[Pancho]

I received an "as new" TC 50cal round barrel carbine. I took it out back to shoot it in for deer season. After the 4th shot the under barrel rib and ramrod pipe fell off. On closer inspection the gun was deliver from the factory with ramrod screw too short. I wittnessed that someone had tried to remedy the situation with lock tite to no avail. What I really need is a longer screw.I went to my trusty thread gauges (both metric and us and could no match. I've tried calling TC and they won't answer my calls (seems they're terribly busy up since it deer season. My question for them would be what size length and thread should the rod pipe have. the one that is too short measures .38 overall and is too short to secure the pipe and the rib.
If it would help the serial number is 00240 with a side affection (bss). The gun also has written in script Buckeye carbine on the top of the barrel.
The gun shoots great(until it falls apart) and would certainly have hope of putting a nice fat doe in my freezer if I can get it back togeter
Pancho

[arcticap]

Maybe they used an underrib screw instead of a thimble screw.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Thompson-Center-T-C-New-Englander-Underrib-2-Thimbles_W0QQitemZ290361987499QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVintage_Hunting?hash=item439aec51ab

http://cgi.ebay.com/Thompson-Center-T-C-White-Mountain-Underrib-1-Thimbles_W0QQitemZ230390308152QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVintage_Hunting?hash=item35a4551d38


TC will probably contact you and either send some screws or have you send the barrel in to be fixed.
Maybe you can match up a screw from TC parts on eBay or from a well stocked hardware store?
If time doesn't permit to get it fixed before hunting season, then there's other ways to carry a ramrod.
One can be carried like an arrow in a cheap quiver across the back or attached to a belt and tied down at the hip. It's not conventional but it works, especially if it's a carbine length ramrod.
How long is the Buckeye Carbine barrel?
There are also thick, sectioned shotgun or Hoppe's black powder cleaning rods that could temporarily serve as a portable ramrod.
If a longer starter is used then the pressure placed on a cleaning rod shouldn't be too much for one to handle.
Why not send TC a letter, fax and/or email requesting more rapid assistance?

http://www.tcarms.com/customerService/contact.php

If you wish to contact us for support please send your inquiry to our mailing address:

Thompson/Center
P.O. Box 5002
Rochester, NH 03866

Our shipping address for repairs is:

Thompson/Center
400 North Main St.
Rochester, New Hampshire 03867

Or you can call us at: 603-332-2333, or fax us at: 603-332-5133

Customer Service
Email: tca_customerservice@tcarms.com
(603)-330-5659


Here's a website that offers free fax services online.

http://faxzero.com/

[Pancho]

arcticap, to be sure there are two different length screws. A shorter one that holds the ram-rod retainer clip and the longer one(.38") that was to hold the ram-rod pipe, it's too short. The problem is trying to figure out the thread of the screw. I've got both a metric and us thread gage and neither will match the threads of the suspect screw.
T.C. won't answer there phones or return calls. Time is critical.

[Chawbaccer]

Just looked, Cain's show two different screws to hold the rib on.

http://www.cainsoutdoor.com/

[arcticap]

I could only find this brass thimble screw at Cain's Outdoor for Kentucky rifles and pistols:

http://www.cainsoutdoor.com/shop/item.asp?item=16266

[Chawbaccer]

I could only find this brass thimble screw at Cain's Outdoor for Kentucky rifles and pistols:

There is a drop down, Replacement Parts, TC. as well as other manufactures.

[arcticap]

Found it, thanks.
They list 2 different rib screws for either the front or rear, and a thimble screw for the Renegade and Hawken.
But who knows if the thimble screw would fit the round barrel Buckeye Carbine? The White Mountain Carbine and New Englander screws on eBay that I listed are from TC guns that have round barrels. But honestly the eBay parts are much too expensive if only a replacement screw is needed.

http://www.cainsoutdoor.com/shop/item.asp?item=18518

http://www.cainsoutdoor.com/shop/item.asp?item=18515

http://www.cainsoutdoor.com/shop/item.asp?item=18516