T/C early 45colt(only) barrel,w/bottom allen screw,any info?

[oddshooter]

I really like my T/C's.  They are right at home shooting Silhouette at longer distances. 
I have been trying to get this 45 colt barrel to fit my 320,000 SN Contender (no go - too tight opening).  

The barrel has the single piece locking bolt and no step on the bottom of the lug (like my others).
It also has an allen screw to remove the locking bolt.  It is not pinned.  Internet posts and photos do not show this iteration.
The lug has different angle and length on the bottom corner. 60%not 45%, and 1/8" not 1/4".

It was first impossible to open without pulling the pivot pin.
It is now close after cleaning and polishing.  All my other barrels open with a double hand squeeze and a good strong flip downward.

This barrel is chambered for the 45 colt only in that the chamber is not cut to accept a longer 410 shell as well.  I thought that would help accuracy in that there would be no 45c bullet jump to get to the rifling.

Can anyone tell me anything about this barrel?  age?  built for what age frame?
Should it fit? 
Accurate?
if not fixable, tradeable?  who?


Prescut
PS anyone have an extra split locking bolt?  can't find one.  Help !
 

[JM]

If you don't receive a reply here, you might try: www.reedercustomguns.com

[jsh]

The screw holding the bolt in is an early one. I had all but forgotten about them to be honest.
If your other solid bolts are working, it may be worth a try to just swap them around and see what happens.
Match Grade Machine, EAB Co, or Mike Bellm may have bolts on hand.
When TC's customer service was still serving folks, a quick email or call would get you what you wanted. I used to switch hammer springs every year, glad I kept all the used ones.
I will look and see if I have an extra bolt, if I do I will let ya know.
Jeff

I was gifted a "messed" up TC barrel a long time ago. It would not lock up. The bolt had been replaced, up side down.

[oddshooter]

thanks for the suggestions.

JSH
Do you recall if that original barrel would fit later frames? The bottom of the lug has a tiny step in all the barrels I have for the contender. This original does not.

I don't see the bottom resting on anything in the frame, so I am tempted to see if I can just polish off .001".

I'm surprised, but after cleaning and polishing it closes fairly nice. Even more of a surprise, but it is pretty close to opening correctly now as well. It's still requires a strong tap on my thick rubber mat to get unlocked.

I talked to Kurt Bellm and it was no go on spare split locks.  Phenomenally nice guy.

I also got a return authorization from S&W.  The guy I spoke with had no clue.  He said send the gun in and the barrels and we will fix you up.  When I asked what that meant, he didn't know.  I have read of 2 month waiting periods and gunsmiths of unknown experience.  I also have read they wanted $60 per barrel.  I have 5.  This option was a no go for me.  The 5 work perfectly now.  The new one doesn't.