Author Topic: "top hat" forend nut question (Read 1249 times)

Lee H. · « **on:** February 17, 2011, 03:02:20 PM »

I recently purchased a 10" octagon contender barrel in 45 ACP. It doesn't have the forend nut in the dovetail. Are there different size/configurations in top hat nuts, or they all the same? Where could I get one? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Lee H.

Curtis · « **Reply #1 on:** February 17, 2011, 03:53:00 PM »

Actually, what is referred to as the "top hat" is the bushing that goes in the old style forends. What I think you are talking about is described as a "dovetail lock" and as far as I know there is only one configuration. I bought some extras a while back, I think I got them from T/C.

Curtis

David D. · « **Reply #2 on:** February 17, 2011, 03:59:08 PM »

As far as I know all the factory barrels take the same dove tail lock, but there is difference between them and some of the custom barrel builders.

Lee H. · « **Reply #3 on:** February 18, 2011, 03:00:59 PM »

Thanks for the replies, and thanks for the correct terminology. Dovetail lock it is. I have seen other forums then someone uses a wrong term (such as clip instead of magazine) and gets skinned alive by some of the posters. Thanks for the gentle correction. One would hardly make the clip / magazine mistake on a single shot forum anyway.

Thanks,
Lee H.

Curtis · « **Reply #4 on:** February 18, 2011, 03:28:08 PM »

Quote

One would hardly make the clip / magazine mistake on a single shot forum anyway.

LOL, yeah I think I'll use a speed loader instead!

Curtis

Keith L · « **Reply #5 on:** February 19, 2011, 02:28:58 AM »

What a great idea: a speed loader for one round...

Curtis · « **Reply #6 on:** February 19, 2011, 08:34:22 AM »

Yeah Keith, I'd better file a patent before someone beats me to it! ha ha ha ha

Ladobe · « **Reply #7 on:** February 19, 2011, 09:36:50 AM »

TC does call them a dovetail lock and they are a pretty good system for the bulk of Contender, G2 and Encore barrels. But I have had them "shoot loose" on the heavier handcannons that got a lot of use. Staked them for a while, but they'd sometimes shot loose again. Eventually I went to having them welded and never had the problem again. Worst idea TC had IMO for forend mounting was the snap-on forends. Even mid range cartridges would eventually lead to a loose forend. You could bend the ball screws catch to tighten them back up, but once they had failed the first time that fix wouldn't last very long before they'd be loose again. The early carbine barrels with only one mounting screw were another bad idea fixed when they went to two. Even so custom hanger bars became my go to system decades ago for forend mounting. I no longer used factory furniture anymore except on 10" octagon barrels (and they too were replaced by Pachy's w/bars).