Thompson quality or lack of.....

[Simpleton]

To clarify my previous post; Is it typical for the encore barrel to have a slight degree of lateral movement when applying side to side pressure on the barrel when its locked-up? Its as though the barrel lug is undersized in width or the internal walls inside the frame that surround the lug when locked-up are spaced in excess.  Its enough that I tolerate the excessive tool marks on the rifling in the new $219 .243 Encore barrel I just purchased, of course they are hidden under the copper from the test shots at the factory so you never know what your gonna get until you get home and clean the barrel.  I guess theres only one way to find out whether or not its a dud barrel, but first I need to know about the slight lateral play between the barrel and frame. Its as though Thompson Center has been spending more of its money on advertising their products in magazines and less on the quality control team. If anyone knows what I'm speaking of please share, in the meantime I will call Thompson on Tuesday. thanks

[RonF]

As far as I can tell, slight lateral play is uncorrelated with accuracy.  I have some barrels, both Contender and Encore, in which there is slight lateral play.  Most of them shoot great for me; a few don't.  I don't think it's the lateral play, but can't say for sure what it is.  Good luck with yours.

On the other matter, what do you mean by tool marks?  Nearly all new, standard rifle barrels will exhibit some tooling marks.  Shoot it and see what it does.  Also, my experience with T/C and their warranty has been positive.  I'm confident they will replace your broken stock promptly.

As for your trigger, before you get too carried away, try dry firing some, or shooting some to get rid of those tooling marks.  It will probably lighten up a bit.  Try pushing on the rear of the hammer while dry firing.  The extra pressure will burnish the mating surfaces and will probably lighten the trigger pull a bit.  Don't overdo the pressure; you could chip something.

Like it or not, the reality today is that most new guns need a bit of tuning.  Mass production keeps the prices down.  If you want all the major manufacturers to have everything butter smooth, guns are going to be priced out of the reach of most mortals, because skilled hand work is expensive.

RonF

[Skyhook]

I have a question about that 'slight bbl play'; If the lug allows movement, isn't there the real possibility the direction of movement might vary shot-to-shot? I mean, with the- let's call it "slop"- the bbl might recoil just a bit differently, don't you think??

My lug is a bit on the loose/wobbly side, also and my patterns with my .223 could be tighter.  I know my Browning A-Bolt in the .22X250 hits a very tight group (sometimes a tiny 1-holer) A 100yds. The T/C just doesn't do that well.  Just wondering.

[Thebear_78]

I have a 22-250 24" barrel on my Encore and it shoots great.  I did a little playing around to tune it up, neaopreme washers between the barrel and hte forearm to free float the barrel and already had a trigger job done on it.   It will shoot 3 shot groups under 2" at 300 yards.  This is plenty good for a rifle I will carry around more than set on a bench.  I have had several barrels and 4 encore frames over the last few years and like any other gun, some are better than others, but all of them have been able to shoot fairly well with a little tinkering.

[Simpleton]

If the  breech doesnt lock-up absolutely firmly then accuracy surely will suffer.  Even a side to side minute movement will affect the accuracy. Surely no one would tolerate a bolt action rifle that didnt lock-up firmly behind the round.

[ciscoman14]

Sell the gun and go away.......or maybe just try shooting the Da#* thing.

[5Redman8]

Trolling is only effective when they get a reaction......just do not reply to this guys posts and if you do, do not let it get under your skin.  That is their whole point.