What Do I DO? Volquartsen Barrel Not Going In
- Thread starter Orion8472
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irishlad
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irishlad
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Orion8472
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l'm having to get an account at rimfirecentral......but when I just attempted to set up a new user account, they said a code was sent to my email....but it wasn't. Info is correct. Maybe I'll try later.
But I have not had success with the methods they came up with....and I THINK it is because Thompson Center didn't use a barrel thickness that's the same as Ruger. I did a caliper test and it was about .010 thickness difference. The part of the barrel that goes into the upper receiver has the same diameter as the diameter of the receiver hole,...but the barrel will not go in...and I suspect that it is because the Volquartsen is a larger barrel.
I did a test on my Ruger 10/22, and though it was a tad bit tight in that rifle, it went in. So I'm thinking Thompson Center uses non-standard measurements and parts. I already found this out when I attempted to put an aftermarket trigger in it. Holes were not in the same spot.
But I have not had success with the methods they came up with....and I THINK it is because Thompson Center didn't use a barrel thickness that's the same as Ruger. I did a caliper test and it was about .010 thickness difference. The part of the barrel that goes into the upper receiver has the same diameter as the diameter of the receiver hole,...but the barrel will not go in...and I suspect that it is because the Volquartsen is a larger barrel.
I did a test on my Ruger 10/22, and though it was a tad bit tight in that rifle, it went in. So I'm thinking Thompson Center uses non-standard measurements and parts. I already found this out when I attempted to put an aftermarket trigger in it. Holes were not in the same spot.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Polish the shank, standard operating procedure. Oil it and tap it on. Don't force it, you'll crack the receiver.
Howland937
Member
The smaller diameter part that fits into the receiver.
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Orion8472
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The dimensions of both the shank and the receiver hole are the same. The diameter of the barrel is too large for the retaining block. This is the measurement that was much larger on the Volquartsen barrel as opposed to the OEM barrel dimension.
LiveLife
Member
I would call Volquartsen customer service.
My T/CR22 readily accepted stock 10/22 barrel and KSA bull barrel without any issue - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...izing-22lr-on-the-cheap.898035/#post-12124035
Of course stock T/CR22 barrel made by S&W went in snug without issue.
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CraigC
Sixgun Nut
The barrels are supposed to be tight and are intentionally made very slightly oversized, due to variations between receivers. I've built dozens of these and nearly every one required polishing to get the barrels to fit.
Your computer might have sent the email to the Junk file. Check it out.
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Orion8472
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Which part would I polish?The receiver?
Txhillbilly
Member
Sounds like a little bit of sanding will need to take place.
Txhillbilly
Member
You could also put the barrel in the freezer for a few hours, and heat up the front of the receiver. That will allow the barrel tennon to shrink a little, and the receiver to expand a little.
This sort of thing is not uncommon with ARs as well. You should heat the receiver up, and I don't mean with a hair dryer or heat gun. I use a torch. Either that, or I'll stick the receiver in the oven. The oven is probably the safer bet if you've never done it before. Start at 250-300 and see what that gets you.
LiveLife
Member
Did you ever call Volquartsen customer service and ask what they suggest?
If you have other 10/22 or compatible receivers available, you could try test fitting the barrel to see if the barrel is oversized or T/CR22 receiver is too tight (FWIW, my T/CR22 receiver was on par with my 10/22 receiver and accepted KSA bull barrel snug without issue).
If barrel turns out to be slightly on the larger size, you may end up having the same problem. And if that's the case, I am certain Volquartsen would offer to machine the barrel for proper fit.
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LiveLife
Member
Then you may want to contact Thompson Center/S&W customer service.
LiveLife
Member
Because you have nothing to lose and members have reported positive response/help from contacting customer service.
You posted that T/CR22 receiver "isn't to spec" and tried suggestions of freezing the barrel and heating up the receiver without success.
There are manufacturing tolerances/range each manufacturer operates under. Your T/CR22 receiver maybe towards the "tighter" manufacturing tolerances while Volquartsen barrel could be towards "larger" tolerances. Posing your problem to both customer services may result in solution options, starting with Volquartsen verifying outer diameter of the barrel at chamber end.
Personally, I think the solution rests with reducing OD of the barrel so it can be inserted into the receiver and why I suggested you contact Volquartsen customer service first in post #10 - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...sen-barrel-not-going-in.919089/#post-12631949
Keep in mind that aftermarket "match" grade parts in the past were made slightly oversized so gunsmith could do some "fitting" to make mated parts tight as pointed out by other members. When I installed Wilson Combat beavertail grip safety on my 1911 GI model pistol, it took me 4 hours with diamond hand files to "fit" the grip safety to the frame.
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