thoughts would be appreciated!
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Offline vincewarde

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Update.............
« Reply #6 on: September 10, 2005, 10:05:38 AM »
Well, I just wasn't comfortable with what appeared to be a tiny amount of engagement - so I honed the shelf.  I worked on the high spot, going very slowly and checking often.  Gradually the egaugement increased until I had about 2mm on the right and 2.5mm on the left.  I still wasn't comfortable with what seemed like a tiny amount of engagement - so I continued very carefully.
 
After taking a very small additional amount I smoked the shelf and checked engagement - and boy was I surprised!  The engagement was now all the way to the end of the shelf!
 
Of course, I was concerned about lock up.  How tight would the action be?  Thankfully, it still closed on my .0015 feeler gauge and this gauge could not be pulled out - so I think I'm fine!
 
Thanks to all who helped!
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Offline quickdtoo

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Uneven engaugement on latch shelf
« Reply #7 on: September 10, 2005, 10:18:16 AM »
Glad it worked out for ya, be sure to give us a range report when ya get to it!! :wink:
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