Author Topic: G1/G2 BARRELS (Read 1985 times)

luckydawg13 · « **on:** March 10, 2010, 05:59:25 AM »

OK A G2 Barrel will work on a G1 frame right

yooper77 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 10, 2010, 06:14:51 AM »

Yes all the G2 barrels will fit the older Contender frames and versus, but not the muzzleloader barrels I have heard.

yooper77

luckydawg13 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 10, 2010, 06:46:26 AM »

thanks

Dezynco · « **Reply #3 on:** March 11, 2010, 01:00:51 AM »

Some of the older barrels might need the locking bolts to be polished up a bit for them to snap into the G2 frame. Easy to do.

Bullseye · « **Reply #4 on:** March 11, 2010, 03:28:45 PM »

Right on with the locking lugs needing some work. I have a new G2 that not one of my 8 older barrels will allow the G2 frame to cock, but my two newer G2 barrels will.

I have not worked on the lugs any yet. This G2 frame is going to be dedicated to one barrel so I might just call TC and get some newer lugs.

I seem to be the only one that feels this way, but this problem with older barrels working on a G2 with some work or new lugs is crap. They say they are interchangable and they should be. If not they should say interchangable with some modifications required for older barrels. I say call it like it is. I have not measured but the new lugs on what they call the G2 barrels look bigger than the older lugs.

Keith L · « **Reply #5 on:** March 12, 2010, 12:18:11 AM »

Quote from: Bullseye on March 11, 2010, 03:28:45 PM

I seem to be the only one that feels this way, but this problem with older barrels working on a G2 with some work or new lugs is crap. They say they are interchangable and they should be. If not they should say interchangable with some modifications required for older barrels. I say call it like it is. I have not measured but the new lugs on what they call the G2 barrels look bigger than the older lugs.

Having to polish the locking bolts is a long standing practice for best barrel fit. It was going on long before there was a G2. To get the best performance and safety from this firearm a good fit is essential. TC will fit them for you at no cost if you can't handle it.

Most of us enjoy being able to get the most from our Contenders. It is all part of the fun. If you find it "crap" then perhaps Contenders aren't for you.

Bullseye · « **Reply #6 on:** March 12, 2010, 03:09:55 AM »

Well thanks for that info Keith. I guess the 20+ barrels I have had for my Contenders have never been safe or shot their best because I never had to polish the lugs to get them to work.

By the way, I can handle it I just do not think you should have to based on TC's claim that they all fit no problem. I was giving an opinion based on that and I really do not think the tone of your post is very friendy and you are the moderator.

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 12, 2010, 06:38:19 AM »

I would challenge anyone to name another switch barrel system that has produced firearms in anywhere near as many calibers and configurations and maintained the quality level at a reasonable price and has had the popularity for well over 40 years that Thompson Center Arms has accomplished.

Walt

Keith L · « **Reply #8 on:** March 12, 2010, 01:19:45 PM »

Quote from: Bullseye on March 12, 2010, 03:09:55 AM

Well thanks for that info Keith. I guess the 20+ barrels I have had for my Contenders have never been safe or shot their best because I never had to polish the lugs to get them to work.

By the way, I can handle it I just do not think you should have to based on TC's claim that they all fit no problem. I was giving an opinion based on that and I really do not think the tone of your post is very friendy and you are the moderator.

You shared your opinion, I shared mine. I think I have as much right to mine as you do to yours.

skb2706 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 13, 2010, 04:50:54 AM »

Been workin with and shootin Contenders since the mid seventies....never heard of a barrel being designated G1 or G2 until now. Since my very first octagon barreled 22 lr right up thru my brand new 7-30 SS bull barrel there has always been the chance you might have to either change out or tune up locking bolts to get a good lock up. It was not frame specific.

