22 LR problem ?

[BWE 1]

Hello
I’ve been here in the back ground for a long time, but now I have a question. A few weeks ago I traded for a contender with 3 barrels, 44 mag, 45 /410 and 22 LG all 10”. I’ve wanted a contender for years, now I’m hooked, should of done this a long time ago. The 44 and 45/410 shoot great; the 22 lr has a problem. It will not release the internal safety, just will not drop down.
It must be a barrel problem because the other 2 work fine.
What should I be looking for or I’m I doing something wrong?
Thanks

[SD Handgunner]

It is more than likely the locking lugs on the barrel. You can try coloring them with a magic marker or smoking them. Then put the barrel on the frame and open and close it a couple times. After removing the barrel you should be able to see how much coloring is worn off of the locking lugs to tell if they are seating into the frame deeply enough to allow the hammer block safety to drop.

Larry

[BWE 1]

Well I tried that Larry, marked all three, no sign of the locking lug seating at all on the 22lr. The 44 and 45 barrel both showed sign on the left side as you look down at the lug. So now what, is that spring bad, doesn't feel any different than the other two. I'm going to the range latter this week, I'll see if someone there has a frame and I'll try it in there's. Also I'll get it touch with T/C see what they say.
Thanks

[SD Handgunner]

Since the other two barrels lock up and work fine I would guess it is something with the barrel. A call to TC may get you fixed up. Good luck.

Larry

[Richard P]

  Have you swapped the bolt from one of the other barrels into the 22 barrel ? 

[BWE 1]

Great idea, should of done that a week ago, tried it, problem is the pin comes out of the 22lr fine but the other two will not move. Don't want to beat on them to much there 20 years old. I'm going to call T/C in the morning see if they will send a new lug. 'Are the new type one piece ? I did find some paperwork, looks like the set is 1989 vintage, I'm the second owner. I'm hooked now, already looking for a 223 barrel.

[Richard P]

The early ones were one piece. The newer ones are the split ones.  As you probably are aware, the bolt must extend far enough under the frame to push the interlock and allow the bar to drop so the hammer can travel fully forward.  When you accomplish that you will be able to use the barrel.

[Hopalong7]

       1989 barrel would be two piece bolt, that is if they are the original.  Right at the moment I don't recall the year that they went from one piece to two, but it was long before then.
Walt

[sbhg]

You have to fit the locking bolts (lugs ?) on custom barrels sometimes.
I had one that wouldn't drop the hammer enough also, was told to do this.
-check them as you already did.
-get a piece of sandpaper w/ fine grit, place on a piece of glass or a very flat surface.
-place lugs together, in order how they are in the barrel.
-sand them w/ light pressure, holding down w/ finger tips and moving in a figure 8 pattern.
-ONLY SAND THE BOTTOM OF THE LUGS, THE LARGER AREA SIDE. You want the lug to move down away from the barrel.
-check progress often by assembling and when closing action, close w/ a brisk snap.