Ever Tried This?

[Bug]

The other day, while working up some new loadings, I had occasion to fire the same barrel on two different frames. I was quite surprised at the POI change. This got me to wondering, and I tried it with two other barrels. All showed some some change of POI when switched between frames. Group size didn't change significantly, just the impact point. For comparison's sake, the forearm & barrel were kept together. Anyone else had this happen? Or, is it just a peculiarity of this combination?>>>>Bug.

[Graycg]

Bug,
  You just found out why some folks get a dedicated frame for one barrel in competition...the rimfire barrels are especially notorious for changing the POI on different frames.  I don't know specifically why, but it happens.  You also probably noted that with changing forends on the same barrel and frame will also change POI sometimes.

regards,
 Graycg

[Ladobe]

Bug - Welcome to the world of TC's barrel lug bolts pard.   Would take pages to really explain all the ramifications they can cause (up to it Javelina ?), but basically how they lock up the barrel to the frame is your headspace with that particular barrel/frame combo.   With Thompson Center's not so perfect quality control  :oops: , the lug bolts are made in several "sizes", both plus or minus.   Few barrels come out of TC with matched bolts, which is OK since even fewer frames are concentric enough to be able to use matched bolts anyway.    This is probably good enough for the average recreational shooter or hunter, and why TC has got away with it for over 3 decades, but it is not good enough for the serious competion or long range varmint hunters of today.   For the ideal lock up (square to the breech face/correct headspace) the bolts would need to be fitted on each barrel for the particular frame it will be shot on.   Consistency is the name of the game for competition shooters, and critical to varminters shooting very tiny targets at extreme ranges.    Just one more valiable that can be mostly eliminated.   Anyone can do this "fitting" themselves if they have the supply of bolts in all sizes at their disposal - without that supply, gents like Jim Henry in Barstow, CA can do it, tune the frame and trigger in a matter of a few minutes (and for a very reasonable price BTW).   Jim does all my barrels and frames for me, and I dedicate several barrels to each frame that they were fitted to (planned ahead so most caliber/chamber combinations I would take on a particular outing can each be mounted on "its" frame).   Anyway, food for thought - YMMV naturally.

[Javelina]

Hey Bug & Ladobe,

First off, I won't have to crank out my usual "War & Peace" posting here because Ladobe has covered this ground just as I would have, and in a lot less time!   :-D

Secondly, I also have all my lugs done by Jim Henry as well as my triggers on both Contenders and Encores.  My personal advice is not to bother with this yourself unless you really want to be self-sufficient (certainly nothing wrong with that and you always save a few pesos!) and understand everything about your T/C's.  Jim Henry though, does them FAST, CHEAP and PERFECT the first time, so I say why not take advantage of his ability and service and end up with a premium result?

Thirdly, T/C pistols/carbines are certainly not cheap and this hobby/pursuit of ours does make us spend some money.  This situation notwithstanding, I decided quite a few years back to go with a dedicated frame for each barrel due to the way the locking lugs are as they come from the factory and various custom houses.  If it is in your budget (this sometimes means developing colorful purchase scenarios to mask the extent of your hobby from the wife!) I would say that's a good way to go.  The other option is to send each barrel with the frame that you will use it with to Jim Henry and let him fit them correctly.  In the long run, if accuracy is paramount (and I think it is to most folks), I believe you will benefit greatly from this effort.  There is really nothing I can think of that is quite as good as an accurate Contender or Encore - they are a thing of beauty.

You can contact Jim Henry at:

James D. Henry
32660 Amarylis Ave.
Barstow, CA  92311

Phone 760-253-4497

Ladobe - Good job bro'!  

Good and safe shooting to you all!

Javelina

[IronMonkey]

I have a number of barrels and two frames that were all fitted by Jim.  I love having a 6 ounce trigger!  He has also done the triggers on my colt 22 auto (don't ask him about that one.  He had to put new angles on the sear and striker.  The look on his face was one of 20 bucks was way too little to charge. )  and 2# trigger pull on my marlin 39 is great.  All around good guy.  Dan

[Bug]

Thanks, for the replies. I've only been on this board for a few months, but it really is surprising what you can learn.  :shock: I first came here looking for help with lockup/misfiring issues. I felt sorta like an unwanted stepchild :oops: , because every frame/barrel combination I came up with had to go back to T/C for fitting. Now I find that a lot of you suffer (?) with the same problems I do. And,you all have several ways of dealing with them. It's nice to know that you aren't alone, when you stumble upon a situation, and have a place where you can go to ask others who have not only been there and done that, but have already worn a hole in the T-shirt! Does Mr. Henry have a website?. I appreciate it, :grin: >>>>Bug.

[Ladobe]

Bug -  No, Jim doesn't have a web site (unless he's done one recently since we last communicated), but a quick call to him will get the ball rolling.   Drop him an email at least at tccraft1@earthlink.net and tell him Ladobe in Las Vegas said hello.   I'm lucky in that he comes to my area for the SHOT Shows every other year to set up shop for a few days, and quite often in between as he has a lot of friends here (most of the crowd I hang with at the gun club).    One of these mutual friends passes through Barstow about every 3 weeks going to southern CA to visit his daughter.  Lou hand carries any frames/barrels we need done to Jim on the way down - then picks them up on the way back.   As of last year, Jim is a full time smith so I know he welcomes all the work.   He still charges a paupers wage for it too on the TC's, and is by far the best Contender mechanic there is.   HTH

Ladobe

[Steve P]

I agree with use of Jim Henry.  He has worked on almost all of my barrels and frames at one time or another, and that is a lot.  I use fingernail polish to paint the last three numbers of the frame serial number on the side of the barrel lug.  This helps me make sure I get the fitted barrel on the correct frame every time.

Good luck,

Steve