Barrel Fitting-Latch Issue

[rezz]

Yes, I have read the Faqs but......
Still not sure where to start.
The barrel I just got seems to fit good and tight at the breech but the latch lever does not come all the way up like it does with my other barrel. This seems to result in a weak latching condition.

What needs done to the 'new' barrel to get it to latch up good?

I read about facing up the barrel at the breech end but since there is a tight fit I'm not sure if that is what needs doing and don't want to file it down and end up having to shim things up.

Edit:
I'm thinking the work needs to start here:

Clean, then smoke the latch shelf on the barrel with a candle, then mount the barrel and close the action, you should have no more than .080" latch engagement on the latch shelf as shown by the mark in the smoked shelf. If it barely engages, hone the latch shelf on the barrel with a stone to remove some metal and smooth the surface, check it again, continue until you get good engagement, but not too much, if you use up the travel of the latch, the barrel will be loose.

Am I in the ballpark?

[quickdtoo]

My barrel fitting instructions cover that specifically and how to check it, but the fit to the breech needs to be done first and checked with feeler gauge blades.

Tim

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/smf/index.php/topic,82412.0.html

[rezz]

Thanks Tim,
I editted the post while you were replying and think I get the idea.
Was just not sure if the barrel should be faced if the fit is tight.

[quickdtoo]

Yup, that works!! 



If the barrel face is flat and a factory round is flush with the barrel face, you don't need to do anything to the barrel face, that's only if the cartridge is recessed slightly and the barrel face is not flat.

[quickdtoo]

I edited the instructions to make that part about the barrel face a little more clear.

Tim

[rezz]

By Gar, I believe I have got it.
She's latching up much better now.
Thanks again Tim, I was just a little nervous.
My first time you know.

[quickdtoo]

Glad ya got it whipped!!!

Tim

[rezz]

FYI
I took a whetstone and rubbed it across the face of the latch shelf, tried the fit, compared it to my other barrel and just kept whittling a little at a time until the release lever seems about the same height as when my factory barrel was locked up tight. Wasn't that difficult and not much metal is actually removed. It just takes a hair or 2.

Tim, I went with a Mueller scope. Got the 4-16 AO Tactical Mil Dot with the illlumunated reticle. Looks sharp and mounted it with Burris SigZees. Not much hammer clearance, but enough with a little figuring.
Hopefully it will do the job. Might get to try this weekend since the forecast sounds decent.