Contender Barrel Compatibility Non Easy Open Frame

[leapin]

Hi Guys,

This is probably a newbie question - its caused a little confusion in my addled mind!

My Contender is an old style Non Easy Open Frame. I was under the impression that all Contender barrels were usable on the older frame style. Here is a quote from a comment on Cast Boolits board:

" the original guns locking block was solid and shorter than the locking block of the easy open gun. The barrels will not interchange with the original blocks on them!

A pre easy open barrel will not lock on an easy open frame. More important an easy open barrel will lock and NEVER OPEN on a pre easy open gun!"

I guess I'm asking for a second opinion.

I know that I could have TC do the easy open mod for the very reasonable sum of $55. Problem is that
in KKKalifornia I would need to go through an FFL to have the gun returned to me!

Any comments on the barrel question would be appreciated.

[Keith L]

Here is a quote from a comment on Cast Boolits board:

" the original guns locking block was solid and shorter than the locking block of the easy open gun. The barrels will not interchange with the original blocks on them!

A pre easy open barrel will not lock on an easy open frame. More important an easy open barrel will lock and NEVER OPEN on a pre easy open gun!"

I would never question the expertise of Internet experts.  I can only share my experience.  I have pre-easy open, easy open and G2 frames as well as barrels from all generations.  All my barrels work on all my frames, and I change them around as I wish.  I have had to polish the mating surfaces on some of the locking bolts, but it has never been a big deal.

I will need to make sure my Contender stuff never hears that it won't work.  That would be a shame.

[Slowpoke Slim]

Nice one Keith,

I only have one frame, it's the same vintage as yours leapin. I have a couple of barrels from the same era as my frame, I have 2 custom barrels - one with split lugs and one with a solid lug, and I have multiple current production barrels (carbine and handgun) with split lugs. All my barrels fit my frame with no problems what so ever. Several of my barrels were bought here on GBO, and they too, all mate up, lock up, fire, and unlock just fine on my pre-easy open frame. I have not had to do anything to my frame or my barrels, nor have I even had to polish or replace any locking lugs.

I guess I just got lucky??

leapin,

Try any "new" barrel on your frame when you get it. You may be surprised to find that it works fine, which was the original intent of the Contender system to begin with. Sometimes it really does work out that way...

[leapin]

Thanks guys

Leapin

[Incitatus]

Before we leave this topic could someone tell me what a split lug is?


Thanks.

[mbk]

Locking lugs are also called locking bolts by some.  They are the spring loaded projections on the back end of your barrels that compress then spring back to hold your barrel in place when closed.  The early barrels had locking lugs that were all one piece, a later vintage had lugs that were split down the center longways which made them easier to open on some frames.  There is a more currrent production locking lug that the clyinder shaped projections on the side of the lugs are acually a seperate peice resembling a dumbell that sets in in a groove across both of the split lugs, hence a three peice locking lug.  I currently have five contender frames all varying vintages of production.  I have had very early one peice (solid) locking lugs lock a barrel in place on newer generation frames and you could not open it by pulling the trigger guard.  If that happens to you it is not a big deal to fix just a major annoyance.  Pop out the trigger group pins and remove the trigger group.  Then using a lug retracting tool (small flat blade screwdriver) you can pry the lugs (gently) back against the spring in the barrel and the barrel will open.  You have two options, replace the solid lug with either of the split style lugs or better yet just buy another frame of earlier vintage and you will be ready for any future barrels with the solid lugs.  Everbody need mutiple frames and it is a good excuse to buy another one 

Mike

[Keith L]

I call them bolts because that is what the factory calls them.  It makes it easier to be understood if we stick to the standard.

[hunterspistol]

     Keith, you're probably more right than wrong. They should be called locking bolts simply because the barrel lug is what the hinge pin goes through.  I have more than one easy-open frame and just don't mess with the solid bolts anymore.  As said above, they lock down hard, I generally trade them off rather than tinker with them.  It's just so much easier to use the new split bolts. 
      You see, that's opposite what was said, but true. It's more in the fit of the locking bolts to frame than anything. I've only had trouble with that on some HotShot special edition barrels and then, I wonder if they hadn't been changed out. Every factory and Custom Shop barrel I've purchased has worked wonderfully though.

[VaPredHunter]

I have a 1970 model Contender frame and everytime I want to put a new barrel on it I have to send it with the barrel to TC. I have also had the easy open convertion done to the frame and they still won't fit. Newer barrels will not close if I place the pin in with the barrel in the closed position it will not open.

[DEACONLLB]

I have 12 contender frames and have only had a problem with one of the frames. It will only open with the barrel that came on it, no other barrel will open, split lug,solid lug,have tried many barrels on this frame and still will open only with the barrel that came with it. works perfect with the one that came with it  Figure that one out.
Deaconllb