BCB · « **Reply #10 on:** March 13, 2010, 08:39:16 AM »

I recently purchased a 22 LR Match and it would not lock shut on any frame that I have—period…

The plastic container that had the new barrel (What happened to the nice boxes?) says “G2 CONTENDER and the Old-Style CONTENDER Accept the same barrels”…

Maybe so, but no now where on the box does it say you might have to change lock bolts or “work” the lock bolts with a stone, or request new ones…

I requested new ones FOUR (4) times, via ‘phone—long wait each time--until I finally got a set sent my way. They indicated they do not send them anymore and that I would get mine since I was ignored and lied to 3 times previously. All the chicks with the first 3 calls said they would be sent the same day—Bulls**t…

I replaced the lock bolts and it still won’t lock up on all of my receivers; yet the advertisement says it is to do so…

I am done with new T/C stuff and maybe all of it. There a too many glitches with all of their stuff. The older stuff I have works very well and I never had a problem until I tried new stuff…

Many will disagree with this writing, but if one thinks it is O.K. to have to alter something to get it to function, then the product is not as advertised—period. And as long as people accept these standards, T/C will continue—what do they have to loose as quality control is much more expensive than knowing shooters will manipulate the lock bolts to make them work…

Just my opinion and I am dang straight stickin’ to it…

Bye, bye new stuff from T/C…

BCB

Keith L · « **Reply #11 on:** March 13, 2010, 10:59:26 AM »

I say again, the fitting of locking bolts has been needed since long before the new owners and the G2 have been around. As long as I have been shooting Contenders I have changed or fitted locking bolts. I don't mind it, but I like working on guns. Like I said before, if that is a problem for folks then maybe they would be happier with other guns. I don't have a brand to offer because I have tinkered with all the ones that I own.

BCB · « **Reply #12 on:** March 13, 2010, 12:04:40 PM »

I bought a water pump for my Dodge truck—it fit without alterations…

I bought a headlight for my Harley—it fit without alterations…

I bought batteries for a flashlight—they fit without alterations…

I bought a pair of socks—they fit without alterations…

I bought a RCBS Rock Chucker press—it worked without alterations…

I bought a Lyman 358429 mold—it worked without alterations…

I bought ½ dozen Ruger handguns—they worked without alterations…

I bought a Dutch Oven-—it worked without alterations…

I bought a case of beer—it worked without alterations…

And on and on and on. Could list examples all day long...

My point is that I have about a dozen Super 14” barrels and I HAVE NEVER had problems with any of them locking to any of the 3 frames I have—why, they are old equipment and probably better quality or at least there was better quality control. The locking bolts are 2-piece with the roller, NOT the 2-piece with the nubs in place of the roller. Cheapening them for sure…

The new Super 14” in 22 LF Match has been nothing but problems. I got new locking bolts for it and it will still only work on one (1) frame…

My LAST new stuff from T/C. Their quality has diminished as far as I am concerned—period…

BCB

Keith L · « **Reply #13 on:** March 13, 2010, 02:21:47 PM »

Quote from: BCB on March 13, 2010, 12:04:40 PM

My point is that I have about a dozen Super 14” barrels and I HAVE NEVER had problems with any of them locking to any of the 3 frames I have—why, they are old equipment and probably better quality or at least there was better quality control. The locking bolts are 2-piece with the roller, NOT the 2-piece with the nubs in place of the roller. Cheapening them for sure…

So, you never had to change any of the old, one piece locking bolts, ones that didn't even work all that well in the old frames. You never had any of the three or four size bolts that were used with the original Contenders and had to be matched to the frames.

You must be one of the luckiest people to ever have Contenders, since you have so many.

Congratulations.

BCB · « **Reply #14 on:** March 13, 2010, 02:43:02 PM »

Thank-you very much Keith L...

I appreciate the recognition...

BCB

Curtis · « **Reply #15 on:** March 14, 2010, 01:28:06 AM »

While I am not as passionate as some seem to be on this subject, my experience with single lug barrels is that mine work flawlessly on all three of my older frames ('79 to '81 vintage). Out of my eight barrels, my octagon 256 win mag, octagon 44 mag, and 10" bull 22rf are single lug.

