Need a Little help from experts

[revbc]

My ole maxi 357 with a hand fitted barrel, began to pop open on me last week or so.  Been through the Pop open medicine in faqs, several times.  I have about a good 1/8" pattern all the way across on the latch shelf.  When this started all happening I installed a stronger latch spring, it did not affect the pop open.

Noticed that after it started popping open, the latch lever was rattling when opened.  So with good advice from others, began looking for a broken latch.  Pulled the whole thing down, could not see any physical damage to the latch or lever.  The transfer bar and spring look in great shape.

Reassembled everything.......It all seemed to work fine, however; latch lever still rattling with seemingly excessive slack when open.  Installed the barrel with a nice clunk and no slack.  However, now the latch seems too low and does not have enough movement to unlock the barrel    Lost some motion somewhere.  It's a simple mechanical device, surely not up to par with a 4L60E auto tranny and all it's parts.  Got me stumped at the moment though.

Any thoughts?
Bobby

[bucmeister]

Not an expert, but am interested in the thread since I recall that you had reamed a 35 Rem to a 356 Win and am guessing this is the rifle you are having the problem with. 

You say that when the action is open there is rattle/slack in the release button, what about when the action is locked up?  From what I have read in articles about fitting a barrel there should be a bit of loose movement in the button when the action is locked.  If there is no slack then the release mechanism is not allowing the latch to engage without restriction.

I will follow this closely before reaming mine.  Hope you get it resolved easily and quickly as I know this kind of stuff can be super aggravating.

[cwlongshot]

OK,

Lets back up... It was fine until it wasn't. What changed, what did you do? Something happened.

All the rattling latch talk tells me you had it fit a bit too tightly. Meaning the latch was at rest near the top or full arch of its motion. The latch SHOULD rattle. That's how they are built. Another discription, If the latch barely engages the latch will rattle little if the latch engages allot the latch will rattle allot. As you depress it you remove the slack as the spring is pushing against your thumb. If the latch catches quickly there isn't much room for movement.

The pop opening as you likely read is most often oil on shelf. Otherwise it's engagement or maybe weak spring. You got spring covered and likely removed oil/cleaned latch. So look at your engagement. Dykem soot or even magic marker should show you how much you have.

You can but latches is +sizes for easier fitting. There was a thread on this couple weeks back. Tim commented about them as I did not even know they where avalible. Hopefully he will comment.

CW

[revbc]

Buc-- No this is not my 356.  It was a factory fit 35 rem barrel,no problems with it.

CW-- Yes, it just started..........all of a sudden.  Nothing new was done, it had a few hundred rounds through it with no problems.  Shot excellent.  No oil on latch, been through all the stuff.

What puzzles me........is it is all back together the same way it came apart, and now there is not enough movement in the latch to open the barrel.  Cannot get it open, will have to knock out pins to release it.

Latch engagement seems great. 

[cwlongshot]

Bobby,

I think you have a broken or bent part. Maybe take a good working action apart and compaire.

CW

[bikerbeans]

The latch lever engages a notch on the top of the latch.  there are 2 notches on the latch so your lever is probably in the wrong notch.  The other notch is for the T-bar spring.
 
BB

[revbc]

BB-- Pretty positive it's installed correctly.  I am aware of the lever notch and spring notch, used a slave pin to install the assembly (latch, transfer bar, spring).

CW-- I think something like you said, bent or something I missed seeing. 

[bucmeister]

Rev Bobby,

Yeah, I should have reread your original post more closely before posting my response to see the Maxi, my mistake.

Hope you get it figured out soon.  The odd thing is the out of the blue onset. 

Glad the guys with much handi experience (experts) have jumped in on this, now I will just sit back and try to learn.

[revbc]

I need to follow CW's advice and pull another one down and compare.  Just don't want to right now in the beginning of deer season.  Gotta go "chootem"

I did get it to open, had to mash all the way down really hard and it will open.  Something changed when I put it back together.  Wonder if the latch lever could have been in the wrong notch when I fit the barrel, and now in the correct notch with a lever motion change?

[quickdtoo]

Perhaps the latch lever needs to be replaced?  Maybe Brian56 needs to lay his magic hands on it. 

Tim

[gcrank1]

Take about 1/2 hr to knock it down, inspect and reassemble in the 'looser' notch; ya know its just gonna eat on your mind until ya do!