Barrel Reciever Fit Question?

[JAM66]

I posted thison the "CVA Rifles" Forum , But I think the guys here have been at this longer  so I will post it here because the NEF Handi's are very similar.
I recently purchase a CVA Optima Stalker rifle from Dicks in .223. When I got it home and inspected it closer, I noticed when the barrel locks up to the reciever , there is an obvious gap on the right side between the barrel and reciever frame. You can slide a piece of paper( maybe thicker) between the barrel and reciever about half way in. It appears to lock up with no movement , but the rear of the barrel is in contact with the reciever only on the left side. Will this effect accuracy or anything?

[MSP Ret]

Our good friend and expert Larry (trotterlg) may see this and answer. The short answer is yes, how much is another question. For a hunting gun for deer at only 100 yards or so it may not be a big deal but for real accuracy it should be square and snug. Before you do anythig else read through the FAQ's and shoot about 50-100 rounds for a baseline.....<><....

[gendoc]

joe, i'd take it back.... there is lotsa things that can come out of the gap to harm you or people standing by.
if you ever have a primer fault from either a bad primer or a hot load (pierced primer)....fire and gas could be in your face along with primer metal.  

[quickdtoo]

If it's built like the Optima Elite, it probably won't make any difference, the OE built is like the TC Encore and has a solid hinge as opposed to the H&R which is open. My OE has a gap with some barrels and shoots fine and my previous TC Encore 375H&H barrel had a huge gap which created excess headspace, but wasn't a problem once the brass was formed so there was no excess headspace. Shoot it and see how it does. 

Tim

[JAM66]

Here are some pictures, I would prefer if the headspace was kept to a minimum, I hope to get good accuracy out of factory ammo,. How does the closed hinge help?

[quickdtoo]

The biggest advantage is the barrel doesn't have to fit tight to the standing breech to lock up solidly like on an H&R, the lock up on them isn't dependent on barrel face to standing breech fit, the closed hinge holds the underlug tight in the frame.

Tim