I can understand Keith's enjoyment for tuning. I once had the same passion about brass forming, but admittedly it is not as fun for me as it used to be. I would be hesitant however, to relegate the Contender platform to "tinkerers only". Some revolver tuners love to time their arm to the nth degree, but I would not appreciate being berated by one of them for complaining that my revolver came from the factory out of time. I'd rather shoot than worry about drag marks on my cylinder, but I've seen some fine revolvers that deserve the pampering they get from their devoted owners.

I can also understand the sentiment that if a manufacturer claims fitment, that means without alteration. Otherwise, TC should just come clean and admit that "in rare instances some minor adjustment may be necessary at no expense to the customer" or something like that. I don't want to have to stone my lugs to make my pistol work, so any frames I might add to the collection will be of similar vintage. I know this is not a guarantee, but I think it weighs in my favor for not having to hassle with fitment problems. The only time my Contender has failed to properly lock up, my formed brass was at fault.

Curtis

Keith L · « **Reply #16 on:** March 14, 2010, 03:38:15 AM »

I bought my first Contender years ago from a guy who couldn't get it to work and I got it real cheap. It is a pre-easy open and had a .222 barrel on it and it wouldn't pop a cap. I called TC and they sent me locking bolts. So from the very first one I bought I have been accustomed to fitting. I do have a couple barrels with one piece bolts that work in all my frames also, but I have changed out quite a few, and polished more.

BCB buy some lottery tickets and tell us how the good life is <VBG>.

Slowpoke Slim · « **Reply #17 on:** March 14, 2010, 03:53:58 AM »

The only problem barrel I have is a 17 Rem carbine barrel. It's an older barrel, with the early split lugs. Stoning the lugs has gotten it to work ok on one frame, if I snap it shut smartly, but it doesn't work on the other frame at all. Both my frames are pre-easy open. All my other barrels, some early production, some current production, and a few custom bbls, work fine on both my frames.

I still need a set of new lugs for that 17 bbl, but I'm not going to rake TC over the coals for that. Life's too short, and this is just a hobby man, some of you guys need to relax and take a deep breath. This is supposed to be fun, isn't it?

BCB · « **Reply #18 on:** March 14, 2010, 04:55:58 AM »

I stand by my writing that seemed to have ruffled a few feathers—so be it…

My frames are early to mid-80’s and the barrels are from the same time period or maybe into the 1st years of the 90’s. So everything except the 22 LF Match have nearly 25 years of age or thereabout if my memery serves me correctly. The 22 LR Match was/is the problem…

Presently I have two 30-30’s, two 223’s, a 222, a 44 (converted to 445SM), a 357, a 45LC, a 7-30, a 22 Hornet and a 35 Remington. I have had other barrels of the same caliber as above as some came with frames I purchased and could not just purchase the frame as the individual wished to not try to sell 2 pieces as opposed to 1. Others I purchased dirt cheap and resold. So there is a partial list of barrels—past and present…

The 44 Magnum simply would not shoot to my standards so I sent it away, won’t say where and got an exemplary rechamber job. The 445SM shoot better than the 44 Magnum, staying at around 1.5”± at 100 yards most of the time…

The Rugers I have shot right out of the box. The Single-Six shoots 22 rimfire and has a 22 Magnum cylinder—changes nicely and shoots all of the time. Ruger seems to be able to get it right…

When I did get the 22 Match to lock-up, I couldn’t get the barrel to open again. I had to take the trigger assembly out and manually move the locking bolts to get the barrel to drop off—that is poor quality—period…

Maybe I have been fortunate as we hear stories of barrels that won’t open after closed, barrels that won’t lock-up, triggers that can’t be cocked. I only had the problem with the 22 Match—a new barrel…

I believe there might have been problems with the early stuff—in the beginning as they system was just being developed. Maybe since I purchased my stuff in the “middle” of the T/C history, or thereabout, it may have been the best years. I still say the new stuff lacks some quality as can be noted with my 22 LR Match barrel. OR, maybe that is just an exception, I don’t know…

I know I am done with the new T/C stuff as I said previously…

And Keith L, being the honest man that I am, I do play the lottery with consitency, daily and every week. I will say that I am not ahead of the game at the end of the year—no luck there. And I have been battling cancer the past 3 years—any luck there buddy?...

