A little Contender Help Please...

[ftw]

  I bought a used .44 mag barrel for my newer Contender frame. It would pop open sometimes when firing. The bolt looked either worn or "modified" so I called T/C and bought a new bolt.

I just installed it. I can close the barrel normally and hear the bolt lock up but the hammer won't fall all the way as if the interlock safety is not being activated. I can shut it harder and everything works fine. The barrel to frame fit seems OK as I can close it easily and hear the bolt lock about the time the barrel closes. It does not seem as if the barrel is dragging on the frame face.

Should I shoot it a while and hope everything settles in or should I do something with it? Reckon this is just normal for a new part?

I am planning on getting to the range tomorrow to shoot it and I think the popping open may be solved but I will know for sure then.
Thanks!

[Keith L]

Nearly all my barrels needed their bolts polished prior to them working well.  Sounds like you won't have to remove much.  I use a hard Arkansas stone, and if it is as close as yours I bet you can remove enough from the bolt without removing it from the barrel.  Polish a little and try it, polish and try etc. until things work.  Be sure and remove filings and dust between each polishing before trying it in the frame.

[OLDHandgunner]

Agree with Keith L. Many of my barrels have had this same problem. Your barrel is very close to working if it works when you close the action harder.
Good Luck

[Steve P]

Use a good lube like Tetra gun grease on the top of the lugs.  Open and close it a few times and see where the great lines up on the locking lugs.  Are you getting a line of grease at least half way up that half circle formed by the lugs?  See any stuttering? One lug with line higher than the other?  One lug not clean and shiny prior to the grease line?  If any of the above occur, polish the 3 degree angle on the top of the lugs with very fine stone or dremel polishing wheel and try the grease again.  Repeat until the grease lines up and you have shiny lugs on either side of the lower (closest to frame) half of that half circle.
With a little experience, you can fit a barrel like that in 10 minutes or less.

Steve

[ftw]

Thanks to all for the information. I shot it about 40 times today. It stayed locked but still needed a firm close.

I will try some of the ideas from here.