Closing the pan/lock to barrel gap

[Tim Ault]

I got a TC. Pa. hunter model 50 cal  little while ago when it arrived I did a quick once over of it and put it away till yesterday  was looking closer at things and noticed there is a fairly large gap between the barrel and the pan/lock below the flash hole , easily large enough to loose powder from the pan.  I know how to fix it if I was building it but I don't want to mess with as it is now .  So tell me if my planned fix would have any issues . What I plan on is using a good epoxy and a either brass or stainless shim of the proper thickness and attack to the side of the lock to fill that hidious gap . I could braze or sodder  but I really ain't that good at brazing .  So anyone see any issues  with my plan .

Thanks , Tim

[gunmaker]

Good a plan as any.  I did that once because mainspring hit bottom of barrel.  Use a low temp. solder paste like Alpha 475 deg. Or similar, disassemble lock make a shim clamp heat--done....Tom

[Tim Ault]

Thanks for the reply Tom.  I see you mention the sodder paste  do you think there's an issue using a  temp tolerant epoxy  instead ? Easier to find locally for me. .

Tim

[gunmaker]

No Ace hardwares ? thats where I been getting Alpha solder paste in a tube.  Other brands on amazon as well. Try epoxy--can't hurt, just want to make the plate bolster thicker....Tom

[beowulf]

jb weld would be a good choice , mixes up fairly thick , not runny , and once it starts to set up you can work it down to fit !

[Patocazador]

Just bite the bullet and inlet the lock properly. You'll be happier in the end. 

[beowulf]

Just bite the bullet and inlet the lock properly. You'll be happier in the end. 

this is true !

[hotfxr]

Just bite the bullet and inlet the lock properly. You'll be happier in the end. 

this is true !

What they said. Had the same problem on a pistol and tried the fill method. It worked but I was never really happy with it, so I slowly and carefully worked the lock inlet deeper until it fit properly. In the end, it was easier and took less time to cut the inlet than it did trying to fill the gap and make it look right.