Thompson/Center Info

[Bill from NJ]

Hello Gentlemen,

I am in need of information with your vast expertise.

I have a Thomson/Center Hawken .45 cal percussion 1:48 twist, 15/16".

I want to get a new Green Mountain drop in replacement barrels in:

.45 cal perc. 1:60 twist and .54 cal 1:70 twist, both in 15/16".

Anyone here use or have used this replacement for their rifle?

All I want is to shoot patch and round ball accurately.

What say you?

[DEADDAWG]

Bill,

I've got the GM IBS barrel in 50 cal. After cleaning and break in, it's a tack driver. You will probably need to fit the breech hook to the tang, but that's minor. One thing you need to be aware of is the fact that it will be a little nose heavy with that extra 4 inches of barrel hanging out there.

Rick

[roundball]

I've used a number of GM drop-in barrels for T/C Hawkens, both 15/16" and 1" barrels.

Due to minor variations in T/C stock dimensions over the years, you may experience a couple of things:

1) The barrel won't lay fully down into the brass nose cap because it's just an eyelash too long out of specs and the back end of the under rib hits the nosecap...just remove the underrib and file off 1/16" to 1/8" of the rib and reinstall...if you have a tube of Birchwood Casey's bluing paste, dab that on a few times but it you don't it really doesn't matter as you can't see it when its in the stock.

2) The wedge pin tenon of a GM barrel is not dovetailed in place...it's mounted on the bottom flat with screws, resulting in it hanging down lower than a T/C tenon, and you may find that it blocks the ramrod from sliding all the way in.  The good news is that the tenon is very thick metal and you can usually file off 1/16" with a file or belt sander so it doesn't hang down so low and the ramrod will then clear it.

3) Every one of my GM barrels are excellent performers...and generally speaking look very good...however, when you look closely you'll note that they don't have the high quality polished fit & finish of a T/C barrel...no biggie, just be prepared for that.

4) When you remove the adjustable rear sight assembly you'll find that the 2 holes in the sight base don't line up with the 2 predrilled holes in the barrel so they only use one screw to mount the rear sight...suggest you remove and reinstall it with a couple drops of Loc-Tite.