Loose MGM Contender Barrel

[jmoore]

Finally tried a new to me MGM barrel on a couple of Contender frames. Hard to close, guessing strong locking blocks spring, but it's got a lot of side to side wobble when closed. Rattle-y almost! Didn't have much time to play with it further, but it may be that the blocks are short on protrusion, possibly 0.020"? Have had "too tight" in the past, such that the thing wouldn't close properly, but this is a new one on me. Any suggestions as to investigating further or correcting?

Thanks!

[35isit]

What is it chambered in? Try it with known good loads for the cartridge it's chambered for.

[contender1121]

I would think the only way it could wiggle side to side would be worn pin hole. Bellm sells over-size pins.

[braud357]

The only time I have seen this was because of a "stretched" frame (from excessive loads). I would contact MGM - I am sure that they would check it out for you !

[jmoore]

Caliber .300 BO.
Got dies ordered and some gas checked lead bullets in the works.
Seems unlikely that both frames tried so far would be stretched. The hinge pins on both fit tight in the frame. I suppose I could make some side shims if everything else turns out OK. Don't know if it would help the shooting, but it just feels weird when the support hand can notice the slop pretty easily. Don't need the distraction!

[contender1121]

Are you positive that it's somewhere in the hinge and not a slightly loose grip?

[dhagerty40x]

ok, First thing is that MGM barrels do not fully match factory specs. We have already found out that the Bolts used in the MGM barrels are not the same as Factory and they use a Much heavier spring than factory. We tried installing factory bolts on my Encore MGM barrel and they do not fit. Problem with mine is the Bolts are too soft on my MGM and already showing wear after less than 300 Rounds through the barrel.

an easy check for a stretched frame is to look at the side of the frame sideways and if it is stretched, you will see a ripple in it. a small ripple is fine, but if it is very noticeable, it may be too badly stretched. But since you said it was loose on 2 frames, doubt it is that.

I suspect the Pin hole may be too large, or the barrel is out of specs. There should be no play when the action is closed! too much play could damage the frame over time.

MGM released this statement:

Since Smith and Wesson purchased T/C there has been a dramatic decline in product support of T/C products. This affects thousands of people, including us here at Match Grade Machine. T/C products owners and registered dealers alike are forced to look elsewhere for replacement parts, and we are among the top on the call list after they've been let down. Unfortunately, our parts are not 100% duplicates of the factory originals. In fact, ours are further optimized to be stronger, therefore more reliable. These alterations limit our parts to only our barrels. This is why we can't sell you the crucial extractor when your factory offering bends, but we can assure you the best possible parts in our barrels instead.

[jmoore]

Are you positive that it's somewhere in the hinge and not a slightly loose grip?

Yah. Swapped some TC barrels to check both frames. Both quite tight! There's a third frame still to be checked. (And to think I don't even like Contenders...)

[jmoore]

The third frame (stainless) seems to be not nearly so loosey-goosey! But dang! It's really hard to open, which is basically the same for all of them. Not the best introduction to MGM barrels.

Hopefully the bullets will show up soon, so testing can commence with this beastie. Probably won't be ready for this month's BB match, though.

[35isit]

Before you condemn the barrel or the frame try some "normally" good silhouette loads in it. I have three MGM barrels .22, 25-20 and 7tcu. They flop around on my frame like a fish out of water. While I don't shoot the tcu very well it is perfect score adequate. The .22 if you miss with it. It's your fault. Same goes for the 25-20. I use the hinge pin that came with the frame. I don't know how old it is but all the blue is scraped off of it.