And finally Slowpoke Slim, I, as well as some other people, know that life can be short or greatly shortened. That is why I want something to perform, as advertised and indicated by the literature, when I purchase it and not 3 days down the road by having to correct someone’s errors or lack of concern…

BCB

Slowpoke Slim · « **Reply #19 on:** March 14, 2010, 05:43:32 AM »

BCB,

Without trying to sound like an *ss, you give yourself a little too much credit if you think you can possibly ruffle my feathers...

It isn't gonna happen.

Some years ago I was the gun manager for a Sportsman's Warehouse for a few years, not sure if you're familiar with them, but it was a "large box" store, not quite the size of Cabela's, but along the same type of store. We did a pretty brisk firearms business at the time, probably selling more guns in a week than most successful dealers hoped to sell in a few months. The reason for the ramble, is that with my job, quite a few guns would pass through my hands, literally by the 100's. I can tell you with all honesty that every single brand of firearm we carried had at least ONE bad apple pass through my inventory. I've seen Rem 700's with the bolt handles not brazed right, and the handle comes clean off the bolt when you open it, and barrels not timed to the actions so the sights were positioned correctly to the receivers. I've seen S&W's with bad barrels, and one cracked the frame when shooting factory ammo. I've seen Taurus revolvers that the cylinders wouldn't rotate. I've seen Rugers that the timing was so far off you couldn't get the cylinder to lock, and their semi autos with safeties that didn't work. I've seen Win 94's that you couldn't cycle the action on, and model 70's with horrible barrels...

I could go on, but I think you get the point. Look, I don't really care if you think positively or negatively about T/C, truly I don't. But your decision, based on one single "bad" part, to write off an entire company seems a little poorly placed. I'm not making excuses for T/C (even though it may sound like it to you). But if you take that same thought and extend it out to every manufacturer, then you are never going to purchase any product from anyone ever again.

Just food for thought, take it for what it's worth.

I'm sorry to hear about your bout with cancer. Take this as meant with complete sincerity, I wish you a full recovery and all the best. I've had several friends have the same fight with various cancers, some have won the fight and some have lost it. I truly hope you win it.

Now I'm off to spend the rest of the day with my wife and daughter enjoying the day at a local renaissance fair. They enjoy it immensely, and we go every few years. It's not really my thing, but I go with them to spend time with them and share their experiences. This is more important than any blathering back and forth over a hobby.

Peace to you all and have a good one.

BCB · « **Reply #20 on:** March 14, 2010, 08:49:29 AM »

Slowpoke Slim,

Thank-you for your concern with my health issue. Many have been supportive…

I respect your opinion and knowledge you have acquired from your work experiences…

I have and do presently have Remingtons, Winchesters, Colts, Marlins, Rugers, and S&Ws—I guess the major company’s firearms in my possession. I can’t “badmouth” them as I have had no problems with them…

I have had a problem with T/C so that is why I am expressing my concerns. And they are concerns—not acceptable in my mind. They may make things right with me, but at my inconvenience and expense if I need send the barrel/receiver back. Of course, I will do neither…

I believe we have come to accept mediocre, and a bit less, as being O.K. That is sad and a shame…

But one thing is for sure, my surgeon, oncologist and the team of support medical personnel DON’T accept mediocre as their target of achievement. Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t be typing this…

I realize that standards of medical care are much different than standards of handgun production, but every time we lessen our expectations and feel comfortable with that compromise, we lessen our quality of life as well as others. Maybe this country has compromised too much?...

And so it goes…

BCB