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Offline JD HHI 6092®

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Hard to open frame
« on: November 10, 2006, 04:07:11 AM »
I have a SS frame that I need to really squeez the trigger spur to get the action open.  This happens with both my custom SSK barrels and factory barrels; all have split lugs.  Any idea what might be causing this? 

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Offline Gavinator

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Re: Hard to open frame
« Reply #1 on: November 10, 2006, 09:55:02 AM »
 Is this only after firing a round, is this happenning when opening the action with an unfired round chambered, or is it hard to open even when the chamber is empty?
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Offline JD HHI 6092®

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Re: Hard to open frame
« Reply #2 on: November 10, 2006, 12:52:01 PM »
Does it all the time, when it's empty or with either a fired or unfired case in the chamber. 
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Offline Gavinator

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Re: Hard to open frame
« Reply #3 on: November 11, 2006, 09:58:25 AM »
 Is your trigger guard hard to pull form the start, or does it start to move and then get hard to finnish opening the action?
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Offline JD HHI 6092®

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Re: Hard to open frame
« Reply #4 on: November 11, 2006, 02:06:33 PM »
Hard pull all the way threw.
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Offline Gavinator

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Re: Hard to open frame
« Reply #5 on: November 11, 2006, 08:33:43 PM »
 I think the trigger guard stop is too tight. Remove the grip and access from the top side. There needs to be a little play. If this doesn't take care of it PM me.
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Offline JD HHI 6092®

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Re: Hard to open frame
« Reply #6 on: November 12, 2006, 01:18:34 PM »
Looks like that did it along with backing the grip screw out 1 turn. 

THANKS!
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Offline 7mmtcu

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Re: Hard to open frame
« Reply #7 on: November 13, 2006, 04:42:51 PM »
Hope I can jump into this thread also....I am having a problem opening my early Contender also but with a little different circumstance. This is an early frame serial # 15xxx. I have only factory barrels. I tried to use my 10" 22lr and I am unalbe to open the action with an empty chamber, no matter how hard I squeeze. I have to remove the hinge pin and basically remove the barrel to clear the lockup. I have a 14" 44mag barrel that works fine. Looking closely, the only difference I can see between the barrels is that the block of steel that has the hinge pin hole in it(sorry I don't know what that part of the barrel is called) has a step toward the rear on the bottom and the 44 mag barrel that works does not. I think this thicker block of steel may be keeping the trigger guard from coming all the way up when squeezed, therefore not releasing the bolt from the frame. I can attach pictures if necessary.
Any help would be greatly appriciated!
Thanks, ???
Dean
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Offline Gavinator

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Re: Hard to open frame
« Reply #8 on: November 14, 2006, 02:08:09 PM »
Quote from: JD HHI 6092® on November 12, 2006, 01:18:34 PM
Looks like that did it along with backing the grip screw out 1 turn. 

THANKS!

 Sure, is that a Pachmyer grip?

 7mmTCU, does the 22lr barrel have the split locking bolts or the one piece on it?
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Offline 7mmtcu

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Re: Hard to open frame
« Reply #9 on: November 14, 2006, 03:15:15 PM »
Yes, it is a Pachmyer grip and yes, all the barrels have split locking bolts. The lock up occurs with the grip off the frame also.
I tried to find out a little history about the different versions of the early Contender by calling TC but the Lady did on the phone could not provide any information. Tonite I compared the trigger gaurd top section on my 94xxx serial number frame and there is definately some difference in the design, subtle but obvious. Added note, all of the barrels fuction properly on the 94xxx frame.
Attached is a picture of the frame and the two 44 mag barrels to compare the difference in the bolt area(missing step).
Thanks,
Dean


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Offline Shots TCs

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Re: Hard to open frame
« Reply #10 on: November 14, 2006, 04:50:43 PM »
From your pictures, you have the "Old Style Contender" where the trigger guard has it's pivot to the front of the guard... This is known as the "Hard to open style". The later Contenders had the trigger guard pivot pin more in the center, and these are known a "Easy Open style"....

Now the step in the "Lug" bottom was added for extra strength in the "Locking Bolt" slot.. and will have no affect on the opening of the barrel....

If you have the "Split Locking Bolts" with the "Dog Bone", that is you can wiggle it around in it's slot in locking bolts...This should be replaced with the latest style of locking bolts where the ears on the sides are machined in the bolt...much better, and should fix your problem...

It has fixed many for my customers....

The best thing is to send your frame to TC for a upgrade to the "Easy Open" and ask for a set of the newest style "Locking Bolts"....

Or just get some new style Locking Bolts...easy to change....

Jim
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Offline Gavinator

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Re: Hard to open frame
« Reply #11 on: November 14, 2006, 09:12:12 PM »
 As for the Pachmyer grip, the early ones had no pocket for the hammer spring to extend into when relaxed (fired) and guys would only get 200 rounds off before it broke after putting on these grips. New model grips have been changed. Look for the hammer spring to have clearence from the grip with the hammer down on the firing pin, not on the saftey ledge.
 7TCU, with the hinge pin out can you tell if the trigger guard contacts the locking lugs first or the barrel lug? A piece of clay could also be used to confirm clearance.
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Offline tigmaned

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Re: Hard to open frame
« Reply #12 on: November 15, 2006, 01:06:45 AM »
If you have the "Split Locking Bolts" with the "Dog Bone", that is you can wiggle it around in it's slot in locking bolts...This should be replaced with the latest style of locking bolts where the ears on the sides are machined in the bolt...much better, and should fix your problem...

so the split locking bolts are the old style and not that good?? i have a fairly new 223 rem carbine barrel with the split bolts, when did they start with the machined ones???? and should i change mine out?
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Offline RonF

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Re: Hard to open frame
« Reply #13 on: November 15, 2006, 05:29:50 AM »
I think this is a clearance problem with the stepped lug barrel and has nothing to do with the bolt style.  I first encountered this problem on a frame in the 25xx range.  Changing to a later trigger guard assembly from a 43xxx range frame solved that problem, but I returned the gun to its original configuration because of the early number and its excellent condition.  Now I use stepped barrels on later frames, either this 43xxx one or the easy open ones or the G2.  I have several frames of various ages, and it has been VERY rare that I have had to change bolts; I know it happens, but it seems to happen only rarely to me - lucky, I guess.  Anyhow, I don't think changing the bolts is going to make that stepped lug barrel fit on this early frame you have.

RonF
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Offline 7mmtcu

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Re: Hard to open frame
« Reply #14 on: November 15, 2006, 02:16:11 PM »
Talked to T/C again today about this issue. This time I think I got to a Tech that was familar with my situation. They told me that this frame required a one piece bolt and would not work with any two piece bolt. Well, as I said before it does operate properly with the 44 mag without the step on the bottom of the lug. When I told the tech this he told me that it would not operate properly and may open when firing. I am no expert but it seems to close up just like my other frame when mated with this particular barrel. But then again I have not fired it....go figure! Their answer was to send it in to be converted to EO.  I not sure that is what I want to do.

RonF, I think your solution is a possibility...at least it keeps the frame unmodified.

Gav, Thanks for the advice, I sent the message.

Regards,
Dean
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