Problem with Contender barrel

[waco]

I got a Super14 44Mag barrel in a trade. Went out to try it for the first time yesterday. Everything seems to lock-up just fine. Nothing out of the ordinary. But when you fire it, the barrel pops open all by itself.:veryconfu

Anyone run into this before? I hope its an easy fix.

The load, if it matters, was a 429421 over 19gr 2400 sized .430" and PC HF red.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Waco:cry:

[Hickok]

Waco, your load is a very good load, so I don't think that is it.

My guess is the locking lugs are not working properly for some reason. I always thought if the barrel and lugs weren't locked properly, the trigger/sear engagement wouldn't let the Contender fire, but that may not be the case. Take the barrel off and inspect the lugs for any chips or broken areas. The Contenders have a two piece locking lug, except for the older originals that were one piece.

It will be interesting to see if anyone know a fix to this problem.

[gewehrfreund]

Try some good gun grease on the lugs. If that doesn't work, some judicious polishing/stoning of the lug engagement surfaces may be in order.

[bdicki]

This might help.

http://www.bellmtcs.com/store/index.php?cid=64

[waco]

Thanks guys. I'll look into it.

[Pee Wee]

Waco, had the same problem, get the right locking bolt for you frame, depending on model, you may ned split one or one piece one.

[brtelec]

Sure makes for a fast reload though!��

[Hickok]

Sure makes for a fast reload though!��:bigsmyl2: Never thought of it that way!!!

[P Flados]

I have a 10" bull in 357 maximum that will 'self open' when combined with my older frame and loads at or above say 90%.

I read up on it and it does not seem to be a safety problem, but I found it very unsettling.

I swapped the barrel over to my newer (say 1985 vintage) frame and the problem went away.

The T/C is an absolute wonder in its ability for the end user to swap barrels.

However this issue does point to an item where wear and/or tolerances do seem to result in malfunctioning.

I just wish the factory and/or T/C gurus had a better explanation and remedy.

[mrk1500]

From what I have always read and what I practice is never put lube on a Contender

[waco]

From what I have always read and what I practice is never put lube on a Contender

Really??????

[mrk1500]

Yes sir

[mrk1500]

Go to Specialty Pistols website and do a search in the break action section for "lube contender" and there is a post 30-30 AI opening up upon firing

[Hamish]

Try some good gun grease on the lugs. If that doesn't work, some judicious polishing/stoning of the lug engagement surfaces may be in order.

DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT!, PUT ANYTHING ON THE LOCKING LUGS.

Doing so can in many cases exacerbates the unlocking problem!

Carefully read over the areas of Mike Bellms website.

Im assuming that this barrel has split locking lugs.

[Ola]

I had one (.357) that would open and spit the empty case out. Usually the case hit me in the face.

I looked for cure and did what Bellm told me: http://www.lasc.us/BellmFiresFliesOpen.htm

[waco]

I'll check this out! Thank you.

[clum553946]

Check Bellm out, might be a weak lock up spring on the barrel.

[Baja_Traveler]

My 30 Herrett did that, then I swapped out the split lugs with a set off my .22LR barrel and cured it. Unless something has changed in the past few years, there is no longer service options for these guns and parts are rare as hens teeth.

[MT Gianni]

They are currently producing new G2 frames.

[McFred]

I had a Bullberry barrel that would pop open on me once in a while on my G2. I de-greased everything and used a felt tip marker to color the barrel locking lugs. I open and shut the frame a few times on an empty chamber to check lug engagement. It was pretty clear that, in my case, the lugs only had about 25% engagement. I removed the lugs and milled ~.003" off them without changing the geometry of anything. After reassembly I repeated the felt-tip test and got about 75%+ lug engagement, tight lockup and haven't had a problem since.

If modifying/stoning the lugs makes you uncomfortable Match Grade Machine has sold me sets of spare locking lugs before. Swapping sets around between barrels might get you your fix.

FWIW I run the lugs dry too. No oil/grease. And TC/S&W are still supporting the Contenders. After ±7000 rounds my G2 hammer spring went soft and I started getting FtFs on rifle primers (pistol primers still worked). I called them up and they sent me a new spring. It was a G1 spring, but another call and another couple weeks they sent me a G2 one. Just cost me my time.

[Pinsnscrews]

They no longer have any of the Interlock parts for gen1 frames. I am thinking of seeing if I can have a machinist make me new parts.

[marshall623]

DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT!, PUT ANYTHING ON THE LOCKING LUGS.

Doing so can in many cases exacerbates the unlocking problem!

Carefully read over the areas of Mike Bellms website.

Im assuming that this barrel has split locking lugs.

X2. That's in the Contender Owners Manual.

[leadman]

Another area to check is the end of the barrel above the chamber. Sometimes the barrel hits the standing breech of the receiver and won't allow a good lock-up. Mike Bellm mentions this on his website also. I have had to file a couple of barrels because of this problem. Also causes inaccuracy.
And no lube on the locking lugs.

[Jjed]

The wife bought me a used contender frame from the store she worked at and gave it to me for Christmas, I picked up a 10 inch 357 barrel for it and it did the same thing. called tc they said to send it back to them, even though it was a used frame they fixed it no charge. can't say enough about Thompson center service.

P.S. this was about 20 years ago hope it's still the same.

[M-Tecs]

S&W is not TC when it comes to warranty work. I had a very bad experience with the S&W warranty center. TC was outstanding.

[mrk1500]

How did you make out with your issue?

[waco]

I have not had time to deal with it yet. I have been doing some reading on the issue though. My work has been keeping me too busy(56 hour weeks)

[mrk1500]

Oh man 56 hrs, I'm getting to old for that. 45 is good for me the tax man eats us up. Thanks for the update. Have a good holiday

[ebner glocken]

I did a buddy's T/C not long ago with the same problem, .22 14". About 3 minutes with a file and it worked fine.

Ebner

[mrk1500]

Any news for us? Happy holidays

[waco]

Any news for us? Happy holidays

I wish. No time. I do hope I can fix it though. Thanks for asking. Merry Christmas!

[mrk1500]

Did you figure it out?

[str8wal]

locking lugs

Not meaning to pick nits but the proper terminology is locking bolts ;-)

[SSGOldfart]

I just used my air compressor to blowout the junk in the area around the lugs,my barrel is a 10"44Rem Mag.it was new to me and I guess the last guy to use it must have had the same problem because it had been lubricated,just blowing it out took care of that one.my load not as hot as yours,but I'm getting closer every trip to the Range.

[TCLouis]

Jjed was obviously dealing with TC before they were bought out by current owners.

[BCB]

Not meaning to pick nits but the proper terminology is locking bolts ;-)

INDEED...

Good-luck...BCB

[jimb16]

Recently my G1 had a broken hammer spring. I contacted them and they sent a prepaid label via email. I sent the receiver in and it was back in a week with a new spring installed. I have no complaints about the service. I've had this contender for more than 20 years. BTW I had an unlocking problem with the .44 mag barrel with some very hot loads. I switched powders but didn't reduce the power. The problem disappeared. The different powder apparently changed the recoil characteristics and the action didn't open any more!